If you loved the bizarre and grotesque charm of Basket Case 2 (1990), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similarly offbeat movies and shows that deliver the same mix of horror, dark humor, and cult appeal. Whether you're a fan of twisted creature features or underground oddities, these picks will satisfy your craving for the weird and wonderful.

Rabid (1977)
Description: A gruesome body horror film featuring an experimental medical procedure gone wrong, leading to grotesque transformations and a viral outbreak.
Fact: The film's lead actress Marilyn Chambers was a former porn star, which caused controversy during release. The phallic-looking armpit stinger was inspired by a wasp's ovipositor.


The Brood (1979)
Description: A psychological horror film exploring bodily transformation and monstrous offspring, featuring disturbing practical effects and themes of repressed trauma.
Fact: The dwarf actors playing the brood children had to wear uncomfortable foam latex masks for hours. The film's climax features one of the most shocking birth scenes in horror history.


Scanners (1981)
Description: A cerebral yet visceral horror film featuring explosive body horror set pieces and themes of psychic powers gone horrifically wrong.
Fact: The iconic head explosion was achieved by filling a prosthetic head with dog food and fake blood, then shooting it with a shotgun off-camera.


Videodrome (1983)
Description: A surreal body horror film blending technology with organic transformation, featuring grotesque visual effects and a disorienting, hallucinatory tone.
Fact: The 'living video cassette' effect was created by coating actor Rick Baker in KY jelly and pressing him into a mold. The film's 'new flesh' concept was inspired by Marshall McLuhan's media theories.


The Stuff (1985)
Description: A satirical body horror film with a grotesque premise, blending consumerism critique with visceral, gooey special effects and dark humor.
Fact: The titular 'Stuff' was made from a mixture of yogurt, cottage cheese, and food coloring. The film was marketed with fake commercials pretending to sell the deadly dessert.


The Toxic Avenger (1984)
Description: A low-budget horror-comedy with grotesque body horror elements and a darkly humorous tone, featuring an outcast protagonist who transforms into a monstrous hero.
Fact: Originally intended as a serious horror film, it became a cult classic due to its over-the-top violence and absurd humor. The film spawned a franchise, including sequels, a musical, and an animated series.


The Fly (1986)
Description: A tragic body horror masterpiece featuring gradual, grotesque physical transformation, blending genuine emotion with shocking practical effects.
Fact: The famous 'Brundlefly' makeup took 5 hours to apply each day. The vomit scene used a mixture of eggs, milk, and raspberry jam to create its distinctive look.


Bad Taste (1987)
Description: A splatter-filled, low-budget horror-comedy with absurd violence, amateurish charm, and a chaotic, over-the-top approach to storytelling.
Fact: Peter Jackson's debut feature, filmed over four years on weekends with friends. The film's gore was achieved using homemade effects, including a vomit scene made from blended sardines and warm milk.


Hellraiser (1987)
Description: A visceral horror film exploring bodily transformation and extreme pain/pleasure duality, featuring grotesque creatures and a nightmarish atmosphere.
Fact: Pinhead was originally a minor character but became the franchise's icon due to his striking appearance. The Cenobites' leather costumes were real S&M gear purchased from London shops.


Street Trash (1987)
Description: A grimy, exploitation-style horror film with extreme gore, dark comedy, and a focus on societal outcasts, blending shocking visuals with a nihilistic tone.
Fact: The film's infamous 'meltdown' scenes were created using a mix of melted plastic and food coloring. It was shot on a shoestring budget but gained notoriety for its outrageous practical effects.
