The Screen Scribe

Guilty pleasure films occupy a strange but beloved corner of the cinematic world. These are the movies we often watch in secret or defend with a sheepish grin when someone questions our taste. They’re not necessarily critical darlings or box office smashes. In fact, many are panned by critics, ridiculed by film buffs, or dismissed as formulaic or lowbrow. Yet, we love them anyway, more often than not because of said flaws.

So what makes a film a “guilty pleasure”? The term itself suggests a sense of shame or embarrassment, as if enjoying something that’s considered bad by others reflects poorly on us. But guilty pleasure films defy this stigma by offering something deeply satisfying. They may be campy, overly dramatic, poorly acted, or riddled with plot holes, but they deliver enjoyment in a way that “better” films sometimes can’t. They can provide comfort, nostalgia, escapism, or just the kind of over-the-top fun that doesn’t require deep analysis.

Consider movies like Shadowhunters: City of Bones, Constantine, or the Fast & Furious franchise. These films are often critiqued for being overacted, nonsensical, or lacking artistic merit. Yet they have dedicated fanbases and are watched repeatedly. Constantine, in particular, has become a cult classic precisely because of how spectacularly it fails at being a Constantine movie, but gained popularity regardless.

Then there are rom-coms and teen dramas that many viewers secretly adore. Titles like Legally Blonde, Clueless, and Twilight often make the guilty pleasure list. While they may not be masterpieces of cinema, they resonate emotionally, offering light-hearted narratives and feel-good moments. Nostalgia plays a big role here, too. A film you watched during formative years can become a lasting comfort, even if its objective quality is questionable.

It’s also important to recognize that what counts as a guilty pleasure is often shaped by cultural biases. Films aimed at women or younger audiences—romantic comedies, teen dramas, or melodramatic sagas—are more likely to be dismissed as guilty pleasures, whereas action-packed, male-targeted films, even those equally devoid of substance, may be accepted without question. The label of “guilty pleasure” can reflect societal judgments more than actual quality.

At the end of the day, enjoyment is subjective. One person’s guilty pleasure is another’s all-time favourite. The concept of a guilty pleasure implies that we should feel bad for liking something that doesn’t meet certain standards, but perhaps it’s time to challenge that notion. Movies are meant to entertain, and if a film brings joy, laughter, or catharsis, regardless of its Rotten Tomatoes score, it has value.

So the next time you find yourself revisiting Mamma Mia!, quoting lines from Mean Girls, or genuinely enjoying the chaos of a Nicolas Cage action flick, don’t feel guilty. Embrace the pleasure. Cinema isn’t always about high art—it’s also about fun, comfort, and connection. And sometimes, the guiltiest pleasures are the ones that bring us the most joy.

Do you have a favourite guilty pleasure movie of your own?

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