5 Terrible Movies That Are So Bad They’re A Must-Watch

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There are a few kinds of truly terrible movies. The worst are just incredibly boring and easily forgotten – think films by Uwe Boll, *Madame Web*, or *Jaws: The Revenge*. Though, *Jaws: The Revenge* is almost enjoyable in its badness, which brings us to another category: “so bad it’s good.” This category itself has two parts. Some movies are intentionally ridiculous, and sometimes that works, but often it doesn’t. Then there are films that genuinely *try* to be good, but fail spectacularly. This is where filmmakers like Ed Wood come in. His *Plan 9 from Outer Space* is completely absurd, but you can tell he was sincerely trying to create a scary movie. That honest effort is what makes many of these “so bad it’s good” films so memorable and important, even years later.

Here are five movies that aren’t high art, but are so entertainingly bad, they’re actually really fun to watch. They’re perfect for a good time in front of the TV.

5) Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

The movie *Santa Claus Conquers the Martians* begins with Martian parents worried their children are obsessed with Earth TV, particularly an interview with Santa Claus. They consult a wise advisor who suggests the kids are acting out due to the strict rules of Martian society. As a solution, the parents decide to kidnap Santa Claus, hoping to bring some childhood joy and wonder back into their children’s lives.

This kids’ movie has a wild plot: Santa Claus and two children are kidnapped by Martians, and one of the Martians keeps trying to kill Santa! The Martians themselves look pretty silly – they’re just people in cheap costumes and green paint, reminiscent of the aliens from old Godzilla films. It’s a bizarre movie, but if you enjoy quirky, late-night viewings, it’s a must-watch during the Christmas season.

Stream Santa Claus Conquers the Martians for free with ads on Tubi

4) Mac and Me

After Steven Spielberg’s *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* became a massive hit for an entire year, it was only a matter of time before someone tried to copy its success. That’s where *Mac and Me* comes in – it’s a blatant copycat, but what really stands out is its shameless advertising. The movie even features a full dance sequence *inside* a McDonald’s, with Ronald McDonald himself joining in!

This movie is full of strange choices, which explains why Paul Rudd seems to love it so much. The alien designs are genuinely creepy, there’s a bizarre scene where a dying alien family is brought back to life with Coca-Cola, and the main character, who is in a wheelchair, is unexpectedly killed in the third act (though thankfully, alien powers bring him back!). It’s a really unusual and unpredictable film.

Stream Mac and Me for free with ads on Tubi.

3) Birdemic: Shock and Terror

James Nguyen, the creator of *Birdemic: Shock and Terror*, originally intended it to be a genuine horror film. However, the movie became famous for being hilariously bad, which led Nguyen to lean into that reputation with two sequels, similar to *Sharknado*. Unfortunately, those sequels didn’t live up to the original’s accidental charm.

It’s remarkable that Hitchcock’s *The Birds*, made 45 years earlier, still has far more convincing bird effects than *Birdemic*. Those shaky, unrealistic birds are just one part of what makes this movie so bad – it simply lacks everything you’d expect from a good film. Like *The Room*, *Birdemic* feels like a project made by someone with limited funds and filmmaking experience. In fact, the production didn’t even have proper filming permits, but somehow, it got made anyway.

Stream Birdemic: Shock and Terror for free with ads on Tubi.

2) Batman & Robin

You know, it’s funny how opinions change. For a long time, *Batman & Robin* was considered a disaster, but after seeing the darker, grittier takes we got with Christopher Nolan’s trilogy and, more recently, *The Batman*, I’ve actually found myself enjoying Joel Schumacher’s final Batman film. It’s so over-the-top and silly that, in a way, it’s kind of refreshing now. It doesn’t take itself seriously, and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Honestly, after *Batman & Robin*, I was pretty much done with the series for a while. *Batman Forever* had already felt like a big shift away from the darker tone of *Batman Returns*, but it still worked because it balanced the flashy action with some of that serious edge. *Batman & Robin*, though? It was just…too much. The jokes weren’t funny, Arnold Schwarzenegger was over the top, and George Clooney looked completely uninterested. There are a couple of visually interesting moments – I always thought the shot of Batman standing over Mr. Freeze was cool – but it’s mostly remembered for things like Bane growling “Monkey work” and Poison Ivy inexplicably *not* kissing Robin again after he pulled off his fake lips. She could have easily poisoned him with another kiss, but no! It just felt silly.

Stream Batman & Robin on HBO Max.

1) Hobgoblins

Similar to how *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* inspired *Mac and Me*, and *Gremlins* led to *Hobgoblins*, the latter is arguably the most entertainingly bad copycat of Joe Dante’s original film. Picture a version of *Gremlins* where the mischievous creatures have no facial expressions – they’re simply puppets that mostly stay still, with the occasional shake or slight turn of the head.

The movie *Hobgoblins* openly acknowledges its connection to *Gremlins*, especially with its use of bright light – a direct contrast, as the Gremlins are famously harmed by it. The film also features a bizarre showdown with rakes and what might be the most awkward and unexpected dance scene ever put on film in the 1980s.

Stream Hobgoblins for free with ads on Tubi.

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2025-10-16 00:48