Best B Movie
The Psychotronic zine documents a rich history of low-budget horror and genre films. Created by Michael Weldon, it provides detailed analysis and context for B-movies and exploitation cinema from the 1980s and earlier. It’s particularly valuable for film enthusiasts, researchers, and anyone interest...
Why this score?
Definitive cult-film zine companion to Psychotronic film scholarship; strong reputation among genre historians and collectors.
Scoring methodology
Them! is a 1954 science fiction horror film concerning giant ants that invade Los Angeles. Starring James Whitmore and other actors, the movie was directed by Gordon Douglas and based on a story by George Worthing Yates. It involved a screenplay developed by Ted Sherdeman with adaptation work from R...
It Came from Outer Space is a 1953 science fiction horror film utilizing the first full-length 3D process. Directed by Jack Arnold and starring Richard Carlson and Barbara Rush, the movie’s script originated from Ray Bradbury's “The Meteor” treatment. The production included supporting actors Charle...
It Came from Beneath the Sea is a 1955 science fiction horror film utilizing stop-motion animation created by Ray Harryhausen. Produced by Sam Katzman and Charles Schneer, the movie directed by Robert Gordon features Kenneth Tobey, Faith Domergue, and Donald Curtis. The screenplay was written by Geo...
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman is a 1958 science fiction horror film directed by Nathan H. Juran. The movie stars Allison Hayes and features a plot involving a giant woman attacking New York City. It was produced by Bernard Woolner and distributed by Allied Artists as a double feature in May 1958.
Small-press cult and genre film fanzine covering exploitation, B-movies, and underground cinema, notable for its focus on obscure and difficult-to-find titles.
Why this score?
Obscure cult-film fanzine with specialist interest; limited documentation and smaller influence keep consensus modest.
Scoring methodology
Big Ass Spider! is a 2013 American comedic monster film directed by Mike Mendez. Its story centers on a rapidly growing spider that attacks Los Angeles, using the giant-spider premise as the basis for a deliberately comic threat. The film belongs to the independent B-movie and kaiju tradition, with...
Why this score?
Better-than-average creature comedy with brisk humor and cult appeal, though modest genre ambition keeps consensus mid-good.
Scoring methodology
The Giant Behemoth is a 1959 British-American monster film directed by Eugène Lourié. Its story follows a giant radioactive creature that emerges from the sea and threatens London, prompting scientists and government authorities to investigate its origin and stop its advance. The film belongs to the...
Why this score?
Eugene Lourie creature feature has respectable stop-motion moments and somber nuclear themes, though uneven and dated.
Scoring methodology
The Black Scorpion is a 1957 American monster film directed by Edward Ludwig. Its story follows giant prehistoric scorpions awakened by volcanic eruptions in Mexico and threatening nearby communities. The film combines live-action disaster and adventure sequences with stop-motion animation created b...
Why this score?
Harryhausen-assisted scorpion effects boost its reputation, though routine script and characters keep it mid-level.
Scoring methodology
The Amazing Colossal Man is a 1957 American science fiction film written and directed by Bert I. Gordon. Glenn Manning, a U.S. Army colonel, is exposed to radiation from a plutonium explosion and begins growing to enormous size. The film treats the transformation as both a monster premise and a trag...
Why this score?
Bert I. Gordon giant-man film has cult importance and pathos, but dated effects and melodrama earn mixed ratings.
Scoring methodology
The Deadly Mantis is a 1957 American science-fiction film from Universal-International about a giant prehistoric praying mantis released when Arctic ice melts. The creature attacks people and infrastructure as it moves south, while military personnel and scientists attempt to identify and stop it. T...
Why this score?
Standard 1950s giant-insect picture with competent Universal polish, but talky pacing and limited thrills.
Scoring methodology
Earth vs. the Spider is a 1958 American black-and-white science-fiction horror film produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon. It follows a giant spider discovered in a cave that attacks a nearby community, prompting teenagers and adults to seek a way to stop the creature. The original on-screen title...
Why this score?
Bert I. Gordon spider feature has drive-in charm, but weak effects and generic plotting draw poor consensus.
Scoring methodology
Night Eyes II is an American erotic thriller sequel to Night Eyes, directed by Rodney McDonald and starring Andrew Stevens, Shannon Tweed, and Tim Russ. The story follows security expert Will Griffith, who is hired to protect the Los Angeles home of South American diplomat Héctor Mejenes after attem...
Why this score?
Routine direct-to-video production with weak critical standing, offset slightly by competent genre mechanics and durable late-night-cable familiarity.
Scoring methodology
Sharktopus is a 2010 American science fiction horror television film made for the Syfy channel, produced by Roger Corman and directed by Declan O'Brien. Its central creature, designated S-11, is an intelligent genetic hybrid combining a shark with octopus-like tentacles and was developed as a propos...
Why this score?
Roger Corman Syfy camp has meme value and brisk absurdity, but consensus still rates it low-budget disposable fare.
Scoring methodology
The Cyclops is a 1957 American science-fiction horror film written, produced, and directed by Bert Gordon. Gloria Talbott plays Susan Winter, who hires pilot Lee Brand and guide Russ Bradford to search a remote Mexican valley for her missing fiance; the expedition encounters giant animals and a one-...
Why this score?
Cheap Bert I. Gordon mutation film with camp value, but weak script and effects keep ratings low.
