15 Unexpectedly Awesome 2014 Movies Everyone Thought Would Suck

7. Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Why It Should Have Sucked: A contemporary 3D CGI animation update of the dated 1960s cartoon characters from The Lion King director Rob Minkoff, who hasn't directed another great movie in the 20 years since? And a time travel premise that just might be too complicated for kids? Why It Was Awesome: Though the time travel mechanics might indeed prove a little too unwieldy for the youngest audiences, Peabody and Sherman is a thoroughly charming animation girded by the excellent chemistry between brainy talking dog Mr. Peabody and his adoptive son Sherman. Even though watching these two bond turns out to be much more interesting than the time travel narrative, it's an uncommonly smart children's film with gorgeous animation and some great voice performances throughout (including Mel Brooks as Albert Einstein!)