Buzz
What I appreciate about Mytour is how their lists often spark debate, particularly those focused on movies. While film preferences are inherently subjective, certain elements like script quality, direction, cinematography, and acting can elevate a movie. However, these factors don’t guarantee universal appeal. Take *Citizen Kane*, for instance—not everyone loves it, yet its enduring impact on cinema is undeniable, solidifying its status as a masterpiece. But what about the flip side? Are there films so poorly made that they become entertaining in their own right? These movies often suffer from weak scripts, terrible acting, and questionable direction, yet their sheer incompetence makes them oddly enjoyable. I’m not referring to just plain bad films like *Transformers 2*, *Showgirls*, or *Battlefield Earth*, which are unwatchable. No, the films on this list have a certain audacity. They may lack technical skill, but their charm lies in their earnestness. These are the films you can actually sit through and appreciate for being so bad that they’re good.
Disclaimer: This isn’t a definitive “top 10” list. The choices were influenced by various critics, articles, popularity, and an informal poll.
10. The Giant Claw
This 1957 disaster is a cult favorite for one glaring reason: the absurd bird puppet used as the monster, arguably the worst creature ever depicted on screen. Due to budget limitations, the special effects were outsourced to Mexico without the director’s supervision. When the footage returned, the team was horrified but had no choice but to release it. The result is a film where actors deliver serious lines about a terrifying beast, only to be confronted by a ridiculous, googly-eyed, feathered monstrosity that looks like a deranged children’s show character. Adding to the charm is Mara Corday, a stunning actress who starred in several giant monster movies during the 1950s.
Favorite moment: Every scene featuring the giant claw. Other hilariously awful monster films: *Attack of the Giant Leeches* (featuring a man in a trash bag), *The Killer Shrews* (dogs dressed in shaggy rugs), *The Crawling Eye* (a massive rolling eyeball!), *C.H.U.D.* (sewer-dwelling creatures), *The Monolith Monsters* (rocks that come to life), *Sting of Death* (a man turning into a jellyfish hybrid!!), and *Attack of the 50-Foot Woman*.
9. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Released in 1978 as a spoof of horror movies, this film is a parody in its own right. It never pretends to be serious and is packed with hilarious moments, though the sheer incompetence of its creators is undeniable. How could anyone make a 'good' movie about the world being invaded by mutant killer tomatoes? Yet, it exists purely for its absurd entertainment value.
Favorite scene: The underwater attack where tomatoes mimic *Jaws* by terrorizing a swimmer. Other ridiculously entertaining killer tomato films: *Return of the Killer Tomatoes* (starring a young George Clooney), *Killer Tomatoes Strike Back*, and *Killer Tomatoes Eat France*.
8. Troll 2
Released two decades ago, this cinematic disaster has since earned a cult reputation as one of the worst films ever made. A recent documentary titled *Best Worst Movie* focuses on one of its actors, now a dentist, and the unexpected fanbase *Troll 2* has garnered. The movie is so astonishingly terrible that it’s almost unbearable to watch. However, with the right mindset—and perhaps some recreational substances—it becomes an entertainingly awful experience. The story follows evil trolls overrunning a small town, largely because the cast seems incapable of delivering a single line convincingly. Or something along those lines.
Favorite moment: A nerdy character dramatically exclaims, “They’re eating her! And then they’re going to eat me! Oh my Goooooodddddd!” Pure absurdity! Other hilariously bad sequels: *Ghoulies 2*, *Return to Oz* (disturbing yet fascinating), *Grease 2* (cringeworthy but amusing), and *Jaws: The Revenge* (another shark? Seriously? And Michael Caine’s questionable accent).
7. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
This 1964 classic frequently appears on “Worst Movies of All-Time” lists, and for good reason. It’s undeniably bad, yet oddly entertaining. From its bubblegum pop theme song to the use of Whammo Air-Blaster guns as Martian weapons, and a young Pia Zadora as a Martian girl, the film is a treasure trove of unintentional comedy. The plot centers on Martian children who are jealous of Earth’s Christmas celebrations, leading to Santa’s abduction and a series of chaotic events. Naturally, everything resolves happily, and both planets get to enjoy the holiday.
Favorite scene: The attack by a man in a polar bear costume, complete with a visible zipper down the back! Other laughable holiday films: *Santa Claus* (a bizarre Mexican production), *Jingle All The Way* (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s quest for a toy—terrible yet fun), and *Ernest Saves Christmas* (cheesy, but Ernest’s charm is undeniable).
6. Death Race 2000
The term “schlock” became popular in the 1950s to describe films that were cheap, poorly made, or of low quality. This 1975 movie, directed by the infamous Paul Bartel (*Lust in the Dust*, *Eating Raoul*), perfectly fits the bill. Set in a dystopian future, the plot revolves around a cross-country car race where drivers earn points by running over pedestrians. Starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone (a year before *Rocky*), the film’s over-the-top acting and outrageous premise somehow work. The cars are stylish, and the action is nonstop.
