The film industry is massive and contains thousands upon thousands of films, ranging from good horror flicks like Halloween to musical adaptions like Wicked. However, while this industry is rather large, this means that plenty of films—both good and bad—are overlooked in favor of more popular releases. No one is to blame for such an unfortunate occurrence; that is simply what happens when the industry is oversaturated.
On the bright side, this means that film fanatics will never grow bored or tired of film, nor will they ever run out of things to watch. Some films, while not well-written, have terrible CGI, and poor acting, are still worth the watch simply for their campiness or just out of pure enjoyment. Not every single film released is peak cinema, nor should film fanatics see the film industry as such. The film industry and its genres are ever-changing, and sometimes there’s a gem hidden somewhere beneath the piles of mess. From Birdemic: Shock and Terror to Sleepaway Camp, here are obscure films that every film fanatic should see.
10
‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ (2010)
Directed by James Nguyen
Software salesman Rod (Alan Bagh) and fashion model Nathalie (Whitney Moore) are old schoolmates who have just started dating. However, as they continue their love affair, they become gradually aware of the rising catastrophe around them: hordes of birds have begun to attack Californian citizens.
Birdemic: Shock and Terror is absolutely one of the worst films to exist. But that’s the thing: Birdemic is a “it’s-so-bad-it’s-good” kind of film. It’s along the lines of Sharknado‘s filmography, where the CGI, the visuals, and the acting are corny but fun to watch. For those looking for a not-so-serious film that is just fun to watch, Birdemic: Shock and Terror is that kind of film.

Birdemic: Shock and Terror
- Release Date
-
February 27, 2010
- Runtime
-
94 minutes
- Director
-
James Nguyen
9
‘The Gingerdead Man’ (2005)
Directed by Charles Band
When Sarah Leigh (Robin Sydney) sends serial killer Millard Findlemeyer (Gary Busey) to prison where he is killed via the electric chair, he comes back as a giant gingerbread cookie at Sarah’s family-owned bakery. Sarah must survive the vicious attack on Sarah and find a way to get rid of him.
A hidden gem of a movie, The Gingerdead Man is another film that is so bad it’s good.
A hidden gem of a movie, The Gingerdead Man is another film that is so bad it’s good. Featuring a disturbing gingerbread serial killer, The Gingerdead Man is a grotesque and somewhat disturbing film with hilariously bad sequels such as Gingerdead Man 2: Passion of the Crust, Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver, and Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong. It would be a missed opportunity not to watch this oddly-entertaining franchise.
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8
‘Jack Frost’ (1997)
Directed by Michael Cooney
Serial killer Jack Frost (Scott MacDonald) is finally caught, detained, and imprisoned. When Jack is being driven to his execution one wintery day, the truck crashes, and Jack is dissolved by chemicals. This ultimately fuses him with the snow, making him part snowman. Jack Frost then goes on another murderous rampage.
Jack Frost is a part black comedy, part slasher film. It is also, unsurprisingly, one of the best Christmas-centered horror films to date. Even though it has bad CGI and a corny script, Jack Frost is a fun, campy film that is both disturbing and hilarious.
Jack Frost
- Release Date
-
November 18, 1997
- Runtime
-
89 minutes
- Director
-
Michael Cooney
7
‘The Toxic Avenger’ (1984)
Directed by Michael Herz & Lloyd Kaufman
Health club janitor Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen) is consistently humiliated by the clientele. One day, when the humiliation goes too far, Melvin falls into a barrel of toxic waste, which disfigures him immensely and gives him superhuman strength. Now known as the Toxic Avenger, Melvin fights crime in the city with his newfound strength.
Another, campy-sort-of-film, The Toxic Avenger is oddly a charming film that makes it a fun watch. It might not have the best storytelling, but there’s something to like about a crime fighter who understands harassment and violence on a personal level. The Toxic Avenger saw a 2023 reboot starring Peter Dinklage. For those who enjoy superhero films, The Toxic Avenger, though campy, is a wonderful superhero film that essentially reminds viewers that, despite outward appearances, the inner self should instead be judged.

The Toxic Avenger
- Release Date
-
November 1, 1985
- Runtime
-
82 Minutes
- Director
-
Michael Herz
- Writers
-
Lloyd Kaufman
, Joe Ritter
6
‘The Quiet Earth’ (1985)
Directed by Geoff Murphy
One day, Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself to be the only remaining human on the planet; everyone else has vanished, presumably due to a United States project. While living day to day as the only person left, he then encounters two other living humans: Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Pete Smith).
An engaging science fiction film, The Quiet Earth evokes curiosity in the viewer. It’s essentially an exploration of loneliness and the hardships that come with it. The Quiet Earth is an intriguing film, one that leads viewers to question one’s own existence in the world. Not to mention, this film brings to light many questions that one has about humanity, and The Quiet Earth brings about a sense of eeriness when it comes to the population dwindling down to such minuscule numbers.

