We all have a running list of favorite movies and TV series that contain a few titles we wouldn't admit to being huge fans of in public. But behind closed doors, when all we want to do is stay inside for a weekend for a movie marathon, you know these are the ones we are most excited to watch.
Some of these campy titles have become cult classics over the years, while others seem to remain only popular amongst ourselves. We may have been too embarrassed to have actually bought a physical copy of its DVD (back when people used to actually buy DVDs), but now thanks to Netflix, you can stream these titles in your own judgment-free zone.
Even though they're called guilty pleasures, there really is no reason we should feel ashamed about watching 'em. So get your popcorn ready because we're digging up titles that you know you love to watch—no matter how campy they can be.
Here's the list of guilty pleasure movies and TV series that are worth streaming on Netflix now.
MOVIES
Ghost (1990)
Director: Jerry Zucker
Stars: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg
Perfect for fans of: Dirty Dancing, Road House, While You Were Sleeping
This movie has one of the most far-fetched plots in Hollywood, but there is no way you can escape getting caught up in the magical smooth moves of Patrick Swayze. Ghost follows the story of Sam (Swayze), who is murdered in New York City by a mugger, but his spirit stays behind to warn his lover Molly (Moore) that she is in some serious danger. In order to communicate with her, Sam uses the help of a scam artist psychic (Goldberg). This means there are some funny moments mixed in with some heartbreaking ones that will leave you in tears no matter how many times you've watched this film.
There are plenty of suspenseful moments, but let's be real, it's pretty much just a really morbid love story. Of course, the real selling point is the iconic sculpting scene set to "Unchained Melody." For some unworldly reason, Ghost has had the ability to leave a lasting impression on us.
Starship Troopers (1997)
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Stars: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer
Perfect for fans of: Robocop, Star Wars, The Hunger Games
Starship Troopers is pretty much the sci-fi version of The Hunger Games. A race of fire-spitting creatures attack Earth so an army of young solders is recruited to save mankind. The alien bugs are borderline ridiculous, the graphics are lacking and the script, combined with the acting, is slightly on the silly side, but Starship Troopers is one of our favorite guilty pleasure movies of all time.
There's action, explosions, and brain-sucking bugs, what else could we ask for? It's pretty much a sci-fi fan's dream film. Oh, and we forgot to mention there is a young Denise Richards and even Neil Patrick Harris.
A Night At The Roxbury (1998)
Director: John Fortenberry
Stars: Chris Kattan, Will Ferrell, Raquel Gardner
Perfect for fans of: Zoolander, Wayne's World, Tommy Boy
Try to listen to "What Is Love" by Haddaway without thinking of A Night At The Roxbury—it's just impossible. Based on a SNL sketch, two dimwit brothers, Doug (Kattan) and Steve (Ferrell) live for one thing: hitting the club to hit on women. They aspire to open their own club as cool as the Roxbury, despite the fact they have never stepped inside it.
They run into luck one night when they get into an accident with Richard Grieco, who gets them in. Get ready for hilarious dance moves, head nods and lots of almost-funny lines. It takes a certain kind of humor to appreciate how dumb these brothers are, but Kattan and Ferrell play these characters so well it's hard to stop watching.
Masters of the Universe (1987)
Director: Gary Goddard
Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Meg Foster
Perfect for fans of: The Monster Squad, King Fury, The 'Burbs
Between the cheesy effects and even cheesier script, Masters of the Universe is so wrong in so many ways that it's just so right. A film adaption of the animated series, fans of comic book heroes will surely appreciate He-Man, the warrior who is on a mission to defeat the evil villain named Skeletor who has taken over Castle Grayskull. He-Man and Skeletor take their battle to Earth, so get ready for hoverboards, sword fights and a really bad attempt at visual effects. Even though this '80s film is far from the blockbuster magic of superhero films today, we can't deny the fact that it's a classic we still appreciate.
And if that doesn't sell you, then stream this movie for the simple fact that pre-Friends era Courtney Cox plays the damsel in distress. But who are we kidding? You know you secretly love this film.
White Chicks (2004)
Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans
Stars: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Terry Crews
Perfect for fans of: Mean Girls, Don't Be A Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
If you look past the fact that the Wayans brothers are wearing "white face" for this film and the fact that they clearly look like men attempting to play women—although none of the characters in the movie have a clue—White Chicks is actually an entertaining movie.
