8 Movies That Are Cheesy In The Best Way

Let's face it, none of us need more stress in our lives right now. For everyone's sake, I've compiled a list of movies perfect for your next lazy night in, when your mind needs a break.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey Series (2015, 2017, 2018)

Universal Pictures

I'm aware this one has shown up on lists like this a few times and for good reason! The romantic aesthetic and crimson colors featured in every movie in this series are, in my opinion, the perfect backdrop to this dramatic romance, making the series still very watchable while also being perfectly over-the-top. Who could help but laugh out loud with lines like, "you're not putting that in my butt," delivered with a straight face? Maybe its the teenage girl in me, but I get a great deal of enjoyment out of the outlandish scene of Christian casually telling Anna to "lose him," when they're being aggressively chased by a possibly homicidal maniac down a Seattle back road. My own response would probably be more akin to fighting the urge to pee my pants, rather than her flirty smile and a quick rev the engine, but that's what makes these movies so great!

2. After We Collided (2020)

Voltage Pictures / Via afterwecollided.net

I realize I'll probably get some flack from diehard book fans on this one but bear with me. I love me a good romantic stereotype, and much like Fifty Shades, the visuals and all-star cast maintain this movie's watch-ability, however, most viewers would have to agree with me that the way these beloved tropes present themselves feels slightly out of place at times, making for a few fun laughs where it probably wasn't intended. In the end it's all in good fun!

3. Roadhouse (1989)

MGM/United Artists

Ultimately you can't have a list like this without spanning the genres, and cheesy is an action movie staple. Being a child of the early '90s, Roadhouse was a movie I knew of only peripherally until one night out of boredom my husband and I decided to give it a go. We were not disappointed. The mixture of the stereotypical '80s villain, you know the rich guy who drives the fast car down the middle of the road and beats on his town's honest working man, and a premise that has you saying "what?" the whole time, it's a can't-miss. When you're done watching please come back and tell me if you're as confused as I was by the existence of famous...bar bouncers?

4. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)

Miramax Films

Most people consider this one to be a throwaway movie, but give it a chance, or at least give sweaty salsa dancing Diego Luna a chance. Yet another movie full of tired stereotypes that made the chances of blockbuster success non-existent, you can still get enjoyment out of the retro feel, cameo performance by '00s queen Maya during the quintessential dance scene at the end, and even Tuck Everlasting himself Jonathan Jackson appearing as the rich bad boy.

5. Bad Ben (2016)

Amazon Prime

For a late-night discovery on Amazon Prime, I couldn't believe how much I actually enjoyed watching this movie. Yet another found-footage horror flick, this one has some decent jump scares and keeps you on the edge of your seat with its refusal to show you any real villain. What landed it on this list is the intentionally insufferable lead, Tom Riley, a frumpy middle-aged man who spends the majority of the movie yelling "this is my freaking house," at the said entity, like the "ghost" gives a damn that his name is on the deed. One way or another you won't be disappointed.

6. Camp Rock (2008)

Disney

Yes I really included a DCOM, but this one holds a special place because of the pure '00s nostalgia that is Joe Jonas with flat-ironed hair and white skinny jeans. Couple your typical uber-wholesome Disney plotline with some rather questionable talents (was Alyson Stoner's character supposed to be a DJ?) and it's basically a cringe-worthy time capsule holding all your worst high school style choices.

7. The Other Woman (2014)

20th Century Fox

I'm not sure "cheesy" is really the right way to explain this movie since to me it's a complete masterpiece. Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, and Jaime Lannister himself?!?! There is no better cast. Set in a beautiful New York City summer complete with a slow-motion run on the beach and the absolute amazement that it's a group of badass women teaming up, this movie is the perfect light watching when you need a pick-me-up. If you haven't already, give it a chance!

8. Isn't It Romantic (2019)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Another movie that is a pure vacation for the mind, this has all the trappings of a romcom with a way better sense of humor. Rebel Wilson's down-to-earth delivery of the clumsy female protagonist and an unbelievably big New York City closet make this movie perfect for a night when you just want to fall asleep in front of the tv.