Favorite scene: Nurses at a retirement home wheel elderly patients onto the highway in wheelchairs, setting them up as targets for the racers. Pure chaos! Other hilariously bad dystopian future films: *Rollerball* (the original), *The Running Man*, and *Waterworld*.
5. The Blob
A B-movie is typically a low-budget film shown as a secondary feature, often with unknown actors and minimal studio backing. *The Blob* is one of the most iconic B-movies of the 1950s, largely due to its enduring popularity and the fact that it marked Steve McQueen’s first major role. The plot is straightforward: a boy takes a girl to a secluded spot, a meteor carrying a flesh-eating blob crashes to Earth, and teenagers struggle to convince adults of the impending danger. The famous “running out of the theater” scene is reenacted annually at Blobfest in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where much of the movie was filmed (the theater still stands). Despite its many memorable moments, even Steve McQueen struggles to deliver some of the film’s cringe-worthy lines.
Favorite moment: Observing the crowd fleeing the theater is a highlight. One woman even trips, and no one bothers to help her up—pure chaos! Other hilariously bad teen-in-peril films: *Night of the Creeps*, *Idle Hands*, *I Was a Teenage Werewolf*, and *Teenagers from Outer Space*.
4. Road House
With all due respect to the late Patrick Swayze, this film has earned its place as a quintessential camp classic. While Swayze’s frequent shirtless scenes are a draw, the movie is packed with brutal fistfights, nudity, a southern rock soundtrack, and plenty of guns, knives, and explosions. Released in 1989, it was a modest box office success but has since become a cult favorite. The plot is straightforward: Swayze plays a tough bouncer hired to clean up a bar, only to face off against a gang of villains. The story is secondary—this is pure, over-the-top entertainment, perfect for mocking and enjoying.
Favorite line: “Pain don’t hurt.” Other laughably bad action-packed films: *They Live*, any *Billy Jack* sequel, and *Dolemite*.
3. Plan 9 From Outer Space
The undisputed king of hilariously bad filmmaking, this Golden Turkey Award winner is a true cinematic treasure. Immortalized in Tim Burton’s *Ed Wood*, this was meant to be the director’s masterpiece but instead became a legendary disaster. It’s endlessly watchable, if only to marvel at the earnest yet terrible performances. The plot involves aliens resurrecting the dead to prevent humanity from discovering “solarbanite,” a concept ripe for a sci-fi/horror epic. Instead, we get jarring day-to-night transitions, a stand-in for Bela Lugosi (who died before filming), and sets that look like they were borrowed from a garage (a shower curtain serves as a plane’s cockpit door, tombstones topple over, and wobbly UFOs dangle on visible wires). This is peak so-bad-it’s-good cinema, best enjoyed with a heavy dose of irony.
Favorite scene: The flamboyant alien screams, “Stupid humans! Stupid! STUPID!!” A masterclass in dialogue. Other laughably bad Ed Wood films: *Bride of the Monster*, *Glen or Glenda?*, and *Orgy of the Dead*.
Honorable “so bad, they’re good” mentions: *Army of Darkness*, *The Beastmaster*, *Pink Flamingos*, *Flash Gordon*, *The Toxic Avenger*, *Valley Girl*, *Reanimator*, *My Life’s In Turnaround*, *Buckaroo Banzai*, *Blacula*, and *Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster*.
2. Manos: The Hands of Fate
If *Plan 9* is the king of bad movies, *Manos* is its bizarre, red-headed stepchild. Created by fertilizer salesman Harold P. Warren in 1966, this film is a true disaster. It was nearly forgotten until *Mystery Science Theater 3000* resurrected it, and that’s the best way to experience it. The story follows a family whose road trip takes a dark turn when they stumble upon a ranch run by a devil-worshipping cult. The standout character is Torgo, the dimwitted servant of “The Master,” who inexplicably has enormous swollen knees. The film was shot on a wind-up camera, limiting shots to 32 seconds, and all dialogue was dubbed by just a few people, making everyone sound eerily similar. Painful yet hilarious, this is a must-watch with friends and a sense of humor.
Favorite moment: The Master condemns Torgo to death, and two of his wives claw at him to “kill” him. Then, his hand falls off into a fire. Confusing? Absolutely. Other laughably bad films: Nothing quite matches this level of absurdity.
1. Robot Monster
In 1953, sci-fi films were hugely popular, tapping into fears of alien invasions, often serving as metaphors for the Cold War-era “red menace.” Among the genre’s lesser-known entries is *Robot Monster*. Director Phil Tucker dressed an actor in a gorilla suit and a diving helmet, filmed in Bronson Canyon (a favorite location for westerns), and created one of the strangest alien invasion stories ever. The plot features Ro-men, a beautiful love interest, a muscular scientist, stock footage of lizards dressed as dinosaurs, flying saucers on sticks, and a pair of irritating kids. It’s a wild ride.
Favorite scene: The family decides to have a picnic and nap in the scorching heat of a rocky canyon—because why not? Other hilariously bad alien invasion films: *Little Shop of Horrors* (the original, not the musical), *Killer Klowns from Outer Space*, and *Monster A Go-Go*.
