Nuts 80s Cult Films You May Have Overlooked

      Casey Chong presents a collection of bizarre cult films from the 1980s that should be added to your watchlist…

      One of the most enjoyable aspects of watching films is the variety of genres, which range from mainstream, audience-friendly offerings to independent projects and those that break genre norms or are outright strange. These movies often disregard logic in favor of something unorthodox, heavily relying on unique visuals or experimental elements that allow filmmakers to explore various themes, no matter how twisted or untraditional they may become.

      This brings us to the 1980s, a time when some directors ventured beyond the safe confines of conventional storytelling. Below is a list of seven odd, lesser-known films from the '80s that are definitely worth watching if you haven't seen them yet…

      **Dead End Drive-In (1986)**

      Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, this overlooked Ozploitation gem channels a Mad Max-inspired dystopian vibe into a blend of prison drama and youthful disillusionment. The film's title sums it up perfectly, as a young couple (Ned Manning’s Crabs and Natalie McCurry’s Carmen) become trapped in a drive-in theater with no escape. To make matters worse, Crabs’ car has lost several tires, and the owner, Thompson (Peter Whitford), shows little concern over the theft.

      The film examines how its youthful characters, especially the unemployed ones, prefer the easy option of isolating themselves in the prison-like drive-in, where they don’t have to worry about housing or food. However, Crabs is determined to escape the heavily guarded venue, despite the surrounding world being rife with crime and violence. The movie culminates in an action-packed finale featuring a chase scene and an impressive car jump through the Star Drive-In neon sign.

      **Dr. Caligari (1989)**

      Stephen Sayadian, known as Rinse Dream, reimagines the black-and-white German Expressionist silent horror classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with his own twist in this quasi-sequel. Combining campy humor with twisted perversion and surreal eroticism, Sayadian offers a narrative that defies coherence, making it futile to seek logical explanations. This avant-garde horror focuses on eccentric visuals, vivid primary colors, and deliberately stilted dialogue.

      The setting of the Caligari Insane Asylum resembles a funhouse stage, with Madeleine Reynal delivering a perfectly deadpan performance as the granddaughter of the original Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss). Think of Dr. Caligari as an acid trip inviting viewers to immerse themselves in its unique experience, complete with unforgettable visuals like a stimulating fleshy wall with thick scars, bright red lips, a drooping tongue, and a live scarecrow used in a fellatio experiment.

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

      Clowns are inherently frightening, but what about clowns that are aliens from outer space? In Killer Klowns from Outer Space, co-writer and director Stephen Chiodo presents a unique take on extraterrestrial invaders. They’re dressed as clowns, complete with exaggerated makeup, costumes, and colorful hair, and even come with a live balloon dog, using popcorn guns to attack humans. Their intention is not to entertain, but rather to capture and cocoon people in pink cotton candy pods. Their spacecraft even resembles an enormous circus tent.

      Chiodo delivers Killer Klowns from Outer Space with a distinctly cheesy ‘80s slasher-horror essence and a touch of campy humor. It’s delightfully over-the-top, featuring alien clowns with impressive party tricks, such as using shadow puppetry on walls and swallowing humans whole.

      **Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988)**

      Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer’s post-apocalyptic film embraces its absurd title premise. The "Hell" refers to Roddy Piper’s character, Sam Hell, who is one of the few remaining fertile men on Earth. He becomes a government asset to the extent that he is forced to wear a chastity belt-like codpiece that has an electroshock feature to keep him in line under the supervision of the government nurse Spangle (Sandahl Bergman). His mission? To travel to Frogtown, rescue fertile women held captive by the mutant frog people, and impregnate them.

      This film is outrageously silly throughout, showcasing legendary wrestler-turned-actor Roddy Piper as a reluctant hero who proves to be a competent deadpan comedian. The action doesn’t really unfold until after the halfway mark, and it resulted in two sequels: Return to Frogtown and Max Hell Frog Warrior.

      **Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)**

      After their collaboration on The Fly, Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum reunited in Earth Girls Are Easy, a sci-fi film that combines musical elements with romantic comedy. It’s pure ‘80s cheese embracing the ludicrousness of a story