Have you ever sat through a movie and spent the next hour wondering what you’ve just watched? We’ve all been there; many of these movies have been dubbed the weirdest. It isn’t that we don’t love them; they have some very alternative and questionable premises. Let’s return to some of these wonderfully weird cinematic pieces.
Being John Malkovich
Directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, this film follows a puppeteer who discovers a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The weird premise, existential themes, and surreal narrative make it a truly unique viewing experience where rom-com Princess Cameron Diaz seems wildly out of place.
The Wicker Man
As the angst-ridden cop, Neil Howie, investigates the disappearance of a young Pagan girl, it turns out that he was the target all along. What we see next is plain chilling. Think animal and human sacrifice, and you’re part way there. The film stays with you long after the viewing itself.
Fantastic Planet
This animated sci-fi film is set on a planet where giant blue aliens keep humans as pets. It’s trippy, to say the least, but the film’s theme speaks of freedom from discrimination, which gives it some credibility. The jazz soundtrack is phenomenal, so it’s worth watching for that alone. The movie itself is captivating but very strange.
Audition
The Japanese are famous for their sinister, mind-bending movies, and the film Audition is one of the best in the weird. A young wannabe actress falls for an older man who sets up a phony audition, and she spends the remainder of the movie taunting and torturing him in bizarre ways. If there’s any fear of witnessing a degraded woman, think again. This femme-fatale gives far better than she gets.
Freaked
When a sleazy corporate executive gets turned into a grotesque mutant by a mad scientist, hilarity ensues. With its zany characters, outrageous special effects, and off-the-wall humor, Freaked is mind-numbingly odd from start to finish. The movie flopped on a commercial level, but it retained a solid cult fan base that revered its brilliance.
Repo! The Genetic Opera
Part rock opera, part dystopian horror; this cult classic tells the story of a future where a sinister corporation finances organ transplants. Throw in a few catchy musical numbers and a dash of gore, and you’ve got a recipe for one unforgettable, bizarre movie experience.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
This romantic sci-fi drama, directed by Michel Gondry and starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, explores the concept of erasing memories of failed relationships. The storytelling is disjointed, with numerous dreamlike sequences and complex emotions, making it both weird and beautiful.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Clowns are terrifying without needing to be associated with space; we have Pennywise to thank for that. Clowns in outer space? Killer cotton candy cocoons? The premise is too weird for the weirdest movie lovers, though it remains a sturdy cult classic with its delightful blend of horror, comedy, and, well, killer clowns from outer space.
Rubber
If you’ve ever had the urge to watch a movie about a homicidal car tire with psychokinetic powers that goes on a killing spree in the desert, look no further. Labeling the film as experimental gives it an essence of credence but still leaves you feeling utterly baffled.
Basket Case
They call it an old-school horror classic about a young man who carries his formerly conjoined, deformed, murderous twin brother in a basket. It’s every bit as strange as it sounds and extremely disturbing. To add insult to injury, the special effects are low budget, and it remains a love-or-hate but definitely weird movie.
Swiss Army Man
Daniel Radcliffe plays a flatulent corpse who befriends a stranded man in this surreal and oddly heartwarming tale. It’s a bit like Castaway but without any good elements, and seeing Harry Potter’s naked rump is weird. The movie was so weird that it was a royal flop.
Freaks
A pre-censorship horror film featuring real circus performers as protagonists in a display of weirdness. The movie faced bans for its grotesque depictions but was also championed for highlighting themes of acceptance and revenge in an incredibly controversial way.
Hausu
This Japanese horror-comedy about a group of schoolgirls facing off against a haunted house is filled with surreal, psychedelic imagery on par with a horror version of Alice in Wonderland. You’ll get the gist if you can visualize coloring book-style imagery and watermelons that turn into people’s heads.
Napoleon Dynamite
Despite its straightforward premise about a college nerd who helps his friend win the class presidency, the execution isn’t what you’d expect. This quirky comedy showcased the eccentricities of small-town life but presented weirdness in the form of slapstick eccentricity that was pretty extreme. It was a box office hit for a low-budget movie, so it hit the sweet spot.
Gummo
The movie’s premise resembles that of The Hills Have Eyes until the movie unfolds. A group of teenagers visit a tornado-ravaged town with characters ranging from glue-sniffing teenagers to cat-killing kids. A few scenes are pretty controversial, with kids holding guns and suggestions of domestic abuse, making the film visually disturbing.
Pink Flamingos
Not for the faint-hearted, this John Waters film featured grotesque characters competing for the title of the filthiest person alive. The movie is disgusting, absurd, and weirdly watchable, and even Rotten Tomatoes rated it an unlikely classic.
The Holy Mountain
This visually stunning and utterly bizarre journey through spiritual enlightenment, filled with symbolism and surrealism, is undeniably captivating. However, it is also a surreal mess that can be interpreted positively or negatively, depending on your patience levels.
Repo Man
Directed by Alex Cox, Repo Man is a punk rock cult classic about a young punk rocker who becomes a repo man for a shady car repossession agency. The film’s surreal humor, bizarre characters, and themes of consumerism and alienation make it a standout unconventional gem, but you might have questions at the end.
