It's surprising how many there are favorite horror movies They were heavily influenced by the previous films and the work was really quite unusual when it came down to it. While this may seem like a point of criticism, it was never a bad thing for horror films of the past or directors to wear their influences on their sleeve, and just because a film is derivative doesn't mean it's bad. In fact, many of the biggest cult hits have taken premises already explored in other films and expanded upon them to create something better.
Some of the best cult horror movies owe a lot to the classics of the past, as actors, directors, and writers brazenly rip up worn-out tropes and clichés to create big B-movie favorites, satirical commentary, or just plain laughs. funny out loud horror comedies. As a recurring genre, it's almost impossible to make a slasher movie these days without copying aspects Halloween or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Horror's incredible history has informed many great films, and knowledge of horror classics can make watching cult favorites even more enjoyable.
10 Piranha (1978)
Directed by Joe Dante
the unprecedented success of Jaws In 1975, it launched the concept of the summer blockbuster and spawned many copycat films. One prime example of this was the religious favorite PiranhaA B-movie Jaws A heist that takes things from the seaside to a river infested with murderous, genetically modified piranhas. With truly terrifying special effects and some satirical humor, Piranha he was self-aware enough to wear it Jaws affecting his arm so much so that Steven Spielberg himself called it “The best of the Jaws ripoffs.”
Similarities between them Piranha and Jaws it was so surprising that Universal Pictures considered issuing an injunction to stop the release of the film and compete directly with it. Jaws 2 from the same year. However, Spielberg had no problem with the film, and it quickly gained a following as a cult favorite. as Jaws, Piranha acted as the start of an entire franchise, complete with sequels and remakes.
9 The Stuff (1985)
Directed by Larry Cohen
Taking great influence from the horror classics of the 1950s Blob and Invasion of Body Snatchers, The Stuff It was a religious favorite with a satirical sci-fi twist. After the discovery of a white cream-like substance, this mysterious thing becomes America's favorite new dessert, packaged and sold in ice cream containers. But panic soon sets in when aliens attack the public and start turning them into zombies in this hilarious horror film written and directed by Larry Cohen.
As inspired by 1950s horror films, The Stuff it was biting social commentary addressing rampant consumerism and the zombification of the American public. Although not original in its original concept, the performance of the camp The Stuff made him a firm cult favorite. Treat satirical social commentary as delicious entertainment, The Stuff is a great 1980s horror to watch with a group of friends.
8 The Chopping Center (1986)
Directed by Jim Wynorski
Machining Center It mixed George A. Romero's shopping mall environment Dawn of the Dead and the robots vs. humanity plot Terminator creating cult favorite techno-horror. From writer and director Jim Wynorski, Machining Center focused on technologically advanced security robots turning evil and killing their teenage employees of the shopping center. While the concept is completely derivative of other films, bringing all these influences together in one film made for some interesting tongue-in-cheek entertainment.
As a powerful metaphor for overconsumption during the Reagan era in the United States, Machining Center it was clever social commentary with an anti-consumerist message. As a low-budget B-movie with laughable special effects, Machining Center would never live up to the achievements of his influences, so instead he took his concept and had fun with it. Machining Center was a treasure trove of horror movie clichés, and all the better for it.
7 Galaxy of Terror (1981)
Directed by Bruce D. Clark
Produced by B-movie horror legend Roger Corman. Galaxy of Terror It was unusual for an unusual horror, because it borrowed a lot from him Alienthen greatly influenced its continuation, Foreigners. Like a dystopian future Alien before that, Galaxy of Terror saw the space crew encounter a mysterious alien. Although Galaxy of Terror initially received negative reviews, has since developed a cult following and is generally considered the best of all Alien drag heists on a grand scale of unoriginal horror films.
In fact, there is a direct connection between Galaxy of Terror and Alien the franchise ripped it off as the future Foreigners director James Cameron worked as a production designer and director of the second unit in the film. Cameron's innovative methods helped rise galaxy of terror, and he brought the same drive and enthusiasm Alien the franchise he later worked on. With a scary and dark visual aesthetic, Galaxy of Terror had a lot of influence Alien but also brings a lot of new ideas to the table.
6 Sharknado (2013)
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante
Totally ridiculous Sharknado This meant that this Syfy made-for-TV movie quickly became a beloved cult favorite. taking significant influence from Jaws, Sharknado intense tornadoes brought the action to sea, land and air as the sharks were sent flying, creating a terrifying situation where people were not safe no matter where they were hiding. This was part of its charm, albeit highly comedic in its extreme intensity Sharknado Although his more comedic nature was reflected in the litany of later series, it was played completely straight.
