10 Amazing Cult B-Movies from the VHS Era

      Lower your brow and grab the popcorn, as it’s time to explore ten must-see cult B-movie treasures from the VHS era…

      The essence of the simple B-movie (which has now morphed into what we call A-movies in today’s mainstream film industry) was to offer escapist entertainment without pretension or in-depth psychological analysis. In contrast to the blockbuster budgets that run into the tens or hundreds of millions today, let’s rewind to a time when B-movies were made with spare change from a producer's couch, featuring classics from the flourishing VHS era of the 80s and 90s...

      Trancers

      Charles Band is a legend in the realm of B-movies. Therefore, it’s fitting to begin with one of the standout works in Band’s unique catalog. Trancers debuted shortly after James Cameron's Terminator. The extent to which Cameron’s film influenced Band is uncertain, as the former was yet to fully establish its enduring legacy. However, it’s another film from 1982, Blade Runner, that significantly shaped Trancers. From the costumes to the neon-lit, smoky world where Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) pursues 'Trancers,' this film resembles a budget version of Blade Runner, and Band extracts remarkable quality from it. The action unfolds in contemporary Los Angeles as Deth travels back in time to confront a rogue Trancer. With a brisk and well-paced 76 minutes, Trancers exemplifies a B-movie executed remarkably well. It’s incredibly entertaining and spawned a franchise, as well as launching Helen Hunt’s career. She shines, and Tim Thomerson is even more impressive as the world-weary bounty hunter.

      Scanner Cop

      Originating from B-movie mastermind David Cronenberg, Scanners unexpectedly developed into a franchise, branching out into two Scanner Cop films that integrated telekinetic powers into police dramas. This unique blend of mid-90s action, cop thrillers, and sci-fi horror gives Scanner Cop an appealing premise, and thankfully, it is well-executed by producer Pierre David, who is mainly known for his work on Cronenberg’s films (including the original Scanners). It’s surprising he directed only one film after Scanner Cop (his debut). While he may not be Cronenberg, Scanner Cop confidently flows together with a distinct visual style. The body horror effects are impressive as well. Overall, every Scanners film remains watchable, making it a surprisingly consistent franchise despite spanning five films (including the two Scanner Cop entries).

      Retroactive

      Jim Belushi transitioned from comedic sidekick to leading man, but his best films often felt like inferior versions of greater works (think K9 versus Turner and Hooch). A descent into direct-to-video fare was inevitable, but Belushi carved out a niche as a tough cop in crime thrillers. The 1997 film Retroactive stands as a solid time-loop action thriller that particularly shines in the action department and features Belushi as the antagonist who repeatedly torments Kylie Travis, who inadvertently finds herself caught in a loop. Over the years, Retroactive has garnered a cult following simply because it’s a great deal of fun. Yes, logic and coherence may occasionally take a backseat, but the recurring scenarios never get tiresome, and the cast shines. Belushi, in particular, delights in portraying his awkward and sarcastic persona while introducing a darker element.

      The Hidden

      Jack Sholder’s crowning achievement (though I argue it competes closely with his underrated A Nightmare on Elm Street 2) is The Hidden. This film is incredibly straightforward, featuring a body-jumping alien parasite wreaking havoc in LA, pursued by a cop and a quirky character with a significant reason for his oddness. The film’s seamless transition from one action sequence to another with a cheeky tone adds to The Hidden's enduring allure, making it a classic that many discover later on. Michael Nouri plays the quintessential hard-nosed cop, while Kyle MacLachlan portrays the federal agent assisting him while keeping a secret. MacLachlan is perfectly cast and excels in his quirky role, which contributes to the film's strengths, allowing it to stand out among other genre mashups of its time. If you haven’t yet seen The Hidden, make it a priority.

      Dollman

      Having already mentioned Charles Band, it’s only fitting to also highlight an Albert Pyun classic (produced by Band, incidentally). Tim Thomerson, a long-time collaborator with Pyun, stars in a role similar to Jack Deth. In this film, Thomerson plays a space cop (unlike the time-traveling bounty hunter) who comes to Earth to track down criminals. There’s just one minor issue—he’s only 13 inches tall. It’s as absurd as it sounds, but Pyun injects style into this low-budget production, featuring plenty of enjoyable scenes, buoyed by Thomerson’s rugged charisma and Jackie E