The film follows the story of two black FBI agents who have to babysit a pair of Paris Hilton wannabe socialites, but wind up going undercover as the girls to protect and catch their kidnappers. While many may file this under "B movie" status, there are some great lines, Terry Crews is awesome in his role, and the movie pulls off poking fun at the stereotypical snobby woman.
Heathers (1988)
Director: Michael Lehmann
Stars: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
Perfect for fans of: Scary Movie, Mean Girls, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
If you are a fan of slasher movies and spoofs, then chances are you are a fan of Heathers. This movie stars Winona Ryder as a high school girl named Veronica who hates her friends, a clique of popular girls called the Heathers, but forces herself to participate in their Mean Girl behavior. She then starts dating a new student named J.D. (Slater), and they start to take down everyone they hate. These two are pretty much like Bonnie and Clyde, only more deadly.
Heathers simply is a classic cult movie that is as dark and twisted as it is hilarious.
13 Going On 30 (2004)
Director: Gary Winick
Stars: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer
Perfect for fans of: Clueless, Legally Blonde, Maid in Manhattan
Call me crazy, but Jennifer Garner's greatest role was in 13 Going On 30. She perfectly embodies a 13-year-old with pure innocence in a way that is spot on, making her adorably goofy and lovable. In this movie Jenna Rink (Garner) makes a wish on her 13th birthday that she is "30, flirty and thriving" like the models on the cover of magazines, only to wake up to find she got exactly what she wanted. But her wish comes at a price. She lost her best friend, lives a shallow life, and is only a ghost of her former self.
There is a "Thriller" dance scene that makes the movie, a cute romance between Garner and Ruffalo that makes us all wish we had a Matty, and Andy Serkis as the boss we want to have. We cannot deny that this is a rom-com to top all rom-coms.
TV SERIES
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995-1999)
Creator: Christian Williams
Stars: Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Kevin Smith
Perfect for fans of: Xena, Masters of the Universe
You might have checked out Dawyne Johnson in the 2014 film Hercules, but Kevin Sorbo will forever be the popular character in our eyes. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys was one of the must-see series of the '90s, no matter how outlandish it could be at times. There was action, adventure, and of course Sorbo swinging his sword with superhero strength.
The series followed the mythical storyline of the half-human, half-god who slayed different monsters each week. We easily spent a weekend watching back-to-back episodes back in the day, and now we can guiltlessly stream all six seasons thanks to Netflix. Looking back, the makeup wan't that great and the special effects look straight-up silly at times, be we don't care because Hercules is still great.
And don't forget about Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules' spin-off series starring Lucy Lawless that is just as much a guilty pleasure as the former series. Fans of the series know the excitement when these two characters crossed over to make cameos on each other's shows.
Revenge (2011-2015)
Creator: Mike Kelley
Stars: Madeleine Stowe, Emily VanCamp, Gabriel Mann
Perfect for fans of: Pretty Little Liars, Switched at Birth, Scandal
I never thought I could become so hooked on a soap opera series until I started streaming Revenge. Although the series was cancelled after its fourth season aired this year, Revenge is a show you never knew you needed to watch until you start watching it. It follows the story of Emily Thorne / Amanda Clarke (VanCamp), a young woman who enters the rich social circle in the Hamptons in order to avenge her father's death, with the Grayson family her main target. Victoria Grayson (Stowe) is arguably one the best baddies on TV, and every episode will leave you on the edge of your seat. There's suspense, drama, fight scenes, murder, and love triangles.
Nope, not ashamed to admit Revenge is the modern-day Days of Our Lives that will leave you dying to stream more.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Creators: Joss Whedon
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan
Perfect for fans of: Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Charmed
Don't hide it, you know you love Buffy. Every girl wanted to be her and every boy wanted to be with her. The series starred a young Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy, a newcomer to Sunnydale trying to fit in at high school by day, but taking on vampires and demons by night.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer pretty much made The WB a household name for series, and it now is home to superhero series like The Flash and Arrow. Even though Buffy featured some cheesy storylines, it was funny, relatable (even with all the supernatural stuff going on), and was packed with action.
If you've never seen this series (although I doubt you haven't caught at least one episode), make sure you add it to your queue right now. You will thank me later.
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