THE 100 MOVIES THAT MADE ME: Campy/ Horror/ Sci-Fi/ So-Bad-It's-Good
My ongoing list of truly shlocky, ambitious, and one-of-a-kind films to laugh at and love with your friends at movie night.
Despite having an alleged music career and a rich creative life, my true life's work is this: an ongoing list of every ridiculous, campy movie that makes happy chemicals in my brain.
I started this list in a Notes App folder a few years ago, when I had no idea that Letterboxd even existed. I needed a way to keep track of all the movies that evoked that peculiar feeling- the feeling that I'm getting away with watching something created in a lab to make me laugh, cringe, and spark inspiration. I even wrote an in-depth essay about how campy films have changed my life. Hell, look at one of my music videos and you'll see how campy films from the 50's-90's rewired the chemistry in my brain.
So, shown to no one except a few of my closest friends, here is the list of films that could illicit a giggle-filled night with besties, or encourage you to take some big, ridiculous swings of your own. I'll continue to add to this list as I watch more movies, so it'll be an ongoing process, and you'll never have to want for film like this again. I did the work so you don't have to, and boy, was it fun.
I hope you enjoy! And also, in personal news, I am in LA to record the last bits of my debut album (can you believe it!) this week. I'm going to be filming the process for my Cowboys AKA paid subscribers, so if you're interested in that, consider subscribing! Now onto the list.
Disclaimer: I love these movies, but as horror and sci-fi films from another generation can be, they may be problematic or contain graphic scenes that could be distressing. If you'd like to know what kind of content is in the media you consume, look up the titles beforehand.
THE LIST:
Chopping Mall
Troll 2
The Room
Piranha 3DD
Warriors of Virtue
Virtual Kombat
Samurai Cop
Toxic Avenger
Dead Silence (2007)
Christian Mingle
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Death Spa
Ghoulies
Ghoulies II
Leprechaun
Santa Jaws
8-Headed Shark Attack
Zoombies
The Last Starfighter
Laser Blast
Reefer Madness (1936)
Santa Conquers the Martians
Masters of the Universe
Birdemic
The Vampire’s Kiss
Sharknado
Basketcase
Anaconda
Fateful Findings
Twisted Pair
Critters 6
Critters
Gremlins
Gremlins 2
Saturday the 14th
Lawnmower Man
Lawnmower Man 2
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Mortal Kombat 2 (1997)
Tammy and the T Rex
The Gate
Battle Beyond the Stars
Cat Women From the Moon
Wasp Woman
Boa vs. Python
Beastmaster
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The Running Man
Sleepaway Camp
Bubba Hotep
Evil Dead
Evil Dead 2
Evil Dead: Army of darkness
Dead Silence
The Dentist 2
Monkeybone
Queen of Blood
Burlesque
Valley of the Dolls
Mommy Dearest
Big Trouble Little China
Barbarella
Flash Gordon
Frankenhooker
Showgirls
Joe and the Volcano
The Love Witch
House on Haunted Hill (1999)
Frankenhooker
Foodfight
Microwave Massacre
Spookies
The Raven
Head of the Family
Lust of the Vampire
Strait-Jacket
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Idle Hands
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Forbidden Planet
Batman (1966)
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Jason X
The Slime People
Popcorn
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
Lake Placid
House of Wax (2005)
Microwave Massacre
Freddy vs. Jason
Braindead
Sleepaway Camp
Jack Frost
Earth Girls Are Easy
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Cat Women from the Moon
Planet of the Vampires
Stay Tuned
Slumber Party Massacre 2
Did I miss any? Comment your favorites below and I’ll watch them and add them to the list. See you next week!
Stay Tuned,
Allison Ponthier
Oh boy do I have news for you - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is coming back in theaters for its 35th anniversary. I believe the dates are August 17 and 20.
Ooo just thought of this one. It used to be a 4D show in Epcot from 1986. “Captain EO” starring Michael Jackson and Anjelica Houston, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and written by George Lucas! It’s fantastic.