20 Cheesiest Movie of All Time

There is a special corner of film history reserved for the big swings that miss in fascinating ways. These are the movies that go all in on bold choices, unforgettable lines, and spectacle that sometimes lands far from the target. They are not subtle and they are not shy, which is exactly why they keep getting discovered by new audiences who quote them, screen them at midnight, and celebrate their most over the top moments.

This list gathers notorious misfires, cult sensations, and studio gambles that became legends for all the wrong reasons. You will find wild production stories, baffling creative decisions, and box office journeys that turned flops into fan favorites. Love them or shake your head at them, these titles continue to draw crowds because there is nothing quite like watching a movie swing for the fences and make contact with the outfield wall in the most memorable way.

‘The Room’ (2003)

Writer director star Tommy Wiseau financed the project independently and shot it on both film and digital cameras at the same time. The story follows a love triangle set in San Francisco, with locations and props that often change between scenes and dialogue that has become a staple at interactive screenings.

The film built a cult following through late night shows where viewers toss spoons, shout responses, and celebrate the rooftop green screen vistas. Cast members have toured with the movie, and a memoir by actor Greg Sestero inspired a later dramatization of the production itself.

‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959)

Ed Wood’s sci fi feature blends flying saucers, graveyards, and government meetings into a plot about aliens reanimating the dead. Bela Lugosi appears through a mix of test footage and a stand in who covers his face with a cape.

Public domain availability helped the movie spread on television and home video, turning its cardboard sets and visible strings into pop culture touchstones. It regularly appears at repertory theaters and inspired documentaries and biographies about its director.

‘Troll 2’ (1990)

Despite the title, the movie has no trolls and instead features vegetarian goblins who turn people into plants. The cast included many non professional actors from a Utah community, and the production was overseen by an Italian directing team working from a script written in English by non native speakers.

Word of mouth transformed it into a midnight hit, complete with themed parties and line readings that fans know by heart. A feature documentary by one of the stars chronicles its journey from obscurity to cult phenomenon and records reunion screenings with packed houses.

‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

The studio pushed for a toy friendly approach with bright neon sets, pun heavy dialogue, and suits that drew headlines for their sculpted details. George Clooney took over the cowl, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman as the colorful villains.

Reviews were harsh and box office returns fell short of expectations for the franchise, which led the studio to rethink the series. The next entry pivoted to a darker tone with a new creative team, while this installment found second life on home video as a curiosity from a different era of superhero filmmaking.

‘Showgirls’ (1995)

Director Paul Verhoeven and writer Joe Eszterhas reunited for a glossy drama about ambition in Las Vegas, anchored by Elizabeth Berkley’s lead performance. The film carried an NC 17 rating and became a lightning rod for its explicit content and stylized approach.

Initial box office disappointed, but home video sales were strong and midnight screenings turned it into an audience participation favorite. Retrospectives and critical reassessments continue to examine its camp appeal, choreography, and commentary on fame.

‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

Adapted from a novel by L. Ron Hubbard, the movie stars John Travolta as an alien security chief ruling a ruined Earth. The production is known for extreme Dutch angles, heavy prosthetics, and dialogue delivered through elaborate vocoders.

The film underperformed commercially and drew industry attention for financing issues and lawsuits that followed. Over time it has become a go to reference for ambitious science fiction that falters in execution, frequently cited in lists of cinematic misfires.

‘Cats’ (2019)

This adaptation of the long running musical used digital fur technology to transform a star filled cast into Jellicle felines. Early trailers sparked widespread discussion about character design, and the release version was even updated with new visual effects after opening weekend.

The movie struggled at the box office and earned a reputation for surreal set pieces that became social media fodder. Awards shows and late night programs highlighted its unusual creative choices, while sing along screenings introduced it to new crowds.

‘Flash Gordon’ (1980)

The production features ornate costumes, saturated color palettes, and a rousing soundtrack by Queen. Sam J. Jones plays the quarterback turned space hero, with Max von Sydow as Ming the Merciless and production design that evokes ornate comic strip panels.

The film did modest business on initial release yet became a staple of cable television and home video. Cast reunions, new editions, and frequent references in other media keep it alive as a cult space opera with an unmistakable aesthetic.

‘Howard the Duck’ (1986)

Produced by George Lucas, this comic book adaptation combines animatronics, suits, and early special effects to bring the title character to Earth. Lea Thompson and Jeffrey Jones co star in a plot that moves from rock clubs to laboratories to an interdimensional climax.

Critical reception was poor and the film failed to meet financial expectations, impacting the careers of several creatives involved. Over time its practical effects and original songs have drawn curiosity, and collectors prize memorabilia from the production.

