Buzz
Films have always been a form of artistic expression. Going all the way back to the 18th century with the advent of nickelodeons, films have been designed to stir emotions. But to truly connect with an audience, a film must evoke a specific emotional response. If a filmmaker tries to create a powerful drama but fails to hit the intended emotional beats, the movie is considered a failure. Yet, I believe the term 'failure' is highly subjective. While Avatar may hold the title of the highest-grossing film of all time, I personally found it to be underwhelming despite its massive success.
The greatest compliment I can give a film is that it entertained me thoroughly. While I can enjoy classics like The Godfather, I may only watch them once in a while. On the other hand, I've probably watched Big Trouble in Little China at least a hundred times because it's so easy and enjoyable to revisit. Just because a film doesn't perform well at the box office or with critics doesn't mean it lacks value. In fact, some films are so bad that they become hilarious. These are the kinds of films that I can watch endlessly, often with a group of friends who share the same sense of humor.
Here’s a list of the Top 10 Hilariously Bad Movies that You Have to See. This list is brought to you by Cultural Atrocities.
10. Mosquito
A key observation about this list is that most of these films fall under the horror or action genres. This makes perfect sense because these are the genres packed with dynamic scenes and prime opportunities for cringeworthy special effects. The '70s, '80s, and '90s produced a treasure chest of unintentional comedic gems. The '80s especially stand out as a golden age of low-budget, practical effects, over-the-top performances, and a cultural frenzy. What makes these films even more delightful is the sense of innocence — it’s as if they were made with a genuine love for the messiness they created.
This brings us to Mosquito. The first thing that stands out about this movie is how everything about it screams the '80s. From its style to the atmosphere, it’s all about that era. But then, when it’s all over, you realize that it was actually made in 1995. There are a few films on this list that could easily be mistaken for '80s movies, only to shock you when you discover they were made squarely in the '90s. This creates a very odd viewing experience. You’re watching, enjoying the terribly done blue-screen mosquito effects, and appreciating the efforts made for its time, only to realize it was made in 1995, and honestly, you could probably create better special effects at a mall kiosk.
The storyline is pretty simple: an alien spaceship crashes in a forest near a popular camping spot. Some mosquitoes feed on the dead alien’s arm, and its blood turns them into supercharged, steroid-infused creatures. These little insects grow to the size of golden retrievers and start attacking the campgrounds, as well as anyone else they encounter. The group of survivors includes a reunion of sorts — Ron Asheton and Gunnar Hansen (the infamous Leatherface from the original *Texas Chainsaw Massacre*), though this is a pre-Stooges, post-Stooges moment.
Golden Moments: Every scene where mosquitoes attack is a must-see. When Gunnar Hansen grabs that chainsaw, it's a moment that gives you those classic B-movie chills. The over-the-top acting by the lead couple is almost painfully bad in a hilarious way. And don’t forget Junior’s eyeball explosions — they are the highlight of the film!
9. Starcrash
In the 1970s, film studio executives were scrambling to find the next Star Wars. It was understandable, given that Star Wars was an independently made film on a shoestring budget that turned into one of the most successful franchises in history. Enter the Italians. Writer and director Luigi Cozzi had already been working on his script long before Luke and Han set off to destroy the Death Star. However, only after Star Wars became a huge hit did Cozzi secure the funding to bring his project to life. The catch? His film had to resemble Star Wars in almost every way, and several changes were made to his original script.
The plot is somewhat chaotic. It’s the type of movie you watch for the visuals rather than the narrative. However, the stunning visuals make up for the lack of a coherent storyline. This may be one of the most visually striking low-budget films ever made. Every scene is packed with vibrant colors, outlandish costumes, and stop-motion effects reminiscent of Ray Harryhausen’s work, which we’re unlikely to see in modern films. The soundtrack deserves praise too. While it may borrow heavily from Star Wars, it’s certainly not the worst imitation out there, especially when you consider the budget it was made with.
The cast is an interesting mix. Caroline Munro plays Stellastar, and while her acting may not be award-winning, she compensates by looking stunning and wearing a bikini throughout much of the film. Then there's Marjoe Gortner as Akton, one of the most fascinating characters. Gortner gained national fame as a child preacher before transitioning into the entertainment industry, both in music and film. The film also features David Hasselhoff, playing a character that could be considered a Han Solo clone, and Christopher Plummer as the Emperor of the First Circle of the Universe, in a role that’s as grandiose as his title suggests.
