7 Movies I Refuse to Watch Despite Good Reviews

Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb in this image from HBO Max — Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb in “Inception.” (Image: Max)

There’s no accounting for taste. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how groundbreaking a movie is supposed to be — there’s just something about it that rubs you the wrong way. You’ll ignore and reject all the lovely things people say about a particular film, and you might even get increasingly irate as more folks try to push you into watching it.

“Just give it a chance,” they say, like you’re a toddler who won’t try broccoli and not an adult with fully-realized tastes that you (likely) know better than they do. Maybe you eventually cave and try the movie, or maybe you don’t, but you almost always resent the effort that went into the ordeal.

All of that is to say, here’s my list of movies that I just won’t watch. Here’s why.

And if you refuse to read my article, then maybe give the video version a watch:

‘Gone With the Wind’ (1939)

Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in this image from HBO Max — Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh star in “Gone with the Wind,” but I wouldn't know. (Image: Max)

Some call this one “timeless.” Do you know what isn’t “timeless?” Civil War-era gender roles and racial attitudes. This is by no means the only film that hasn’t aged well, but it has aged so poorly that I don’t even want to bother.

Or at least, I’ve heard it has aged poorly. I refuse to watch it.

‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)

Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis in this image from Sling TV — Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis could be in the middle of a song-and-dance number here, and I’d never know. (Image: Sling TV)

I’m a big scaredy-cat. I don’t like horror movies, I don’t like dead people, and I don’t like spoilers. Somewhere along the line, the big twist was ruined for me, and now I don’t see why I should subject myself to a film I’m certain I won’t enjoy.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ (2005)

Matthew Macfayden and Keira Knightley in this image from Amazon Prime Video — Matthew Macfayden and Keira Knightley share a moment in “Pride and Prejudice.” (Image: Amazon Prime Video)

“Pride and Prejudice” (2005) is based on a classic piece of literature. It's not one of my favorites. I know that Jane Austen is a wonderfully influential author, but that doesn’t change the fact that her books just don’t appeal to me. Regency-era romance and drama is based on too much etiquette and rules for me to enjoy it. As such, I will not be viewing “Pride and Prejudice” — no matter how big of a crush I have on Keira Knightley.

‘Into the Wild’ (2007)

Emile Hirsch in this image from Paramount Plus — Emile Hirsch brings Christopher McCandless (back) to life in “Into the Wild.” (Image: Paramount Plus)

I know how it ends already, because I remember reading about Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch in the film) and his tragic death. I’ve dated one too many wannabe van-life influencers to get lost in any of the escapism fantasy.

‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)

Daniel Day-Lewis (and mustache) in this image from Paramount Plus — Daniel Day-Lewis and his excellent mustache in “There Will Be Blood.” (Image: Paramount Plus)

This is a film I’ve tried to watch a couple of times. I’ve seen the “I drink your milkshake” scene and wanted some more context. Daniel Day-Lewis sports a magnificent mustache, and that’s also, well, something.

I don’t have time for how ploddingly slow this movie is. It isn’t so much that I refuse to watch it as I just can’t finish it. I know it’s great, but I am not a patient enough man.

‘The Social Network’ (2010)

Jesse Eisenberg in this image from Columbia Pictures — Jesse Eisenberg, who plays a young Mark Zuckerberg, looking about as excited as I would be to watch this film. (Image: Columbia Pictures)

If I wanted to watch vaguely awkward white dudes bicker, I’d have stayed in my college Dungeons & Dragons group. I’m convinced that Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg in the film) might legitimately be a lizard person. Either way, the tech-billionaire drama doesn’t do anything to excite me. Yes, I am familiar with the impact that Facebook has had on the world, but that doesn’t mean that I’m interested in watching a dramatized version of its genesis.

‘Inception’ (2010)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard in this image from HBO Max — Marion Cotillard and Leonardo DiCaprio in “Inception.” (Image: Max)

I was in college when this movie came out. I couldn’t walk through my dormitory hall without seeing at least one room, with door wide open, full of dudes raving about how deep this movie was. If I had a nickel for every one of them who asked me to proofread their freshman philosophy paper that revolved entirely around this movie’s ending, I wouldn’t need to write this piece. I could sit on a beach and watch a top spin all day.

98 thoughts on “7 Movies I Refuse to Watch Despite Rave Reviews”

Gone with the Wind is a classic. You are missing out on incredible acting, exquisite costumes and beautiful scenes.

this is hilarious. i feel your delicate sensitivities thru your words.

You’re a moron, Gone with the Wind, is a classic!
As for the other movies listed I can watch them or not.

I agree with your selection. Ravings about movies is a myth. Most movies….SUCK.

Reviews I Refuse to Comment on despite their obvious lack of Knowledge.

How you can lump Gwtw in a list of mediocre movies is beyond me.
GWTW is time less if only for the epic task and time it was created as one of the first major movies made in color.
Furthermore M Knight Shamilan who has no literary sense with his surprise endings have no more relation or suprise to the story than a rabbit in the hat trick.
Back to GWTW. Clark Gable refused to attend the premiere in Atlanta unless they allowed Hattie McDaniel in the front door thus providing an early back drop for civil rights activision.

That is meant to say activism

Gone with the Wind is an awesome movie. If it offends your tender feelings that’s your problem.

Wow. They’ll post just about anything on the web theses days.

You will be missing out! Trust me!

No one cares

Like actually no one cares

This is a very stupid article, most of these movies are great movies.

Gone with the wind is a classic. And if we are aware of the issues that it has we can look beyond that and watch the artistry it took to make and let’s not forget Vivien Leigh.

Sixth Sense I had figured out in half an hour. Inception was two and a half hours of confusion. Scarlet O’Hara is the most unlikeable character ever conceived. I read the book of Into the Wild, decided the character was a misguided moron, and I didn’t care to see that stupidity exploited on screen.

I must agree with The Social Network. I cannot abide Zuckerberg or Facebook, and I now cannot watch any Jesse Eisenberg movie either. None of them. Like, fuck that guy. Kinda wish he never took that role, kinda don’t care.

I could care less about the movie choices, but your reasoning seems a tad bit immature for my blood.
Something I refuse to read no matter how much click bate I get: your articles…

I wouldn’t call this offensive so much as scary. Being close minded like this is not only the reason their are so many awful movies, but also why the geopolitical situation is terrifying. Keep it to yourself if you’re going to be foolish.

Gone With the Wind, seriously? It’s one of the best movies ever, and if you’ve read the book, very satisfying and true to the story.
The book and the movie are both classics and if you fail to watch the film, you’re only missing out.

Extremely cringe article. Should be embarrassed by it. 10/10

Gone with the wind was a great movie. Your refusal to watch it is your loss.