14 movies that lived up to the hype

It’s common for a highly anticipated movie to not meet expectations.

We see it every year, particularly with overhyped summer blockbusters that end up falling flat on their face. Some movies, however, are able to not only meet the hype, but exceed it.

With Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday looking like they’ll be worth the wait, it seems like the right time to take a trip down memory lane with some highly anticipated movies that lived up to the hype.

Jurassic Park

It’s remarkable how well Jurassic Park still holds up today.

The special effects blow most modern day movies out of the water. Seeing them back in the early ’90s for the first time literally took our breath away.

Terminator 2

Speaking of special effects, Terminator 2 also delivers, even if they haven’t necessarily aged as well.

Following in the direct footsteps of one of the best action movies of all time, Terminator 2 is not only a worthwhile sequel, but a film that absolutely exceeds the hype. It’s a shame the trailers spoiled the twist of Arnold being the good guy this time.

Aliens

Speaking of great sequels, Aliens takes Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror classic and gives it a new pair of shoes.

In a way, it’s fitting that this, along with Terminator 2, were both James Cameron films. The man clearly knows how to deliver an unforgettable action thrill ride.

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Dr. Strangelove

Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 masterpiece does an excellent job with its performances, subtle humor, and tantalizing dialogue.

One of the things that makes Kubrick such an acclaimed filmmaker is his ability to deliver an unforgettable experience, regardless of genre. Say what you want about the rest of his filmography; this is the one that will most impress you.

The Matrix

You just really had to be there.

There was nothing like the build-up for The Matrix. Then again, there was nothing like The Matrix at the time. Come for the mind-blowing visual effects, stay for the action. This movie still rocks today.

The Dark Knight

There was a lot of hype around the 1989 Batman film, and Tim Burton’s adaptation delivers. That said, the hype leading into The Dark Knight made it look like child’s play.

The Dark Knight holds up surprisingly well, especially considering how much the comic book movie has changed since its release. Nolan not only paid homage to the source material, but to the crime and heist genre as a whole, and it shows.

Heat

One of the films that heavily inspired The Dark Knight was Michael Mann’s 1995 epic Heat.

The star-studded cast impresses even today. Then again, that’ll happen when Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share top billing. What makes Heat so impressive, though, is how revolutionary it still feels today.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

| Outrun Gaming — Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

There was no way the trilogy would end on a down note, right? Right.

The Return of the King is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to one of the most beloved fantasy epics of all time. I mean, we knew it would be since we read the books, but Peter Jackson’s adaptation delivers a worthy conclusion.

Paddington 2

Paddington? The animated bear? Is it that good of a movie?

Honestly, yes. Moviegoers and critics rarely agree, but here’s one time they do. The film has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A grade on CinemaScore.

Avengers: Infinity War

There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people to see if we could become something more, so when they needed us, we could fight the battles that they never could.

After a decade of build-up and anticipation, Infinity War followed through on the impossible: adapting a true-blue major comic saga to the big screen. Here’s to hoping Doomsday can do the same.

Casablanca

Enough with the modern movies; let’s talk some classics for a second.

Casablanca is one of those films you always hear about, and you always hear about how it’s a timeless classic. No way it’s that good, you tell yourself, right? Well, here’s to looking at you, kid. Casablanca remains as iconic, gripping, and beautiful today as it did back in 1942.

The Godfather Part II

The Godfather is regarded as one of the best films ever made. Then came the sequel two years later and, arguably, is the superior film.

Francis Ford Coppola took the extra creative control he was given and ran with it, delivering an unforgettable masterpiece that remains worthy of every ounce of praise it’s ever received.

Jaws

The original summer blockbuster. Jaws still scares film fans old and new today.

There’s a reason why showings of Jaws where moviegoers are watching from the water remain popular. It’s an experience unlike any other. Oh, and that’s also a pretty cool way to watch the movie, too.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Sony’s track record with Spider-Man outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, other than the Sam Raimi films, is, well… not great.

So when they announced an animated film, there were some questions. Upon release, those questions turned into universal praise for its art style, action, and story. All of it delivers, and I say that as someone who waited far too long to watch the movie. This is pure movie magic from start to finish.

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