10 Movies & Shows Like The Stuff (1985)

Description: Alien pods replace humans with emotionless duplicates, creating a pervasive sense of paranoia and dread. The film explores themes of conformity and loss of identity through body horror.

Fact: The movie's ending was reshot multiple times to test different levels of bleakness. It's often interpreted as a commentary on McCarthy-era paranoia.

Description: An alien lifeform assimilates and imitates living organisms, leading to paranoia and grotesque body horror in an isolated Antarctic research station. The film excels in practical effects and a claustrophobic atmosphere.

Fact: The movie was initially a box office failure but is now considered a classic. The creature effects were so realistic that they reportedly made some crew members vomit.

Description: A scientist's experiment goes horribly wrong, causing him to slowly transform into a grotesque human-fly hybrid. The film is a masterclass in body horror and tragic transformation.

Fact: The makeup effects took up to five hours to apply each day. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Makeup.

Description: Alien brain parasites reanimate the dead and turn them into zombie-like killers. The film mixes horror, sci-fi, and 1950s B-movie tropes with a self-aware sense of humor.

Fact: The movie pays homage to classic horror and sci-fi films, with character names referencing famous directors like Romero and Cronenberg. It was a box office failure but became a cult favorite.

Description: A mysterious, gooey substance from outer space invades a small town, consuming everything in its path. The film blends horror, sci-fi, and dark humor, featuring grotesque body horror and a relentless, ever-growing threat.

Fact: The special effects were created by Tony Gardner, who later worked on films like 'Army of Darkness.' The movie was a remake of the 1958 original but took a much gorier approach.

Description: A drifter discovers that aliens are secretly controlling humanity through subliminal messages. The film mixes sci-fi, horror, and social commentary with a gritty, satirical edge.

Fact: The famous alley fight scene took three weeks to shoot. The movie's iconic line, 'I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass,' was ad-libbed by Roddy Piper.

Description: Giant, worm-like creatures terrorize a small desert town, forcing the residents to band together to survive. The film balances horror, comedy, and inventive creature design.

Fact: The creatures were nicknamed 'Graboids' by the crew. The movie was originally conceived as a low-budget horror film but evolved into a more action-comedy hybrid.

Description: Alien parasites take over a high school, turning teachers and students into emotionless drones. The film blends teen drama with body horror and sci-fi thrills.

Fact: The screenplay was written by Kevin Williamson, who also penned 'Scream.' The movie features early performances from several future stars, including Elijah Wood and Josh Hartnett.

Description: A small town is overrun by parasitic alien slugs that transform their hosts into grotesque, flesh-hungry monsters. The film combines body horror, dark comedy, and a satirical take on small-town life.

Fact: Director James Gunn cited classic B-movies and creature features as major influences. The film was a box office flop but later gained a cult following.

Description: A cheap alcoholic beverage causes its drinkers to melt into colorful, gooey puddles. The film revels in over-the-top gore, dark humor, and a grimy, urban setting.

Fact: The melting effects were achieved using a combination of gelatin, food coloring, and stop-motion animation. The movie was shot on a shoestring budget in Brooklyn.