Looking to watch something a little offbeat? Here are some sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movies to add to your late-night streaming queue.
Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)
Originally titled Grave Robbers from Outer Space, this 1959 movie from infamous filmmaker Ed Wood stars the legendary Vampira (Maila Nurmi) and a posthumous Bela Lugosi. In it, aliens must resurrect the dead to stop humanity from destroying the universe.
The Visitor (1978)
Influenced by everything from The Omen to The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, The Birds, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Visitor is an Italian-produced film about an intergalactic battle between good and evil. Shot on location in Atlanta, Georgia and starring genre favorite Lance Henrikson.
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
Based on The Magnificent Seven and created to capitalize on the success of Star Wars, this Roger Corman b-movie is a genre nerd’s dream with art direction by James Cameron, music by James Horner, and screenplay by John Sayles. Also starring Richard Thomas of Walton’s fame (Goodnight, John Boy!), Robert Vaughn, John Saxon, and more.
The Beastmaster (1982)
Sword and sorcery abound in this 1982 film by Phantasm filmmaker Don Coscarelli. Although its predecessor Conan the Barbarian enjoyed more commercial success, Beastmaster was eventually thrust into a cult-like status by its repetitive play on cable TV. Featuring a Tiger King of sorts played by Marc Singer, the story follows a revenge-seeking animal telepath who was ripped from his mother’s womb by an evil witch.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension (1984)
Buckaroo Banzai is a modern day renaissance man – neurosurgeon and physicist by day, rockstar by night. This goofy new wave sci-fi adventure about saving the world features an all-star cast lineup including Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Lloyd.
Furious (1984)
Billed as karate heroes fighting aliens for control of the astral plane, Furious is a bizarre low-budget martial arts flick featuring brothers Simon and Phillip Rhee. On this dream-like journey viewers will encounter ancient medallions, enchanted tusks, people shooting chickens out of their hands, talking pigs, whispering rocks, and a musical group that might easily be mistaken for Devo.
Dead Heat (1988)
Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo star in this 1988 buddy cop horror comedy about an undead crime ring led by legendary actor Vincent Price. With special effects from veteran horror artist Steve Johnson, the gore factor is extremely high and includes a particularly memorable butcher shop reanimation scene.
Alone in the Dark (2005)
Loosely based on the Atari videogame of the same name, Alone in the Dark has garnered attention for being one of the worst films ever made. The muddled Indiana Jones-like premise about ancient demonic creatures from another dimension is accompanied by performances from Christian Slater, Tara Reid, and a horrible CGI monster that definitely make it feel like a made-for-tv SyFy movie.
