7 Outrageous Cult Films from the 80s You Might Have Overlooked

      Casey Chong presents a selection of wild 80s films that you might have overlooked…

      One of the greatest pleasures of watching films is the variety across genres, from mainstream, audience-friendly offerings to indie projects and those that push genre boundaries or are simply bizarre. These can be films where logical coherence is sacrificed for something uniquely eccentric, heavily relying on unusual imagery or experimental concepts, allowing filmmakers to delve into different themes, no matter how twisted or unconventional they may be.

      This leads us to the 1980s, a time when some directors took bold risks rather than adhering to safe, conventional formulas. Below is a compilation of seven strange and lesser-known 80s films that are worth viewing if you haven’t done so already…

      **Dead End Drive-In (1986)**

      Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, this overlooked Ozploitation gem employs inspiration from the Mad Max-style dystopian action films, fusing it with elements of a prison narrative and youth disenchantment. The title accurately describes the film, which follows a young couple (Ned Manning’s Crabs and Natalie McCurry’s Carmen) as they find themselves trapped in a drive-in theater with no escape. To complicate matters, Crabs’ vehicle has lost some tires, and the owner, Thompson (Peter Whitford), is apathetic about the theft.

      The film examines how young people, especially the unemployed, prefer the easy way out by confining themselves in the “safe” prison-like drive-in, as it frees them from concerns about shelter and food. However, Crabs fights to escape the heavily fortified drive-in, despite the outside world being filled with crime and violence. The film concludes with an action-packed finale featuring a chase and, notably, a spectacular car leap through the neon sign of the Star Drive-In.

      **Dr. Caligari (1989)**

      Stephen Sayadian, also known as Rinse Dream, took the classic black-and-white German Expressionist silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and put his own spin on it with this quasi-sequel. Infusing campy comedy with twisted perversion and surreal erotic dreams, Sayadian is not concerned with a coherent storyline, rendering attempts to find sense in the film futile. This avant-garde horror features offbeat visuals, a notable use of primary colors, and deliberately awkward dialogue.

      The Caligari Insane Asylum is designed with funhouse-like props, resembling a stage production overseen by the lead character, played by the deadpan Madeleine Reynal, who portrays the granddaughter of the original Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss). Imagine Dr. Caligari as a surreal acid trip inviting you to immerse in an unforgettable experience, highlighted by striking visuals like a fleshy wall bearing thick scars, vivid red lips, and a massive, wagging tongue, along with a live scarecrow used in a bizarre experiment.

      **Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)**

      Clowns can be terrifying, so what about clowns from space who aren’t human? In Killer Klowns from Outer Space, co-writer and director Stephen Chiodo introduces a unique breed of extraterrestrial clowns. Dressed in outrageous makeup, costumes, and colorful hair, they come equipped with a live balloon dog and popcorn guns instead of traditional weapons. Their intentions aren’t to amuse humans; rather, they attack and wrap victims in pink cotton candy pods. Their spacecraft is even shaped like a colossal circus tent.

      Chiodo’s film approaches the concept with a distinctly cheesy ‘80s slasher-horror vibe and playful humor. The film is delightfully excessive, highlighted by the alien clowns showcasing amusing party tricks, such as creating shadow puppets against the wall and swallowing humans.

      **Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988)**

      In Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer’s post-apocalyptic feature Hell Comes to Frogtown, we’re introduced to the absurd premise suggested by the title. The “Hell” refers to Roddy Piper’s character, Sam Hell, one of the few remaining fertile men on Earth. He becomes government property to the extent that he is forced to wear a chastity belt-like codpiece equipped with an electroshock system for control by a government nurse named Spangle (Sandahl Bergman). His mission involves venturing into Frogtown to save fertile women held hostage by tyrannical mutant frog people and impregnate them.

      The film is comically outrageous throughout, with Roddy Piper delivering a deadpan comedic performance as a reluctant hero. It takes a while before we see Piper in action, and the movie produced two sequels, including Return to Frogtown and Max Hell Frog Warrior.

      **Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)**

      Following The Fly, Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum reunited in Earth Girls Are Easy, a sci-fi film that combines musical elements with romantic comedy. Filled with ‘80s