Golden Moments: The robot inspired by Foghorn Leghorn is an absolute delight. Akton inexplicably gaining superpowers as the film progresses. And let's not forget the special effects, which are worth the watch on their own.
8. Ticks
Ah, Ticks. I first saw this film when I was 11, and even back then, I could tell it was something special. The internet revolution gave me and other pop-culture enthusiasts a chance to track down those obscure movies we stumbled upon on HBO late at night during our younger years. Also known by its alternate title, 'Infested,' Ticks was directed by Tony Randel. And no, not Tony Randall, the famous actor, but the director of Hellraiser 2 (another gem, by the way).
Ticks tells the story of a group of troubled teens, sent to a camp retreat by their psychiatrists and counselors. This group includes post-child star Seth Green, the toughened Alfonso 'Carlton' Ribeiro, Ami Dolenz (daughter of Mickey 'The Monkey' Dolenz, known for her roles in low-budget films), and a range of other social types. The counselors are played by the esteemed Peter Scolari (of Bosom Buddies) and Rosalind Allen, who you might recall as the girl George Costanza pretended to be a marine biologist for in an iconic Seinfeld episode. Rounding out this eclectic cast are a wealthy, sneezy guy and his redneck friend, plus Clint Howard playing a gross guy (classic typecasting!).
Much like Mosquito, the wood ticks bulk up on steroids and grow to the size of small crabs, becoming ridiculously fast. The movie starts slow, with the ticks hesitating to attack all at once, but by the end, thousands of them flood through the cabin ceiling, raining down on the survivors. If you don’t find yourself itching and checking your skin from time to time, I’m not sure we’re watching the same film.
Golden Moments: Every moment featuring Carlton, especially the climax where he morphs into a tick the size of a crocodile. Seth Green’s epic lit broom throw. Clint Howard’s face literally exploding.
7. Slashers
Slashers is dangerously close to being a full-on disaster. Seriously, everything points to this film being a complete mess. The acting is some of the worst I’ve ever witnessed, the effects are dreadful, and the sets are even worse. It feels like it was shot in a paintball arena. While I’ve said before that all of these flaws can sometimes make a so-bad-it’s-good movie incredibly fun to watch, it’s also true that not every terrible film is enjoyable. Sometimes, it's just bad and painful to sit through. Slashers nearly falls into that category, but thankfully, it doesn’t quite get there.
Maurice Devereaux's Slashers is more of a parody than a serious thriller. In this 2001 film, a Japanese reality show sets up six contestants to survive in a building packed with psychopaths, offering a million-dollar prize for those who make it out alive. This movie arrived at the height of the reality TV boom, tapping into the popularity of shows like Survivor. The film critiques the lengths people will go for fame, raising the question: Would you kill to be famous? What does it say about society when people not only agree to be on such shows but also watch and cheer for the killers?
Slashers has a fascinating concept with some notable moments, especially the absurdity of the slashers halting their murderous pursuits for a commercial break. The film cleverly mocks the world of reality shows, often offering hilarious commentary. However, the movie's low-budget production detracts from its potential. It's clearly made on a shoestring budget, which leads to some unintentionally funny scenes that weren’t meant to be comedic. While it's intended as a dark comedy, its rough edges add to the humor.
Golden Moments in Slashers include the catchy theme song, and Megan's speech about society's morbid fascination with televised violence, which is both cringe-worthy and darkly hilarious. The slashers themselves are a highlight, especially Preacher Man, who delivers a fiery sermon railing against the lack of respect for God. And, of course, the film delivers plenty of over-the-top gore, making it a memorable experience.
6. Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare
Combining film and music can be a risky endeavor. For every musical I enjoy, like Little Shop of Horrors, there are countless others I can't imagine ever watching. The music can sometimes overshadow the rest of the film, turning what could be an enhancement into a hindrance. A lot of my aversion to musicals stems from their very nature. Movies like The Music Man, with their sugary sweetness and endless optimism, fill me with frustration. Musicals often shy away from confronting you with their songs, instead opting to make you want to dance along with the townspeople in some idyllic, picture-perfect setting.
I’m not about to claim that I’m a fan of hair metal, but there’s something undeniably fascinating about that era when it was all the rage. Maybe it’s my appreciation for electric guitars or just the sight of grown men attempting to make their hair as voluminous as possible, but it brings a smile to my face. This brings us to Jon Mikl Thor's cult classic, Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare. Set in a Canadian farmhouse, which doubles as 'the gates of hell' (the film’s alternate title), Jon Mikl and his band choose this peculiar place to record their latest album. Naturally, demons in the form of hand puppets begin to possess his bandmates and their girlfriends. As the movie unfolds, Jon Mikl remains the sole survivor, fighting back against the evil forces.
