Horror Flicks That Might Make You...

by CraigMRosenthal | created - 13 Apr 2013 | updated - 13 Apr 2013 | Public

Scratch your head and wonder why I made a list of horror films like this. These are grade B to Z movies of the 70's and 80's that have gone overlooked or simply forgotten in the annals of cinema time. Anyway, have fun and hope you enjoy!

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1. The Beast Within (1982)

R | 98 min | Horror

42 Metascore

A young woman gets raped by a mysterious man-creature, and years later her son begins a horrific transformation into a similar beast.

Director: Philippe Mora | Stars: Ronny Cox, Bibi Besch, Paul Clemens, Don Gordon

Votes: 4,546 | Gross: $7.74M

Really enjoy this film from Philippe Mora. It's a genuinely creepy B film that seems to have, to this day, divided audiences. The storyline is uneven and the plot in general kind of makes you scratch your head. But it's a brooding film with amazing atmosphere and worth checking out.

2. The Outing (1987)

R | 87 min | Horror

A group of high schoolers decide to stay in a natural museum after closing hours, but a newly acquired and mysterious lamp hiding a deadly force will turn the fun into horror.

Director: Tom Daley | Stars: Deborah Winters, James Huston, Andra St. Ivanyi, Scott Bankston

Votes: 2,135 | Gross: $1.08M

The Outing, actually a re-edit of a film called The Lamp. Why was it re-edited? I cannot say. This grade B to Z film I was not allowed to watch as a kid. But I watched it anyway and since it has been somewhat of a favorite with its bad special effects and goofy looking evil Djinn. This was kind of Wishmaster before Wishmaster.

3. The Brain (1988)

R | 94 min | Horror, Sci-Fi

A psychologist with an increasingly popular TV show brainwashes his audiences using a giant living brain. A mischievous high school student is sent to the psychologist's institute, and becomes determined to expose him.

Director: Ed Hunt | Stars: Tom Bresnahan, Cynthia Preston, David Gale, George Buza

Votes: 3,516

Yes, The Brain. A very stupid film? Oh yeah. A very fun film? Definitely. From the ridiculous plot and acting to the hilariously bad special effects, this movie has been a childhood favorite for years. And it also has the late David Gale playing a crazed therapist and a giant brain that looks more like a rotten monkey head.

4. The Monster Club (1981)

Unrated | 104 min | Comedy, Horror, Musical

45 Metascore

A writer of horror stories is invited to a "monster club" by a mysterious old gentleman. There, three gruesome stories are told to him; between each story some musicians play their songs.

Director: Roy Ward Baker | Stars: Vincent Price, John Carradine, Anthony Steel, Roger Sloman

Votes: 4,530

With Vincent Price, John Carradine, Donald Pleasance and Stewart Whitman, The Monster Club is a fairly fun anthology with a very 80's B movie feel to it. It's hokey and will probably only appeal to us that grew up in this era. I actually saw for the first time with Elvira hosting when I was just a kid.

5. The Appointment (1982)

90 min | Horror

A British horror film that starts with a bang, then settles into a slow-moving examination of one day in the life of a British family--a day full of tension and foreboding.

Director: Lindsey C. Vickers | Stars: Edward Woodward, Jane Merrow, Samantha Weysom, John Judd

Votes: 928

This British film seems to have been forgotten entirely. Which is truly sad as it is one very creepy film. Starring Edward Woodward of The Wicker Man fame, the film is a very different kind of horror film relying on atmosphere and mood over a strong plot. If you can find a copy give this movie a chance.

6. I Drink Your Blood (1971)

R | 83 min | Horror

A group of Satanic hippies wreak havoc on a small town where a young boy whose sister and grandfather were victimized by them tries to get even--with deadly results.

Director: David E. Durston | Stars: Bhaskar Roy Chowdhury, Jadin Wong, Rhonda Fultz, George Patterson

Votes: 4,148

Angry Manson like hippies take acid and eat meat pies that have rabies in them, turning the hippies into stark raving lunatics. Yeah, you read that right. This was one of the funniest B films I have ever seen. What a hilarious premise!

7. Alucarda (1977)

R | 78 min | Horror

After the death of her parents, a young girl arrives at a convent and brings a sinister presence with her. Is it her enigmatic imaginary friend, Alucarda, who is to blame? Or is there a satanic force at work?

