its strange there are 2 anime series in which i hated but absolutely loved the movie[s].
first one is Revolutionary Girl Utena. i saw about half of the naime series and well i really didn't care for it. but on a whim i purchased "RGU The Movie" and i absolutely loved it. from the trippy plot to the incredible score [ i love Masumi Okui] it surpassed all my expectations.
more recently i would say InuYasha. a friend at work lent me some of her tapes [on the series] and i watched about the first 10 or so. i really hated it since it reminded me of Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z. but after watching the first 2 movies [of 4] im really diggin this anime. perhaps i will even go back and rewatch the series.
so what anime series did you despise but liked the movie?