Top 10 Recent B Movies That Turned Out to Be AWESOME
#10: “Krazy House” (2024)
2024’s “Krazy House” is a no-holds-barred 90-minute Dutch feature, mashing up genres for an experience unlike anything else. Taking place inside of a 90s sitcom, also called “Krazy House”, the film follows the Christians, a wholesome and saintly religious American family. When a Russian brood infiltrates their home, it’s up to dad, Bernie, to save the day. Starring Nick Frost and Alicia Silverstone, “Krazy House” is one part action comedy and another part horror. Violent and brash, it’s unrelenting, kicking things into high gear and never slowing down until the credits roll.
#9: “Glorious” (2022)
Rebekah McKendry’s “Glorious” is everything you want in a B-movie. It’s absurd, weird, and kinda gross. It follows Wes, a man reeling from a breakup, who happens upon a rest stop. In the stalls, he encounters Ghatanothoa, a demigod, who speaks to Wes through a very specific type of… hole. After tasking Wes with helping them to transition to a higher place to save humanity, things go from strange to straight-up bizarre! Featuring Ryan Kwanten and J. K. Simmons as the voice of Ghatanothoa, “Glorious” embodies Lovecraftian-esque celestial horror that will twist your mind and stomach.
#8: “Frankie Freako” (2024)
Direct from the North, “Frankie Freako” is a Canadian horror that’s played for both laughs and screams. Centered in the 1980s, the film follows straightlaced Conor, who, in an effort to cut loose, calls up a weird little party rocking extraterritorial, named Frankie Freako. Unbeknownst to Conor, he gets more than what he bargained for and sets off on a wild and strange cosmic journey to Freak World. A homage to '80s puppet flicks like “Gremlins” and “Critters,” “Freako” is a self-aware low-budget trip that’s here to show you a good time.
#7: “Crabs!” (2021)
From giant great white sharks to killer orcas, creatures of the deep have been terrorizing our silver screen for decades. In 2021, a new oceanic dweller took to the spotlight in the feature film, “Crabs!” Taking place on prom night, a quiet coastal town in California is turned upside down after homicidal crustaceans begin to attack innocent residents. Together, a group of teens and law enforcement officials join forces to stop the Nuclear-infected decapods from their deadly spree. Totally fun and unapologetically silly, “Crabs!” is a pinch above the rest!
#6: “Slay” (2024)
Off the heels of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” 2024’s “Slay” reunites former contestants, Trinity the Tuck, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, and “Drag Race UK’s” Cara Melle. The fab foursome portrays fictional drag queens who are mistakenly booked for a gig at a small-town biker bar with a rather conservative clientele. Things go from bad to worse when vampires descend upon the bar, and it is up to the queens to fight back. An obvious must-watch for any “Drag Race” fans, “Slay” is also a fiercely fun time for everyone!
#5: “Willy’s Wonderland” (2021)
Before the video game-to-screen adaptation of “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” there was “Willy’s Wonderland.” Released in 2021, the flick stars Nicolas Cage as a wanderer who takes a job as an overnight janitor at a rundown family entertainment restaurant. However, he learns that the place is no Chuck E. Cheese. Not long into his shift, he comes face-to-face with eight murderous animatronics and must not only survive but defeat them all. A wild and crazy ride, “Willy’s Wonderland" is full of stunts, scares, screams, and yes, lots of laughs!
#4: “Slaxx” (2020)
Get ready to never look at denim the same way again! “Slaxx” is a Canadian horror-comedy centered around Libby, a young cashier, working at a retailer who has just crafted a revolutionary pair of jeans that will fit anyone. The only problem is that the jeans are possessed and ready to zip up anyone who dares to wear them! Extremely gory and gruesome, it is an entertaining watch, as well as a critique of capitalism and greed. Leaving you to question the origins of our garments, “Slaxx” will scare the pants off of moviegoers!
#3: “Werewolves Within” (2021)
Taking place during a Vermont snowstorm, “Werewolves Within” is a who-done-it meets creature feature. One part comedy, one part horror, it sees a group of small-town residents trying to suss out who among them is a werewolf. Rich in atmosphere, the cold winter setting isn’t the only thing that will send a chill down your spine. Made with a modest budget of $6.5 million, it delivers on its special effects. Featuring an excellent twist and strong ensemble, including Sam Richardson, “Within” will have you both screaming and howling… but hopefully not at the moon.
#2: “Late Night with the Devil” (2023)
One of the most-talked-about horror films of 2023, “Late Night with the Devil” is a clever and unique twist on demon horror. A mix of found footage and fictionalized documentary, it centers on a late-night 70s talk show that goes to extremes for its special Halloween episode. Surprisingly, “Late Night” uses only $150,000 for its visual effects, which is astonishing considering how realistic they look. In addition, everything from the set to the costumes to the cinematography is a retro feast for the eyes. Unsettling and disturbing, the thrills are endless, transporting viewers through a nightmarish descent into madness.
#1: “Hundreds of Beavers” (2022)
A true feat, “Hundreds of Beavers” is one of indie filmmaking’s biggest success stories of the 2020s. Made for only $150,000, the film follows an applejack dealer, Jean Kayak, who is at odds with… well, hundreds of beavers. Following the hero’s journey, he must prove his worth by battling it out with the critters and winning the affection of the Fur Trapper’s daughter. An entirely black and white adventure through the 19th-century Midwest, it was shot in just twelve weeks and went on to appear at film festivals around the world. A labour of love, with a tight budget and DIY filmmaking tactics, it’s hard not to be charmed by this quirky slapstick romp.
Which one of these B-movies are you adding to your watchlist? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
