The film industry produces tens of thousands of movies each year. The horror genre contributed significantly to this production, with thousands of entries released annually. Some, likeThe Exorcist, are masterpieces, but logically, some are going to be disappointing, and some others will be downright awful. From unwatchable disasters such asMonster a Go-Go!to enjoyably bad movies such asDracula 3D, there is no shortage of horror films that slipped through the cracks in terms of quality.
Just because a movie is bad doesn’t mean it can’t be entertaining or hold a certain value. Indeed, some horror movies are decidedly underwhelming when judged by merit but can still entertain audiences, especially those willing to roll with their shortcomings rather than judge them.The following are the most rewatchable bad horror movies; as the wording implies, the ranking will be based on how often viewers can revisit them and how entertaining they remain despite their admitted flaws.
10’The Creeping Terror' (1964)
Directed by Vic Savage
The Creeping Terroris a horror science film first released in 1964. Directed byVic Savage, in his only feature behind the camera, he also edited, produced, and starred in the film as Deputy Martin Gordon. The plot follows a small town that tries to survive an attack from an alien monster.
The titular terror is so slow and has such a nonsensical design that it comes across as more silly than terrifying.
One of the aspects ofThe Creeping Terrorthat makes it so unintentionally laughable isthe creature effects for the titular monster. For example, there is an infamous scene in which an extra very clearly has to crawl into the mouth of the monster to try and convey the effect of being eaten. In addition, the titular terror is so slow and has such a nonsensical design that it comes across as more silly than terrifying. These factors makea monster that is supposed to be threateningbut comes across as a source of unintentional comedy instead. This unintentional comedy can also be seen in the audio, clearly added in the post and out of place with the dramatic and suspenseful tone the film is trying for.
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9’Birdemic: Shock and Terror' (2010)
Directed by James Nguyen
Birdemic: Shock and Terroris a romantic horror film first released in 2010. Directed byJames Nguyen, who also directed both sequels, the plot follows a couple named Rod and Nathalie, played byAlan BaghandWhitney Moore, who develop an attraction to each other as a series of unexplained bird attacks occur. They then have to fight to survive while trying to save as many survivors as they can.
The special effects for the birds are as terribly enjoyable as one might expect. For example, the birds are very obviously green-screened inWindows Movie Maker-style effectsthat look very fake. The film’s poor quality is especially noticeable in scenes like the one where Rod and Nathalie try to escape from a hotel and fight off the birds, which remain fully static aside from flapping their wings. This constant onslaught ofpoor special effects leads to unintentional hilarity, eliminating any sense of terror or anticipation and making the characters' attempts to survive ridiculous instead of suspenseful.
Birdemic: Shock and Terror
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8’The Wicker Man' (2006)
Directed by Neil LaBute
Directed byNeil LaBute, better known as a playwright and screenwriter,The Wicker Manserves as a remake of the 1973 film of the same name. The story follows a sheriff named Edward Malus, played bya hilariously unhingedNicolas Cage, as he investigates a young girl who has gone missing on an isolated island. One of the most infamous horror remakes ever,The Wicker Manis endlessly rewatchable because of Cage’s performance as Edward Malus, as he is constantly overacting.
For example, in the most infamous scene in the movie, Malus is being tortured by a cage-like contraption filled with bees while screaming, “Not the bees!” in a way that comes across like he is aggressively reading off a page rather than real acting. This delivery, consistent throughout, makesCage’s performance more farcical than dramatic, to the point where it has achieved meme-worthy status. The plot itself isn’t good, either, but Cage’s aggressive performance creates comedy instead of tension.
The Wicker Man
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7’Manos: The Hands of Fate' (1966)
Directed by Harold P. Warren
Manos: The Hands of Fateis an independent supernatural folk horror film first released in 1966 and helmed byHarold P. Warrenin his only directing role. The plot follows a vacationing family caught in the clutches of a cult leader named the Master and his right-hand man, Torgo. The movie eventually got both a sequel and a prequel.
A series of seemingly out-of-nowhere scenes help elevateManos: The Hands of Fatebeyond a regular bad movie intoa so-bad-it’s-good classicby creating entertainment through surprise. Countless minute details provide a similarsense of random and unintentional comedy. For instance, there is an almost monotone tune that plays throughout, which feels more ironic than genuinely tense by playing during mundane scenes such as Torgo carrying the family’s luggage.
Manos: The Hands of Fate
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6’Plan 9 from Outer Space' (1957)
Directed by Ed Wood
Plan 9 from Outer Spaceis a science fiction horror film first released in 1957. Directed byinfamous B-movie directorEd Wood, also known for other much-maligned films such asGlen or GlendaandBride of the Monster, the plot follows a pair of alien invaders named Eros and Tanna as they enact the titular Plan 9, which involves resurrecting the dead, to prevent Earth from developing a super weapon.