Scoring methodology
Night Eyes 3, also known as Night Eyes Three, is a 1993 American erotic thriller directed by Andrew Stevens and the third film in the Night Eyes series. Stevens plays security expert Will Griffith, who is hired to protect television actress Zoe Clairmont, played by Shannon Tweed, after she is stalke...
Why this score?
Low-rated franchise installment criticized for formulaic plotting, thin characterization, and production limitations, with little reputation beyond genre completists.
Scoring methodology
Mega Python vs. Gatoroid is a 2011 American science-fiction monster film produced by The Asylum and directed by Mary Lambert for Syfy. Set in the Florida Everglades, it follows a conflict between giant pythons and oversized alligators after attempts to control one threat create another. Debbie Gibso...
Why this score?
Syfy novelty casting and camp fights provide ironic appeal, but reviews and ratings remain poor.
Scoring methodology
The Giant Claw is a 1957 American science-fiction monster film directed by Fred F. Sears and produced by Sam Katzman. Its central creature is a gigantic bird-like monster from an antimatter universe that appears over Earth and attacks aircraft and cities. The film belongs to the 1950s cycle of low-b...
Why this score?
Infamous bird puppet makes it a bad-movie staple, with low ratings despite high camp notoriety.
Scoring methodology
Body of Influence is a 1993 American erotic thriller directed by Gregory Dark, featuring Shannon Tweed as a mysterious patient of a manipulative psychiatrist.
Why this score?
Obscure low-budget erotic thriller with weak ratings, formulaic psychology, and limited critical reputation, remembered mainly by Shannon Tweed genre enthusiasts.
Scoring methodology
Return to Two Moon Junction is a 1994 American romantic drama directed by Farhad Mann and written by Dyanne Asimow. It is a sequel to the 1988 film Two Moon Junction, but it follows Savannah Delongpre, played by Melinda Clarke, rather than the original film's lead character. The story takes her from...
Why this score?
Poorly rated direct-to-video sequel, generally regarded as a shallow, less compelling repetition of the original's erotic melodrama.
Scoring methodology
Dinocroc vs. Supergator is a 2010 American science-fiction horror television film directed by Jim Wynorski and released through Syfy. Its story centers on two giant engineered reptiles, Dinocroc and Supergator, whose escape leads several characters to hunt them. Roger Corman served as executive prod...
Why this score?
Corman crossover offers knowingly silly monster action, but production limits and thin characters keep reputation weak.
Scoring methodology
Beginning of the End is a 1957 American science-fiction film produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon. Agricultural scientist Ed Wainwright uses radiation to grow giant vegetables, which are eaten by locusts that become enormous and move toward Chicago. Peter Graves plays Wainwright, while Peggie Cas...
Why this score?
Frequently mocked giant-insect film, remembered for poor effects and stiff plotting despite 1950s genre curiosity value.
Scoring methodology
Dinoshark is a 2010 American science-fiction horror television film made for Syfy and directed by Kevin O'Neill, with Roger Corman among its producers. The story begins when a fragment of Arctic ice releases a prehistoric marine creature that reaches the waters near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where it...
Why this score?
Routine Syfy creature feature, modest camp appeal, but weak effects, predictable plotting, and poor ratings.
Scoring methodology
Dinocroc is a 2004 science-fiction horror television film produced by Roger Corman for the Sci-Fi Channel. Directed by Kevin O'Neill, it follows a genetically engineered prehistoric crocodilian that escapes and becomes a threat to people in its surroundings. Costas Mandylor, Bruce Weitz, Charles Nap...
Why this score?
Routine Sci Fi Channel monster movie, low ratings, cheap CGI, and formulaic genetic-experiment plotting.
Scoring methodology
Behemoth is a 2011 Syfy television science-fiction horror film. Set around the mountain town of Ascension, it follows an ancient creature beneath Mount Lincoln whose awakening produces earthquakes, dangerous gases, and wider destruction. The film belongs to the made-for-television giant-monster cycl...
Attack of the Giant Leeches is a 1959 American independent black-and-white science-fiction horror film directed by Bernard Kowalski and produced by Gene Corman. Set in the Florida Everglades, it follows a game warden and other local investigators as disappearances and deaths are linked to gigantic l...
Meltdown: Days of Destruction is a 2006 American television disaster film directed by John Lafia. Its story begins when an asteroid passes close to Earth and changes the planet's orbit, bringing it nearer to the Sun and causing temperatures to rise rapidly. Police officer Tom Bracket, played by Casp...
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009) is a low-budget American monster film produced by The Asylum that became a viral internet sensation for its clip of a megalodon leaping to destroy a commercial airplane.
Why this score?
Viral bad-movie fame and absurd set pieces, but very poor acting, effects, and ratings define consensus.
Scoring methodology
The Giant Gila Monster is a 1959 American black-and-white monster film directed by Ray Kellogg and produced by Ken Curtis. Set in a rural Texas community, it follows mechanic and hot-rod racer Chase Winstead as a giant Gila monster attacks motorists, train passengers, and local residents. The film w...
Monster from Green Hell is a 1957 American science-fiction film directed by Kenneth G. Crane, written by Louis Vittes and Endre Bohen, and produced by Al Zimbalist. Its story follows scientists investigating giant wasps after a rocket carrying insects goes off course and the insects are exposed to c...
Why this score?
Low-budget giant-wasp film suffers from excessive stock footage, weak effects, and poor reputation.
Scoring methodology
