10 Movies & Shows Like The Toxic Avenger (1984)

Description: This cult classic shares 'The Toxic Avenger's' mix of extreme gore, dark humor, and outsider protagonist. Both films feature grotesque, mutated characters and explore themes of revenge and societal rejection, all wrapped in a low-budget, midnight movie package.

Fact: Director Frank Henenlotter made the film for about $35,

Description: This film shares 'The Toxic Avenger's' mix of horror and comedy, with a similar punk aesthetic and irreverent tone. Both films feature toxic substances causing mayhem (radioactive waste in 'Toxic Avenger', a military chemical in 'Return'), and both have become defining cult classics of 1980s horror.

Fact: The film introduced the concept of zombies craving brains to popular culture. The punk soundtrack features bands like The Cramps and 45 Grave. The iconic zombie known as 'Tarman' was played by actor Allan Trautman inside a suit filled with gelatin.

Description: Like 'The Toxic Avenger', 'The Stuff' is a satirical horror film about toxic substances harming society, blending social commentary with B-movie thrills. Both films critique consumer culture and corporate greed through their grotesque premises.

Fact: The titular 'Stuff' was made from yogurt, flour, and white chocolate. Director Larry Cohen originally wanted the substance to be pink, but changed it to white to resemble cocaine. The film features early appearances by Paul Sorvino and Michael Moriarty.

Description: Similar to 'The Toxic Avenger' in its blend of horror, comedy, and over-the-top gore, 'Class of Nuke 'Em High' is another Troma Entertainment production that revels in its low-budget charm and satirical take on societal issues, particularly environmental contamination and teenage rebellion. Both films feature grotesque mutations and a tongue-in-cheek approach to storytelling.

Fact: Directed by Richard W. Haines and Lloyd Kaufman (uncredited), the film was originally intended to be a serious horror movie but was later reworked into a comedy. The film's budget was so low that many of the special effects were created using household items. It has since become a cult classic and spawned two sequels.

Description: Peter Jackson's debut feature shares 'The Toxic Avenger's' penchant for outrageous gore, slapstick humor, and DIY filmmaking spirit. Both films are low-budget labors of love that gained cult status for their unapologetic embrace of the grotesque and the absurd.

Fact: Jackson shot the film on weekends over four years, using his friends as crew and actors. He played two main roles due to budget constraints. The film's success helped launch Jackson's career, leading to his work on the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy.

Description: While more polished than 'The Toxic Avenger', 'Evil Dead II' shares its perfect balance of horror and comedy, with over-the-top gore and a manic energy. Both films feature hapless protagonists facing supernatural threats with a mix of terror and slapstick humor.

Fact: The film was shot on a budget of $

Description: This post-apocalyptic romp shares 'The Toxic Avenger's' blend of absurd humor, low-budget charm, and grotesque character designs. Both films feature mutated creatures and a tongue-in-cheek approach to their outrageous premises.

Fact: The film stars professional wrestler 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper in the lead role. The frog costumes were reused from another film to save money. It has gained a cult following for its bizarre premise and execution.

Description: The third 'Evil Dead' film continues the series' evolution toward the kind of horror-comedy balance that 'The Toxic Avenger' perfected. Both films feature quotable one-liners, grotesque creatures, and a self-aware, campy tone that has endeared them to cult audiences.

Fact: The film's famous 'boomstick' line was ad-libbed by Bruce Campbell. The miniature work for the skeleton army was done by the Chiodo Brothers, who later worked on 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space'. The film was originally rated NC-17 before being cut to secure an R rating.

Description: James Gunn's directorial debut pays homage to 1980s creature features like 'The Toxic Avenger', blending gross-out horror with sharp humor. Both films feature grotesque body horror and small-town settings overrun by bizarre threats, with a similar balance of horror and comedy.

Fact: The film features early appearances by Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks. The creature effects were achieved through a mix of practical effects and CGI. Gunn has cited 'The Toxic Avenger' and other Troma films as influences on his work.

Description: Like 'The Toxic Avenger', 'Street Trash' combines extreme gore with dark humor, focusing on the marginalized and the grotesque. Both films feature toxic substances causing horrific transformations, and both revel in their exploitation film roots, offering a mix of shock value and social commentary.

Fact: The film's infamous 'melt' scenes were achieved using a combination of latex, food coloring, and microwave effects. It was director J. Michael Muro's only feature film. The movie was shot in a real junkyard, adding to its gritty aesthetic.