Sharknado it was proudly and unabashedly ridiculous because it adopted a too-bad-good aesthetic to become a true cult classic. Full of plotholes and flawed logic, it seems Sharknado along with the increasingly unbelievable nature of its narrative, is designed with the expectation that the audience will be able to laugh. Although far from an original horror film, Sharknado took horror parodies to the absolute limit With a film that truly has to be seen to be believed.
5 Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Directed by Robert Hiltzik
Sleepaway Camp was an unoriginal horror influenced by previous slasher films. However, despite its derivative nature, it still acted as the starting point for the entire franchise and gained a reputation as a cult favorite. With a shocking ending where serial killer Angela Baker was born a man and, in retrospect, is forced to live as a woman and suffers severe mental anguish. Sleepaway Camp Through a modern lens, it makes for uncomfortable viewing.
However, despite these criticisms, Sleepaway Camp was still a solid slasher film full of exciting twists and turns. A low-budget horror that doesn't hesitate to steal freely Friday the 13th franchise, frenetic energy and tongue-in-cheek humor made this film a cult favorite. Although the sequels do not have the same charm, in this way Sleepaway Camp Mixing the scares of slasher classics with John Waters' impressive sense of weirdness made it a unique and enjoyable cult favorite.
4 The Creeping Night (1986)
Directed by Fred Dekker
Despite the poor special effects and amateur aesthetic, Night of the Reptiles it was such a loving homage to the horror films of yesteryear that it is impossible not to be fascinated by him. Like Fred Dekker's directorial debut, this B-movie cult classic borrows heavily from other alien invasion, slasher, and zombie movies, a high-tension spoof. Following a college student and his best friend who steal a body from a cryogenics lab, things soon take a sinister turn when the dead body is revealed to be under alien control.
Night of the Reptiles mixed aspects of detective films, horror films, romance, science fiction and comedy became so completely derivative of other films that in the process it became truly unique. With a wonderfully silly story, this B-movie cult favorite has something to please all audiences. Unfortunately, Dekker's talents as a director did not develop significantly after this release, as he only directed two subsequent films, equally well-received cult films. Monster Squad and a dull sequel Robocop 3.
3 Lake Placid (1999)
Directed by Steve Miner
Horror comedy Lake Placid It wouldn't exist without the influence of its live-action features, especially since it's heavily influenced by monster movies Jaws. giant crocodile movie, Lake Placid, He saw the residents of Black Lake trapped under a monstrous beast that police and scientists battled to bring down. Lake Placid In one of her best films, Betty White played the role of a little old woman who feeds a giant crocodile until it grows to size.
while Lake Placid It was essentially a retread of every monster movie trope under the sunit was a wildly entertaining film that still garnered audiences. With many atrocities, Lake Placid knowing the films it was influenced by, it ironically worked well. The success of this outrageous creature feature even led to the release of five low-budget, made-for-TV series.
2 Friday the 13th (1980)
Directed by Sean S. Cunningham
Friday the 13th He leaned over to John Carpenter Halloween ultimate success to produce a new slasher classic that launched its own equally successful franchise. Taking familiar horror tropes and taking them to their absolute extreme, this seedy story about a group of teenagers murdered at a reopened, formerly abandoned summer camp began as an independent film, but soon became a mainstream hit after securing mainstream release. While deranged mother Mrs. Voorhees was the original villain, her son Jason later became the franchise's most iconic antagonist.
It had a budget of only $550,000 and grossed around $60 million Numbers), Friday the 13th was a huge success following in the footsteps of horror classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre To represent the gradual disintegration of the American family. while Friday the 13th earned a reputation as the definitive slasher, but also has a seriously loyal cult following that spawned sequels, crossovers, and reboots.
1 Scream (1996)
Directed by Wes Craven
Equal parts satire and horror, Wes Craven Screaming was also the rare mainstream horror hit that garnered universal critical acclaim and a seriously devoted following. Like the man behind the horror classics The Hills Have Eyes and Nightmare on Elm StreetCraven was the perfect director to make this tongue-in-cheek film that delivers a thrilling story while knowingly paying homage to the whole. As a metacommentary on horror films themselves, Screaming It was just the beginning of a franchise that continues to this day.
It is clear from the beginning Screaming The story of a costumed serial killer was not originally original as it appeared in everything Halloween for Friday the 13th. However, Craven used these outdated tropes to interpret the horror genre itself, and it was this knowing interpretation that helped cement its status. religious horror favorite. As a mainstream hit that also boasts campy, B-movie appeal, Screaming really ticked all the right boxes and didn't have to reinvent the wheel to do it.
Source: The Numbers