Golden Moments: THE GREATEST PLOT TWIST ENDING OF ALL TIME. Jon Mikl Thor in his full David Coverdale-on-steroids glory. Awesomely awful live performances by the real band. Hand puppets making a mess by spitting into people's drinks.
5. Birdemic: Shock and Terror
In 2008, James Nguyen delivered a gem for B-movie fans with his environmental tribute to Alfred Hitchcock’s *The Birds*. What truly distinguishes a great B-movie from a bad one is the genuine effort of the people involved. It’s easy to spot when a director, writer, or actor isn’t putting in their best work, which usually results in mediocrity. But when a film is made with passion, it’s evident. Even in its absurdity, there’s a unique joy in watching someone's dream unfold on screen, no matter how bizarre. And no one showed more devotion to their project than James Nguyen, as seen when he arrived at the Sundance Film Festival in his Birdemic van, fully decorated with fake attacking birds.
Let’s be honest – *Birdemic* is a train wreck. Nguyen should probably steer clear of the film industry, but there’s something endearing about his commitment to the project that makes you root for him, despite the disaster unfolding on screen. His sincerity is impossible to ignore, and it’s this charm that led to the film’s cult following. The movie’s attempt to deliver an environmental message is clumsy at best, but it only adds to the unintentional humor that makes this film so memorable.
The movie follows Rod, a software salesman (yes, his name is Rod), who meets Nathalie, an aspiring model. The two begin dating but soon notice something strange: dead birds are appearing everywhere. Before long, the entire town is under attack by these violent birds, and the pair must do everything in their power to survive.
Golden Moments: The bird CGI is something you have to see to believe. It’s as though Nguyen found a bird gif on some internet forum and decided to use it repeatedly throughout the film. And then there’s *“Hanging Out With My Family”*, a song I find myself inexplicably singing. The acting? Utterly dreadful.
4. Pocket Ninjas
I’m honestly at a loss for how to approach discussing *Pocket Ninjas*. Currently sitting at #9 on IMDb’s Bottom 100, it’s clear this is not a good film. But there’s something even more baffling about it—*Pocket Ninjas* is probably the most confusing movie I’ve ever watched. It’s the *Lost Highway* of children’s films. I’ll do my best to explain the plot, though.
The story revolves around three characters: Rocky, Colt, and Tum T… no wait, their names are actually Damien, Tanya, and Steve. The three kids hang out in their treehouse, having the kind of conversation you’d expect from kids their age: how corporations are ruining the environment. Tanya, the liberal, and Steve, the ‘fat’ republican, argue about the topic, while Damien gets upset, claiming his feelings are hurt. He then tells them about a magazine he discovered featuring a ninja named *The White Dragon*. Cue a scene of *The White Dragon* beating up a group of thugs. Is *The White Dragon* real? Are we in some kind of comic book? This right here is the main issue with *Pocket Ninjas*: it seems like there are multiple layers of reality in play, and I’m not even sure if some of them exist! The kids learn karate from their sensei, who may—or may not—be *The White Dragon*. Robert Zdar plays Cobra Khan, but once again, I can’t tell you for sure if he’s real, nor can I explain his ‘son’ (a 12-year-old who runs an underground crime syndicate).
Did you get all that? The real fun in watching *Pocket Ninjas* comes from trying to make sense of what’s happening on screen at any given moment. Awkward exposition leads into painfully long montages. Oh, and did I mention that the kids end up as mini versions of *The White Dragon*, complete with rollerblades? Ever tried doing a karate kick while wearing rollerblades? It’s no easy task, and the choreography here makes that pretty clear.
Golden Moments: The fight between Cobra Khan and *The White Dragon* (is he from the comic or real life?) is a wonderfully surreal scene. Never before has balloon-fueled fighting looked so real. The dialogue, written to sound cool for its time, leads to some very uncomfortable transitions. Also, Damien’s mom’s reaction to *The White Dragon* is a spectacle, but when she becomes ten times more excited over a coupon book, that takes things to another level.