Director: Juan López Moctezuma | Stars: Claudio Brook, David Silva, Tina Romero, Susana Kamini

Votes: 4,079

A genuinely bizarre and creepy film about demonic possession. This has become somewhat of a cult movie over the years but it still seems that not many people know about it. It's a great film and far surpasses many of the other demonic possession films of the 70's, which leads me to...

8. The Antichrist (1974)

R | 112 min | Drama, Horror

A paralyzed young woman becomes possessed by the Devil when a hypnosis session - intended to heal her disability - accidentally awakens memories of her past life as a witch.

Director: Alberto De Martino | Stars: Carla Gravina, Mel Ferrer, Arthur Kennedy, George Coulouris

Votes: 1,913

One of the most notorious Exorcist ripoffs of all time. With Mel Ferrer in a low point in his career. This movie attempts to recreate some of the more disturbing moments from The Exorcist but with hilarious results. As well, the movie is also known for a gross out orgy involving a goat. Blech...

9. From Beyond (1986)

R | 85 min | Horror, Sci-Fi

60 Metascore

A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms.

Director: Stuart Gordon | Stars: Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Ted Sorel, Ken Foree

Votes: 30,727 | Gross: $1.26M

One of the very early films that Stuart Gordan directed with his usual cast of Jeffery Combs, Barbara Crampton, and Carolyn Purdy-Gordon. This movie I have argued is better than his more well known Lovecraft film Re-animator. Although he takes more liberties with From Beyond, I found the movie far more enjoyable and much more disturbing and disgusting.

10. The Murder Secret (1988)

88 min | Horror

A family of 4 makes a long drive to Aunt Martha's house to visit her for the first time in years. Only she isn't there. Just the caretaker and his message that she will appear the next day...if they survive the night.

Director: Mario Bianchi | Stars: Adriana Russo, Gabriele Tinti, Anna Maria Placido, Luciana Ottaviani

Votes: 385

Otherwise known as The Murder Secret. It's a film produced by Lucio Fulci (he even may have filmed the gore scenes). The Murder Secret is a great atmospheric horror flick with an amazing score. Is it entirely original? No, not at all. But it is worth checking out if you are able to track down a copy.

11. Inseminoid (1981)

R | 93 min | Horror, Sci-Fi

A crew of interplanetary archaeologists is threatened when an alien creature impregnates one of their members, causing her to turn homicidal and murder them one by one.

Director: Norman J. Warren | Stars: Robin Clarke, Jennifer Ashley, Stephanie Beacham, Steven Grives

Votes: 4,310

Also known as Inseminoid. This movie might be a little more known at this point than some of the other films on this list. It's a fun and bizarre space flick that people say ripped off Alien. But really, if you watch it there is almost nothing in common other than the setting.

12. Alien 2: On Earth (1980)

R | 92 min | Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi

A spaceship lands back on Earth after a failed mission, but the astronauts have been replaced by hideous creatures that can penetrate people's bodies and make them explode. A group of cave ... See full summary »

Directors: Ciro Ippolito, Biagio Proietti | Stars: Belinda Mayne, Mark Bodin, Roberto Barrese, Benedetta Fantoli

Votes: 1,694

Unlike Inseminoid, Alien 2 is a blatant cash-in on Alien. Although the films really have nothing in common, the thought at the time was that Alien 2 would confuse people into thinking that a sequel to Alien had been made and would make money. Not sure if that worked as this movie is very obscure. But if you can find a copy it is genuinely bad with some awesome gore effects and a cool synth score.

13. The Killer Nun (1979)

Not Rated | 88 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Legendary Swedish sex bomb Anita Ekberg stars as Sister Gertrude, a cruel nun who discovers depraved pleasure in a frenzy of drug addiction, sexual degradation and sadistic murder.

Director: Giulio Berruti | Stars: Anita Ekberg, Alida Valli, Massimo Serato, Daniele Dublino

Votes: 2,240

What we have here is a classic Nunsploitation film. Surprisingly well acted, this was actually a good B film. Unlike the hilariously bad...

14. The Other Hell (1981)

R | 88 min | Horror, Thriller

Nuns become possessed by the Devil and lust after the abbot!

Director: Bruno Mattei | Stars: Franca Stoppi, Carlo De Mejo, Francesca Carmeno, Susan Forget

Votes: 1,075

The Other Hell from director Bruno Mattei. For those that know any of his films you will know that he makes horrorsploitation films. Meaning that he usually rips off many other more well known horror films. Even to the point where he uses music from the better film illegally! This was a hilarious film and certainly will shock anyone that sees it, but I think for all the wrong reasons.

