It’s a strange thing when a director who is, let’s be honest, not known for quality work, somehow manages to create a genuinely great movie. Is it a fluke? A happy accident? Did all the stars align just right with the script, the cast, and the studio? Whatever the reason, these films exist as shiny apples on otherwise pretty barren trees.Today, we’re looking at some of those surprising gems. You’ll see the action director known for non-stop explosions who made one of the tightest thrillers of the ’90s, and the horror director whose career nosedived after one spectacular, mind-bending hit. These are, after all, the exceptions that prove the rule.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});IMDbThe Rock by Michael BayMichael Bay is the king of explosions, but in 1996, he funneled that energy into a near-perfect action movie. The Rock is a tight, thrilling adventure that easily outshines his later, more chaotic work like the Transformers franchise.IMDbThe Sixth Sense by M. Night ShyamalanBefore his name became a punchline for forced twist endings, M. Night Shyamalan delivered this 1999 masterpiece. It was a cultural phenomenon that reminds us of his talent before films like The Last Airbender and After Earth.IMDbThe Lost Boys by Joel SchumacherJoel Schumacher is often blamed for his flashy, critically-panned Batman films in the mid-’90s. But a decade earlier, in 1987, he directed this stylish and iconic vampire film that remains a beloved cult classic to this day.IMDbRampage by Uwe BollThe name Uwe Boll is synonymous with notoriously bad video game movies like House of the Dead. It’s shocking, then, that his 2009 film Rampage is a competent and brutally effective thriller that stands apart from his usual work.IMDbHappy Gilmore by Dennis DuganDennis Dugan directed some of Adam Sandler’s most disliked films, including Jack and Jill. In 1996, however, their partnership gave us this endlessly quotable golf comedy that remains an absolute classic and a high point for both of them.IMDbCliffhanger by Renny HarlinDirector Renny Harlin was responsible for the infamous 1995 box office bomb Cutthroat Island. But just two years earlier, he directed Sylvester Stallone in this perfectly over-the-top and incredibly fun mountain-climbing action movie from 1993.IMDbEvent Horizon by Paul W.S. AndersonPaul W.S. Anderson’s filmography is mostly forgettable action, except at least for his 1997 sci-fi horror film, Event Horizon. It’s a genuinely terrifying trip into cosmic dread that has developed a massive and well-deserved cult following over the years.IMDbIndependence Day by Roland EmmerichRoland Emmerich loves destroying the world, sometimes with better results than others (like 1998’s Godzilla). His 1996 alien invasion epic, however, is the perfect summer blockbuster and a defining special effects extravaganza of the ’90s.IMDbBut I’m a Cheerleader by Jamie BabbitWhile Jamie Babbit has found success on TV, her 1999 feature film is the one time that translates to film. This sharp, satirical teen comedy was ahead of its time and has grown into a beloved cult classic and a landmark LGBTQ+ film.IMDbCon Air by Simon WestSimon West’s career includes action films like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, but nothing tops his 1997 debut. Con Air is a perfect storm of ’90s action absurdity, featuring a wild Nicolas Cage and an unforgettable cast of characters.IMDbWe Are Marshall by McGMcG is known for stylish, fast-paced action like Charlie’s Angels and Terminator Salvation. That’s why his 2006 drama We Are Marshall is such a pleasant surprise; a genuinely heartfelt and inspiring sports story that shows his range.IMDbRed Dragon by Brett RatnerBrett Ratner is mainly known for action-comedies like the Rush Hour series. But in 2002, he stepped into Hannibal Lecter’s world and delivered a taut, effective thriller that served as a worthy prequel to The Silence of the Lambs.IMDbThe Mummy by Stephen SommersStephen Sommers’ later films like Van Helsing and G.I. Joe were messy CGI-fests. His 1999 reboot of The Mummy, however, struck the perfect chord between adventure, comedy, and scares, creating an endlessly rewatchable modern classic.IMDbThe Fast and the Furious by Rob CohenBefore the franchise was about saving the world, director Rob Cohen kicked it all off in 2001. While he also made duds like Stealth, his original street-racing crime drama was a gritty, thrilling hit that launched a global phenomenon.The post 14 Good Movies Made By Otherwise Notoriously Bad Directors appeared first on Den of Geek.