As any movie lover knows, films have the power to transport us to different worlds and perspectives, offering eccentric experiences that leave us feeling disorientated. From the weird and wonderful to the downright peculiar, here are 23 of the strangest movies we’ve ever seen.
Donnie Darko
Offering a unique lens into the strange world of a troubled teenager, Donnie Darko has a peculiar premise. In this film, we follow a troubled teenager haunted by a man in a rabbit suit who predicts the world’s end. This blend of psychological horror with time travel makes Donnie Darko both confusing and fascinating. The unsettling atmosphere and thought-provoking storyline ensure that it remains a cult classic.
Eraserhead
David Lynch’s debut feature is an unsettling journey into the surreal. Here, we follow a protagonist who navigates a nightmarish industrial landscape, dealing with bizarre occurrences and grotesque creatures. Its haunting black-and-white visuals and eerie sound design make it a staple of avant-garde cinema.
The Holy Mountain
Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain is a psychedelic odyssey filled with symbolic imagery and esoteric themes. During this strange viewing experience, we follow a thief and an alchemist embarking on a quest for enlightenment, complete with a strange narrative structure.
Brazil
In his desire to create a dystopian satire, Terry Gilliam offered us Brazil, an eccentric film that combines dark humor with a nightmarish vision of bureaucracy. With twists and turns along the way, Brazil’s plot follows a low-level government employee who becomes entangled in a web of mistaken identity and rebellion.
Naked Lunch
Based on William S. Burroughs’ novel, Naked Lunch is a surreal journey into the mind of a writer battling addiction. Directed by David Cronenberg, this dizzying movie blurs the line between reality and hallucination, featuring typewriters that transform into insects and other strange occurrences.
The Lobster
In Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, single people are sent to a hotel where they must find a romantic partner within 45 days or be turned into animals. If this eccentric premise wasn’t enough, the film features deadpan humor and strange visuals to make it stand out in the thriller genre.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man
This Japanese cyberpunk film is a visceral and chaotic exploration of body horror. Following one man’s transformation into a metal creature after a car accident, the film’s frenetic pace and intense visuals make it an unforgettable experience.
Swiss Army Man
Swiss Army Man is a dark comedy about a man stranded on a deserted island who befriends a flatulent corpse—a film premise you probably thought you’d never encounter. With absurd humor and heartfelt moments, Swiss Army Man creates a unique blend that defies conventional storytelling.
A Field in England
Set during the English Civil War, this film follows a group of deserters who are captured by an alchemist and forced to search for buried treasure. What makes it so strange isn’t its premise but the hallucinogenic visuals and surrealist atmosphere.
Beyond the Black Rainbow
This Canadian sci-fi horror film is set in a mysterious research facility where a young woman with psychic abilities is held captive. While not widely known, this film’s retro-futuristic design and slow-burn narrative create an experience worthy of a cult following.
Synecdoche, New York
Directed by the iconic Charlie Kaufman, this film follows a theater director who creates a life-size replica of New York City inside a warehouse for a play. During this quirky viewing experience, we follow Kaufman’s usual themes of identity, mortality, and the creative process, which makes it a complex and deeply strange work.
El Topo
Another film by Alejandro Jodorowsky, El Topo, is a surreal Western about a gunslinger’s quest for enlightenment. It blends mysticism, violence, and symbolism to become a cult classic.
The Forbidden Room
Expertly directed by Guy Maddin, The Forbidden Room offers a visually stunning and surreal journey through a series of interconnected stories. Such dreamlike sequences and unconventional narrative structure make it a feast for the senses.
Enter the Void
This film by Gaspar Noé follows a drug dealer in Tokyo who experiences an out-of-body journey after being shot. The film’s first-person perspective and psychedelic visuals create an immersive and disorienting experience.
House
This Japanese horror film follows a group of schoolgirls who visit a haunted house. Its blend of surreal imagery, slapstick comedy, and horror elements makes it a unique and memorable watch.
Antichrist
Directed by Lars von Trier, this psychological horror film follows a grieving couple who retreat to a cabin in the woods only to encounter supernatural forces. Antichrist is a challenging but compelling watch with graphic imagery and disturbing themes.
Holy Motors
This French film follows a man who takes on various roles daily. The film’s episodic structure and surreal scenarios create a fascinating exploration of identity and performance.
Mandy
Throughout Mandy, we follow a man seeking revenge against a cult that destroyed his life, providing striking visuals and an intense narrative to boot.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
This sci-fi adventure follows a physicist/rock star/brain surgeon who battles alien invaders. The film’s eclectic mix of genres and offbeat humor make it a cult classic.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a story for the ages, comprising a musical horror-comedy that follows a couple who stumble upon a bizarre mansion filled with eccentric characters. Combining a campy aesthetic and memorable songs has made it a beloved cult film.
Cat People
This 1982 supernatural horror film follows a woman who turns into a panther when sexually aroused, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements to create a unique and eerie atmosphere.
Zardoz
This sci-fi film features a giant floating head that tells a group of primitive humans to kill each other. If this premise doesn’t justify how Zardoz made it onto this list, we’re unsure what will.
The Wicker Man
Another ironic yet strange horror film, the Wicker Man, centers on a police officer investigating the disappearance of a girl on a remote island, only to uncover a pagan cult. Considering the notoriously shocking ending and unsettling atmosphere, it’s no wonder this film remains a classic of strange cinema.