The Quiet Earth
- Release Date
-
September 8, 1985
- Runtime
-
91 minutes
- Director
-
Geoff Murphy
- Producers
-
Don Reynolds
5
‘Skinamarink’ (2022)
Directed by Kyle Edward Ball
Two children wake up one night to find their father is missing. In addition to that, windows and doors are vanishing from their home. Little by little, other objects in their home begin to vanish, and both children are left alone in this ever-changing home.
Skinamarink is known for being confusing at times, due to the inexplainable occurrences of objects just vanishing out of nowhere. However, it’s a well-written story that depicts the very real childhood fears of the dark that everyone has experienced at one time or another. This depiction will make viewers experience dread and a sense of uneasiness, and though the film itself suffers from clarity, that does not necessarily make it a bad film. Rather, the lack of clarity provides viewers with a chance to interpret the film as they please, which makes for a good film to discuss.

Skinamarink
- Release Date
-
January 13, 2023
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
- Director
-
Kyle Edward Ball
- Writers
-
Kyle Edward Ball
4
‘V/H/S’ (2012)
Directed by Adam Wingard, David Bruckner, et al.
Criminals Brad (Adam Wingard), Rox (Kentucker Audley), Zak (Lane Hughes), and Gary (Calvin Reeder) break into an abandoned house and steal a VHS tape. However, upon breaking in, they discover a corpse in the house and a TV with a VHS in its system. Brad watches the tape, and he discovers something utterly disturbing about those tapes.
V/H/S is a franchise that often tells a story in parts. Though it has generally received mixed reviews, it is considered a success for its found-footage storytelling, which evokes a feeling of unease in the watchers. Though the films do not connect with one another, a much more frightening story is told behind the scenes, and the eeriness of these odd films makes for an uncomfortable watch. V/H/S has spawned several other sequel films, including V/H/S/2, V/H/S: Viral, V/H/S/94, V/H/S/99, V/H/S/85, and V/H/S/Beyond, and a few spinoff films such as SiREN and Kids vs. Aliens.

V/H/S
- Release Date
-
October 5, 2012
- Runtime
-
116minutes
- Sequel(s)
-
V/H/S/2
, V/H/S/94
3
‘The ABCs of Death’ (2013)
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo, Kaare Andrews, et al.
The ABCs of Death is an anthology of short horror stories that all result in death in one way or another. With each letter of the alphabet comes a new way to die, and these deaths can range from murders and accidents to anything insanely ridiculous.
The ABCs of Death was a film written by a little over two dozen directors. Each death in the film corresponds to a letter of the alphabet, which makes for some interesting and sometimes ridiculous deaths. Viewers will find themselves hilariously pleased with the stories written by these directors, and the silliness is what makes the film all the more entertaining to watch. While not necessarily as scary as the genre implies, it is just a plain fun watch. For those who don’t mind a bit of goofiness in their horror films, The ABCs of Death is a missed opportunity for any film fanatic.

The ABCs of Death
- Release Date
-
March 8, 2013
- Runtime
-
129 Minutes
- Director
-
Kaare Andrews
, Angela Bettis
, Héléne Cattet
, Ernesto Diaz Espinoza
, Jason Eisener
, Bruno Forzani
2
‘Sharktopus’ (2010)
Directed by Declan O’Brien
Nathan Sands (Eric Roberts) and his daughter Nicole (Sara Malakul Lane) are geneticists who have been assigned by the US Navy to create a shark and octopus crossover. This Sharktopus crossbreed, now fully grown, escapes military control, which forces Nicole and Nathan to find this Sharktopus and kill it before it continues its horrific rampage.
Sharktopus is an interesting shark film that is definitely unique from the dozens that have been made. However, while there are plenty of unique shark films to watch during Shark Week, Sharktopus is an entirely different species—both literally and figuratively. Not to mention, this shark film spawned several other sequels that involve various other cross-breed species, including Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda and Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf, both of which present interesting tie-ins to the original Sharktopus. Every shark film lover needs to see this film.
Sharktopus
- Release Date
-
September 25, 2010
- Directors
-
Declan O’Brien
- Writers
-
Mike MacLean
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1
‘Sleepaway Camp’ (1983)
Directed by Robert Hiltzik
When Angela (Felissa Rose) is the remaining survivor of a boat accident involving her dad (Dan Tursi), her dad’s boyfriend Lenny (James Paradise), and her brother Peter, she is sent to live with her aunt. Years later, she and her cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tiersten) go to summer camp; however, the more Angela is bullied, the more people die due to odd occurrences.
Sleepaway Camp is a good but underrated gem of a horror film. Like all slasher films in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Sleepaway Camp is entertaining for all the different ways the characters die. A good slasher film with a twist ending that viewers will not see coming. Not to mention, the acting is impressive, especially since plenty of the actors are young compared to other films. A campy slasher film at heart, Sleepaway Camp knows its audience well. For those who love the slasher genre, Sleepaway Camp is worth a watch.

Sleepaway Camp
- Release Date
-
November 18, 1983
- Runtime
-
84 minutes
- Director
-
Robert Hiltzik
- Writers
-
Robert Hiltzik