Few experiences rival the joy of watching a hilariously bad movie, as film enthusiasts often find entertainment in critiquing films that miss the mark on various levels. While numerous films lack redeeming qualities and fail to be appreciated even in an ironic light, a select few cult classics have earned their reputation as being “so bad that they’re good.” These films, despite their flaws, manage to engage audiences and create a shared experience of laughter and disbelief.

Unintentionally comedic films rely heavily on the genuine earnestness of their creators, as they cannot be constructed with the intention of becoming unintentional camp. It is indeed a rarity to encounter a film that combines authentic creativity with complete cinematic incompetence, but those that do emerge become a source of delight for cinephiles who appreciate the art of laughing and jeering together. Below is a curated list of ten must-see films that epitomize the “so-bad-it’s-good” phenomenon, ranked for your viewing pleasure.

10

‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Batman & Robin effectively ended the superhero genre for several years, as this ill-fated fourth entry in the Batman franchise made a bizarre effort to replicate the playful essence of the original 1960s series featuring Adam West and Burt Ward. Regrettably, director Joel Schumacher misjudged the tone, resulting in Batman & Robin being a visually unappealing and obnoxious spectacle that became a source of embarrassment for its cast and crew.

The costumes, visual effects, and action sequences in Batman & Robin are all laughably poor, with attempts at humor that utterly fail to land. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a delightfully silly performance as Mr. Freeze, effectively salvaging the film with his outrageous puns like “ice to see you” and “everybody chill,” which showcase his complete disinterest in delivering a serious portrayal. While George Clooney is a talented actor, he was simply not suited for the role of Batman.

Your changes have been saved

See also  Will Mel Gibson direct Lethal Weapon 5 or Passion of the Christ 2?

Batman & Robin

Runtime

125 minutes

Writers

Peter Tomasi

Budget

$125 million

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Franchise(s)

Batman

Expand

Watch on Max

9

‘Troll 2’ (1990)

Directed by Claudio Fragasso

<em>Troll 2</em> represents one of the most significant declines in quality for any movie sequel, especially considering that the original Troll film was hardly a cinematic masterpiece. For a science fiction monster movie to succeed, one would expect at least some competent makeup effects to set the tone; however, Troll 2 fails spectacularly in every aspect of its visual presentation, resulting in uncontrollable laughter.

Troll 2 clearly showcases amateur production quality, as the performances are consistently flat and uninspired. Nevertheless, the script suffers from such generic and uninspired dialogue that it’s difficult to place blame on the cast; even renowned actors like Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro would struggle to deliver lines from a screenplay so remarkably underdeveloped, leaving the characters with little opportunity for growth.

Your changes have been saved

During their stay in a seemingly quaint and quiet town, a young boy tries to warn his family about the goblin-like creatures intent on turning them into plants to be eaten. As bizarre events unfold, they must unravel the mystery and find a way to avoid their grim fate.

Release Date

October 12, 1990

Director

Claudio Fragasso

Cast

Michael Stephenson, George Hardy, Margo Prey, Connie Young, Robert Ormsby, Deborah Reed

Runtime

95 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Writers

Rossella Drudi, Claudio Fragasso

Expand

Watch on MGM+

8

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

Directed by Roger Christian