3. Samurai Cop
Describing my all-time favorite movies is tough. Instead of explaining why they're great, I end up listing my favorite scenes. With a film like Samurai Cop, words just don’t do it justice. I picked up this DVD for two bucks at a used movie store, and I believe it’s probably the best value I’ve gotten from 200 pennies. Now that I think about it, I’m picturing 200 tootsie rolls and it almost makes me reconsider, but I’ll stay on track…
The movie was written and directed by Amir Shervan, who was an Iranian movie mogul and a fan of America. He made several films in the late '80s, starting with Hollywood Cop and wrapping up with Killing American Style. Right in the middle was Samurai Cop. To be blunt, Shervan was a wealthy 60-year-old Iranian who believed he could create great American action films. It’s definitely an odd situation.
The main character, Samurai Cop, is named Joe Marshall (played by Matt Hannon), and he’s called that because of his supposed training in Japan. However, once you get to know Joe, you’ll realize he’s anything but honorable, often coming off as racist and constantly flirting with every woman in sight. His partner Frank embodies the typical ’80s black sidekick, mostly used for his reactions or references to his impressive physique. Robert Zdar is back as Yamashita, the lead assassin of the Yakuza, and there’s a fun cameo by Gerald Okamura from Big Trouble in Little China, playing a character named, naturally, “Okamura.”
The storyline is a bit too convoluted to dive into fully, but it revolves around Joe walking around the city, occasionally being shot at, and then kicking back at his house in a speedo. The sheer level of incompetence in this movie is astonishing. The dialogue is exactly what a middle-aged Iranian man might think an American cop would sound like. I could go on and on, but in short, this film has everything a b-movie needs to be hilariously absurd x 10.
Golden Moments: Samurai Cop’s constantly changing hairstyles. His speech at the dinner club. The fast-forwarded fight sequences. Awkwardly edited chase scenes. The lion head wall decoration. Ah, forget it, I’m just going to say it all – everything in this movie is hilarious.
2. Troll 2
Dear readers, I promise I’ll reserve any self-indulgent rambling for the rare, truly appropriate moments. Now that’s out of the way, I just need to say I’ve loved Troll 2 since childhood. Similar to Ticks, it was one of those films I watched multiple times when I was younger, and it somehow stuck with me. I rediscovered it in college back in 2001 and introduced it to nearly all my b-movie loving friends. I only mention this because since Troll 2 gained such a massive following in recent years, I don’t want to come off as someone just jumping on the bandwagon. Troll 2 would have made this list even if it hadn’t managed to worm its way back into the global spotlight.
If you're reading this blog and haven’t seen Troll 2 yet, just stop what you’re doing and watch it now. It’s a must-see for any term paper you’ll write in the future. Seriously though, it doesn’t get much better than this. Every scene has something truly unforgettable. This is the quintessential b-movie: low budget, unknown actors, terrible special effects, and a plot that far exceeds its means. It’s all here in its full cinematic glory. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen *Best Worst Movie*, the documentary about the making of Troll 2 and where the cast and crew ended up. I just wish more films could receive this kind of attention, films that surpass their humble beginnings and become something far greater.
Golden Moments: Is it unfair to simply say “everything”? No? Well then, I’m just going to enjoy this double-decker bologna sandwich.
1. Undefeatable
Action movies will always be a goldmine of unintentional comedy. There’s something ridiculously funny about tough guys trying too hard. Undefeatable takes this to the next level. It tries so hard to be a serious action-thriller, but fails in every possible way. The villain, Stingray, is funny even after it’s revealed he’s a murderous rapist. To pull that off, you’ve really got to have comedy baked into your core. Joining Stingray in this comedy goldmine is Cynthia Rothrock, a somewhat successful female kung fu star, and John Miller, yet another kung fu guy. Plenty of kung fu action going on here.
The story follows Rothrock as Kristy, a woman who participates in underground fighting to afford her sister’s college tuition (oh, the irony!). Another fighter named Stingray, in all his grotesque glory, is abandoned by his wife early in the film. As a complete maniac, he starts abducting women who resemble his wife, torturing, murdering them, and stealing their eyeballs to place them in a fish tank. One of these victims is Kristy’s sister. Kristy teams up with Officer Nick DiMarco to track down Stingray and make him pay. They find Kristy’s sister and rush her to the hospital, only for her to be kidnapped by Stingray once again, as expected. Kristy and Nick engage in an utterly absurd fight with Stingray, which has since gone viral on YouTube.
Golden Moments: The final fight scene, which is something you really have to see to believe. Any scene with Stingray, especially when he starts attacking random people for no reason (who are inexplicably all amazing at karate). Kristy somehow paying for three of her friends’ college education.