‘Mac and Me’ (1988)

Funded in part through partnerships with popular brands, the movie follows a young wheelchair user who befriends an extraterrestrial. Product placement and a dance sequence inside a fast food restaurant have become its best known moments.

The film underperformed on release but lives on through televised showcases that play up its parallels to another famous alien friendship story. A running gag on late night television reintroduced the movie to modern audiences through a recurring stunt clip.

‘Xanadu’ (1980)

Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly headline a fantasy romance about a muse inspiring a struggling artist to open a roller disco. The soundtrack includes hit singles, and the production features elaborate skating numbers and neon lit sets.

Theatrical performance was disappointing, yet the music achieved significant chart success and the film built a devoted fanbase. A later stage musical reimagined the story for Broadway with a self aware tone, bringing renewed attention to the original.

‘Masters of the Universe’ (1987)

This live action take on the toy line stars Dolph Lundgren as He Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. Budget constraints shifted much of the action to Earth, with filming in Southern California locations that stood in for the town of the human protagonists.

The production company faced financial troubles, leading to cutbacks and plans for a sequel that never materialized. Home video and cable syndication kept the film visible, and modern collectors seek out props and costumes that survived the turbulent shoot.

‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1993)

Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo play the plumber brothers in a dystopian alternate dimension ruled by Dennis Hopper’s King Koopa. The set design leans into industrial grime and reptilian motifs, diverging sharply from the bright style of the games.

Reports from the shoot describe rewrites, reshoots, and tension between producers and directors, which shaped the final cut. While it disappointed at the box office, it later drew interest from gaming historians and fans curious about early video game adaptations.

‘Street Fighter’ (1994)

Jean Claude Van Damme leads an ensemble of iconic game characters assembled into a military rescue plot. Raul Julia delivers a flamboyant turn as M. Bison, filmed during a period when he was battling illness, which has become a poignant element of the film’s history.

Production took place on a tight schedule with significant choreography demands and effects that pushed resources. The movie performed well enough commercially to spawn merchandise and an animated follow up, and it remains a frequent target for competitive retro screenings.

‘Mommie Dearest’ (1981)

Based on Christina Crawford’s memoir, this biographical drama stars Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in a story of tumultuous family life. The script adapts high profile incidents from the book, including confrontations that entered cultural shorthand.

Marketing positioned it as a serious awards contender, but audience reactions turned screenings into rowdy events with call and response moments. The film’s dialogue and set pieces are now quoted at themed parties and repertory showings around the world.

‘Miami Connection’ (1987)

Shot in Orlando by a Tae Kwon Do instructor turned filmmaker, the movie follows a band of martial artist musicians battling motorcycle ninjas. Non professional actors from a local school filled key roles, and original songs by the on screen band power the soundtrack.

After a limited regional release, the film disappeared until a boutique label rediscovered a print and released a remastered edition. Festivals and midnight theaters embraced it, and the band’s songs found new life on vinyl and streaming platforms.

‘Con Air’ (1997)

Nicolas Cage leads a group of hardened convicts on a hijacked prison transport plane, with John Malkovich as the mastermind and Steve Buscemi as a soft spoken wildcard. The production staged large scale practical effects, including significant aircraft stunts and a set piece on the Las Vegas Strip.

The movie was a commercial hit and remains a fixture on television schedules, known for a soundtrack that blends rock anthems with orchestral cues. Props from the film have appeared at auctions, and the ensemble cast reunited for retrospectives that revisit its explosive set pieces.

‘Anaconda’ (1997)

Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight headline a jungle adventure about a documentary crew encountering a giant snake. The production used a mix of animatronics and computer generated imagery to create the creature, along with river sets built on soundstages.

The film performed strongly in theaters and spawned sequels that moved to direct to video distribution. Natural history experts and effects artists have discussed its creature design in behind the scenes features that explain how the snake sequences were built.

‘Road House’ (1989)

Patrick Swayze plays a professional cooler hired to clean up a rowdy roadside bar, with Sam Elliott as his mentor and Ben Gazzara as the local heavy. The movie mixes barroom brawls with a romance subplot and features a soundtrack with blues rock performers.

Although reviews were mixed, cable airings turned it into a staple of late night programming. It inspired a later reimagining and remains a reference point for bar fight choreography and small town action melodrama.

‘Cobra’ (1986)

Sylvester Stallone stars as a maverick cop taking on a cult of violent criminals, delivering terse one liners and action scenes set in supermarkets, garages, and coastal towns. The project began as a different franchise pitch and morphed into a standalone vehicle with heavy rewrites.

Censorship concerns led to edits that trimmed violence, and a longer cut has been the subject of fan interest. The film did solid business at the box office, boosted soundtrack sales, and cemented a certain strain of hard edged cop thriller aesthetics.

Share your picks for gloriously over the top favorites in the comments and tell us which titles you think belong on the list.