15. Monster Dog (1984)

R | 84 min | Horror, Music

A rock star returns to his childhood home to shoot a music video while a pack of wild dogs are on the loose killing off the local residents.

Director: Claudio Fragasso | Stars: Alice Cooper, Victoria Vera, Carlos Santurio, Pepa Sarsa

Votes: 1,598

Directed by Claudio Fragasso of Troll 2 fame and starring Alice Cooper with his voice dubbed. Monster Dog is another childhood favorite. As a kid, the movie scared me. As an adult, I liked the music and the atmosphere but everything else is certainly on the grade Z level. For bad movie enthusiasts and Alice Cooper fans only!

16. Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (1987)

R | 83 min | Comedy, Horror, Music

At a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, a hopeful hair-metal band seeking inspiration to record their upcoming new LP will soon find themselves in a furious confrontation against the Prince of Darkness himself.

Director: John Fasano | Stars: Cindy Cirile, Jesse D'Angelo, Chris Finkel, Jon Mikl Thor

Votes: 2,083

This might be one of the funniest films ever made just for the last ten minutes of the film alone. Starring John Mikael Thor from the band Thor. I really can't even describe this movie as it is genuinely a super Z film. The end of the film is beyond hilarity though and is worth buying just for that alone.

17. Blood and Lace (1971)

R | 87 min | Horror

After her prostitute mother is murdered, a teenage girl is sent to a remote orphanage run by a mysterious woman and her handyman, both whom she comes to suspect are hiding dark secrets.

Director: Philip Gilbert | Stars: Gloria Grahame, Melody Patterson, Milton Selzer, Len Lesser

Votes: 1,227

This one is definitely out there. There are a few plots going on in this B flick and it's something that just needs to be seen as it is sort of ahead of its time. And there is a serial killer that resembles Freddy Kruger as well!

18. Axe (1977)

R | 65 min | Horror, Thriller

Three criminals on a murder spree arrives at a farmhouse, where a girl is living with her paralyzed grandfather.

Director: Frederick R. Friedel | Stars: Leslie Lee, Jack Canon, Ray Green, Frederick R. Friedel

Votes: 1,529

Axe is a very obscure psychological horror film. It's not very long either, running around one hour. Axe is certainly unique as it has to do with a girl that is not all that she seems. It's worth taking a look. It's other title, that makes more sense, is Lisa, Lisa.

19. The Incubus (1981)

R | 93 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller

A small town's doctor takes matters into his own hands after a series of gruesome and bizarre rape crimes perplex the clueless authorities.

Director: John Hough | Stars: John Cassavetes, John Ireland, Kerrie Keane, Helen Hughes

Votes: 2,953

A really creepy film about some sort of a creature raping and mutilating women of a small town. This is easily a film you will not forget and, much like The Beast Within, seems to have a similar rap among audiences.

20. Ghosthouse (1988)

Not Rated | 95 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Visions of a deceased girl and her doll bring doom to the visitors of a deserted house.

Director: Umberto Lenzi | Stars: Lara Wendel, Greg Rhodes, Mary Sellers, Ron Houck

Votes: 2,952

Hahaha! This movie is hilarious and creepy all at the same time. It's a very dated film that has to do with the ghost of a child and her creepy psychotic clown doll that butcher a bunch of losers. Directed by notorious horror director Umberto Lenzi (credited as the hilarious name Humphrey Humbert) this is a hilarious gorefest with a paper thin plot, bad acting, and a creepy clown that sings some creepy song.

21. Dead of Night (1974)

PG | 88 min | Drama, Horror, Thriller

A young soldier killed in the Vietnam War inexplicably shows up at his family home on the night of his death.

Director: Bob Clark | Stars: John Marley, Lynn Carlin, Richard Backus, Henderson Forsythe

Votes: 5,999 | Gross: $0.03M

Directed by Bob Clark and written by Alan Ormsby, Deathdream is a really great film and much better than there earlier film Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things.

22. Spookies (1986)

R | 85 min | Comedy, Horror

A wicked sorcerer tries to sacrifice a group of people inside his house with the intention of using their vitality to keep his wife alive.

Directors: Genie Joseph, Thomas Doran, Brendan Faulkner | Stars: Felix Ward, Maria Pechukas, Dan Scott, Alec Nemser

Votes: 4,171

Originally was suppose to be a movie called Twisted Souls but was drastically changed and re-edited by the producers to the behest of the original filmmakers. Still, Spookies is a ton of fun with just about every kind of monster thrown into the fray. Although not a gory film, Spookies is a riot of goofiness.

