17 Actors Whose Performances Completely Saved What Otherwise Would've Been "Meh" Movies

"It's ridiculous and pretty dumb when you think about it, but the cast makes it so much fun you don’t care."

Recently, on my personal favorite subreddit, r/movies, redditor u/TotallyUnbiased666 asked, "What movies should have sucked, but the actors made it great?" and movie lovers really came through with some A+ answers.

So, with that in mind, here are just a few of the most popular responses shared:

1. Deadpool (2016)

Joe Lederer/TM & ©Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

"It's hard to imagine it being nearly as good as it is without Ryan Reynolds. I honestly don't know who else could even come close to filling that role."

—u/FirstLeftDoor

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

2. Fighting with My Family (2019)

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures / ©MGM/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

"It probably would've just been an average sports movie without Florence Pugh!"

—u/pi_face_ 

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

MGM / Via youtube.com

3. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

"That movie is as cliché as it gets. A sarcastic, trouble-making cop? It's been done a million times. Eddie Murphy is the reason it stands out as one of the best."

—u/TotallyUnbiased666

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

4. Superbad (2007)

Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

"I feel like on paper, it should have just been another forgetful teen party movie, but the cast and creators really all came together nicely."

—u/gahgah_

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Columbia Pictures / Via youtube.com

5. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Alan Rickman turned this into something worth watching. Honestly, Kevin Costner's English accent — or lack there of — should've ruined it, but against Alan Rickman, it just seems to work."

—u/christopia86

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

6. Face/Off (1997)

Buena Vista Pictures / ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

"It's hard to imagine being good without Nicolas Cage and John Travolta."

—u/farfetchedfrank

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Buena Vista Pictures / Via youtube.com

7. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

"I’m not sure it would’ve sucked, but it's definitely great because of Joe Pesci and Marissa Tomei."

—u/TeamStark31

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

8. Devil Wears Prada (2006)

20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

"It would've been mediocre without Meryl Streep — instead, it's excellent."

—u/lgj202

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

9. Lockout (2012)

Open Road Films / Open Road Films / courtesy Everett Collection

"Guy Pearce singlehandedly made that a watchable movie."

—u/Miklonario

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Open Road Films / Via youtube.com

10. Demolition Man (1993)

Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

"If it hadn't been for Wesley Snipes, it would have been just another Sylvester Stallone movie."

—u/All_the_cake

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

11. We Bought a Zoo (2011)

20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

"On paper, totally unremarkable and even a bit cliché. But it all somehow comes together perfectly — which the director gets credit for as well — and becomes something utterly charming and heartfelt."

—u/Dottsterisk

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

12. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Rob McEwan/©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

"It is the stupidest idea for a movie, but the whole cast really sold it. I love that movie so much."

—u/stateofbrine

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

MGM / Via youtube.com

13. Venom (2018)

© Sony Pictures Releasing / © Marvel Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Tom Hardy’s performance made me enjoy it a lot more than I thought I would."

—u/callmemacready

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

14. The Untouchables (1987)

Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

"While not a bad movie, it's definitely elevated by its cast. Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, Robert DeNiro, and Andy Garcia are all next-level good in that movie and make it so fun to watch."

—u/tramdog

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

15. Armageddon (1998)

Touchstone / courtesy Everett Collection

"It's ridiculous and pretty dumb when you think about it, but the cast makes it so much fun you don’t care."

—u/bongo1100

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Touchstone / Via youtube.com

16. Love, Actually (2003)

Universal / ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

"This is a B movie with one of the world's great casts."

—u/HPmoni

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

And finally:

17. Bullet Train (2022)

Scott Garfield /© Sony Pictures Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection

"It would’ve been atrocious if it wasn’t for Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Their characters' chemistry was chef's kiss."

—u/Miserable_Track_1885

You can watch a clip of the performance(s) here:

Sony Pictures Entertainment / Via youtube.com

You've read their picks, but now it's your turn. Which actors/ensemble casts did they miss? What movie should've been "meh," but was totally saved by the actors? Share your pick(s) in the comments below!

Some responses were edited for length and/or clarity. H/T: Reddit.

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