Plan 9 from Outer Spaceis (in)famous for its performances. For example,Tor Johnson, who plays the undead Inspector Clay, deliverssomething more akin to a parody than a serious sci-fi story, with his tone clashing with the film’s seemingly serious approach.Plan 9 from Outer Spaceis the final movie role for classic horror iconBela Lugosi, best known for his role as the titular vampire in 1931’sDracula, providing lots of historical significance for fans of the genre.
Plan 9 From Outer Space
5’Dracula 3D' (2012)
Directed by Dario Argento
Dracula 3Dis a vampire horror film first released in 2012.Directed byDario Argento, best known for highly acclaimed giallo movies such asSuspiriaandDeep Red, the story adaptsBram Stoker’s novelDracula, as Jonathan Harker tries to stop the titular vampire from getting to his wife, Mina.
The visual effects here are horridly entertaining. For example, there is a scene in which Dracula turns into a giant praying mantis, and it’s as awful as it sounds, providing a sense of unintentional comedy instead of the violence or tension that Argento is clearly trying to convey. At points, it seems as though the film turned the terrifying tale of Dracula into a bunch of people in campy costumes fighting video game characters, which is further enhanced by the production design. For instance, some of the locations are on the same level as a high school play,giving the film an amateurish tone that kills all suspense.
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4’Night of the Lepus' (1972)
Directed by William F. Claxton
Night of the Lepusis ascience fiction horror filmfirst released in 1972. It is based on the bookThe Year of the Angry RabbitbyRussell Braddonfirst released in 1964. Directed byWilliam F. Claxton, best known for directing western films such asStagecoach To FuryandThe Quiet Gun, the plot follows a small town that has to deal with an attack by giant rabbits.
If the plot wasn’t silly enough, the creature effects on the rabbits are genuinely dreadful. In many scenes, it becomes obvious that the rabbits are normal-sized, making them seem more adorable than threatening. Alas, that’s exactly what makes the film so purely enjoyable; what could be better than killer bunnies that aren’t killer at all? Plus,Night of the Lepusalso starsJanet Leigh, who has also appeared in classic films such asPsychoandTouch of Evil, granting historical significance to fans.
Night of the Lepus
3’Hobgoblins' (1988)
Directed by Rick Sloane
Hobgoblinsis ahorror film first released in 1988. Directed byRick Sloane, who had also directedBlood Theatre, the plot follows a young security guard named Kevin as he tries to recapture a species of magical aliens that escape containment and wreak havoc on the town.
The puppet effects forthe titular hobgoblins are the stuff of bad movie legend. Each of the hobgoblins is clearly a cheap dollar store puppet, making any interaction between them and the human characters lose all tension, putting each of these scenes on the same level as a deer blocking a nature trail. Instead, the best parts ofHobgoblinsdon’t feature the cheap puppets. A variety of oddball scenes throughout further make the film absurdly enjoyable, such as the beginning in which a security guard performs on a stage with a microphone, only to fall off and die.
Hobgoblins
2’Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2' (1987)
Directed by Lee Harry
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2is a horror slasher film first released in 1987 as a sequel to the cult classicslasher movieSilent Night, Deadly Night. Directed byLee Harry, whose only other feature credit as a director isStreet Soldiers, the story follows Ricky Caldwell, the brother of the killer from the first movie, Billy, as he goes on a murder spree after being released from a psychiatric hospital.
The main aspect ofSilent Night, Deadly Night Part 2that makes it rewatchable is the performance ofEric Freemanas Ricky Caldwell. In the most notorious scene of the film, Ricky is holding a gun at an oncoming car and shouts “Garbage Day!” before then shooting at it, causing it to flip over and explode. Freeman’s overly enthusiastic delivery, which comes from a character who is supposed to be a serial killer, creates aneyebrow-raising irony that may or may not have been intentional—most likely, it wasn’t.
1’Troll 2' (1990)
Directed by Claudio Fragasso
Troll 2is a dark fantasy horror film first released in 1990. It serves as the second entry in theTrollseries despite having no connection to its predecessor.Directed byClaudio Fragasso, who is probably best known for co-directingRats: Night of TerrorwithBruno Mattei, the plot follows a family that moves to a town called Nilbog and has to survive against an army of cannibalistic goblins.
A masterpiece of bad taste and cheap filmmaking,Troll 2is truly awfulyet so rewatchable because of its delivery. For example, the most well-known scene features the character of Arnold seeing another character being eaten by the goblins and responding by shouting, “Oh my god!” in such an overly extended and poorly acted way that it truly must be seen to be believed. This absurdity is further enhanced by the accompanying zoom-in, bringing the hilarity to such a high level that this scene became an extremely popular meme. The goblin costumes are also enjoyably primitive, cementingTroll 2’s place asthe most rewatchable bad horror movie.