23. TerrorVision (1986)

R | 85 min | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi

"TerrorVision" is a 1986 horror / science fiction movie; telling the tale of when a family's new satellite television system starts receiving signals from another planet, and soon it becomes the passageway to an alien world.

Director: Ted Nicolaou | Stars: Diane Franklin, Mary Woronov, Gerrit Graham, Chad Allen

Votes: 7,764 | Gross: $0.32M

TerrorVision? Why not! Another film I grew up watching and as far as monster movies go, this is one of the best out there. The comedy is bizarre (Is Stanley a "manly-man"), the whole situation is surreal, and the monster was awesome.

24. I Was a Teenage Zombie (1987)

Not Rated | 90 min | Comedy, Horror

Teenage vigilantes kill a drug pusher only to have him return as a zombie.

Director: John Elias Michalakis | Stars: Michael Rubin, Steve McCoy, George Seminara, Craig Sabin

Votes: 948

My friends and I loved this film growing up. Despite the title sounding like a kid friendly film, I Was a Teenage Zombie is filled with some really low budget, yet revolting gore moment. Such as a fat kid getting his face ripped off and a girl having her legs ripped off having sex with a zombie. Also it has some hilarious dialog about buying weed.

25. Beware: Children at Play (1989)

R | 94 min | Horror, Thriller

A mentally-disturbed teenager kidnaps and brainwashes children into cannibalistic psychopaths - but not when the adults intervene.

Director: Mik Cribben | Stars: Michael Robertson, Rich Hamilton, Robin Lilly, Lori Romero

Votes: 1,448

Only Troma would release a movie like this. It has to do with the children of a small town murdering the adults. Sounds like something else we have seen before? The ending came under a lot of controversy as the film is just a build up to a massacre of children at the end.

26. Ratu ilmu hitam (1981)

Not Rated | 90 min | Drama, Horror

A woman is accused of being a witch and thrown to her death over a cliff. A strange man rescues her, nurses her back to health, and is told that she must master black magic in order to exact vengeance on her tormentors.

Director: Liliek Sudjio | Stars: Suzzanna, W.D. Mochtar, Teddy Purba, Sofia W.D.

Votes: 574

Possibly one of the funniest Asian horror films I have ever seen. The movie is filled with some fantastic gore sequences and a revenge plotline.

27. Criminally Insane (1975)

R | 61 min | Horror, Thriller

An obese woman recently released from an insane asylum kills anyone who attempts to get her to stop eating.

Director: Nick Millard | Stars: Priscilla Alden, Michael Flood, Jane Lambert, Robert Copple

Votes: 1,127

One of the dumbest and funniest grade Z films of all time. Criminally Insane has to do with a fat woman that is released from a psychiatric hospital and is returned to her Mother. There, her mother locks up all the food which causes Crazy Fat Ethel to go on a murderous rampage killing her family and being sent back to the hospital. This is one very funny movie but do NOT see the sequel that comes with the DVD set. It is one of the worst films ever.

28. Octaman (1971)

PG | 79 min | Sci-Fi, Horror

A team of researchers discovers a strange mutation of man and octopus who proceeds to terrorize them.

Director: Harry Essex | Stars: Pier Angeli, Kerwin Mathews, Jeff Morrow, David Essex

Votes: 1,275 | Gross: $0.28M

Something is very funny about seeing a guy in a octopus suit terrorize locals. As well, he makes a girlfriend at some point in the movie. Or something like that.

29. Mutant (1984)

R | 99 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Two brothers discover that the residents of a small Southern town are being infected by a form of toxic waste, turning them into blood-ravenous zombies.

Directors: John 'Bud' Cardos, Mark Rosman | Stars: Wings Hauser, Bo Hopkins, Jody Medford, Lee Montgomery

Votes: 2,858

Mutant was a surprisingly decent horror film starring Wings Hauser. Although I understand there was some production issues the movie is not all that bad and is actually kind of fun to watch. The only thing it's missing is a few decent gore effects.

30. Galaxy of Terror (1981)

R | 81 min | Action, Adventure, Horror

38 Metascore

A ragtag spaceship crew sent on a rescue mission encounter a formidable enemy, their worst fears projected by their own imaginations.

Director: Bruce D. Clark | Stars: Edward Albert, Erin Moran, Ray Walston, Bernard Behrens

Votes: 8,887

An awesome film produced by Roger Corman filled with vile monsters and grotesque murder scenes. How many films can you see Joanie from Happy Days explode into a gory mess?



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