B-movie
Low-budget cinema fare
A B-movie is a low-budget film, originally the second feature in a double bill.
The term now describes any cheaply made movie, often with poor acting, weak scripts, and amateurish effects: We stayed up watching B-movies on cable.
Some B-movies achieve cult status precisely because of their flaws.
The B suggests second-tier quality rather than a specific budget threshold.
Low-budget film theater
- drive-inVenue serving seated motorists
- sexploitationFilms exploiting carnal content
- blaxploitationSeventies Black action cinema
- goreGraphic bloody violence
shock value · sleaze · taboo · sensational · lurid · trashy · provocative · gratuitous
Cheap and insincere
- hammyExcessively theatrical in style
- overactedPerformed with excessive drama
- melodramaticExaggeratedly emotional in expression
- cornyTiresomely sentimental or trite
kitschy · schlocky · tongue-in-cheek · exaggerated · zany · campy · hokey · low-rent
Outdoor movie venue for automobiles
- matineeDaytime theatrical performance
- double featureTwo movies, one admission
- VHSAnalog tape format
- creature featureFilm showcasing a beast
late-night TV · 1950s · atomic age · Cold War · flying saucers · giant insects · marquee · golden age
Film showcasing a beast
- slasherKnife-wielding horror villain
- zombieReanimated dead body
- alien invasionAttack from outer space
- giant monsterOversized fearsome creature
mutant · mad scientist · horror · sci-fi · action · thriller · kaiju · werewolf
Extremely limited financial resources
- microbudgetExtremely limited funding
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- bargain basementDiscount shopping area
Films shown after dark
- cult classicObscure work with devoted fans
- fan conventionsOrganized enthusiast gatherings
- Rocky HorrorGlam rock musical phenomenon
- guilty pleasureEnjoyment tinged with shame
iconic scenes · hidden gems · rediscovered · underground hit · sleeper
grindhouse
Low-budget film theater
- drive-inVenue serving seated motorists
- sexploitationFilms exploiting carnal content
- blaxploitationSeventies Black action cinema
gore · shock value · sleaze · taboo · sensational · lurid · trashy · provocative · gratuitous · nudity
cheesy
Cheap and insincere
- hammyExcessively theatrical in style
- overactedPerformed with excessive drama
- melodramaticExaggeratedly emotional in expression
corny · kitschy · schlocky · tongue-in-cheek · exaggerated · zany · campy · hokey · low-rent · bad dialogue
drive-in theater
Outdoor movie venue for automobiles
- matineeDaytime theatrical performance
- double featureTwo movies, one admission
- VHSAnalog tape format
creature feature · late-night TV · 1950s · atomic age · Cold War · flying saucers · giant insects · marquee · golden age · retro
creature feature
Film showcasing a beast
- slasherKnife-wielding horror villain
- zombieReanimated dead body
- alien invasionAttack from outer space
giant monster · mutant · mad scientist · horror · sci-fi · action · thriller · kaiju · werewolf · vampire
shoestring budget
Extremely limited financial resources
- microbudgetExtremely limited funding
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
bargain basement · stock footage · direct-to-video · Ed Wood · public domain
midnight screenings
Films shown after dark
- cult classicObscure work with devoted fans
- fan conventionsOrganized enthusiast gatherings
- Rocky HorrorGlam rock musical phenomenon
guilty pleasure · iconic scenes · hidden gems · rediscovered · underground hit · sleeper
- film genreshorror, comedy, drama, action, romance
- HollywoodHollywood, Tinseltown, Hollywood Sign, silver screen, big screen
- Mad Scientistmad scientist, secret lab, lab coat, laboratory, evil genius
- media genresadventure, comedy, action, documentary, horror
- B-moviesexploitation film, exploitation films, cult film, cult classic, cult classics
- cult followingcult classic, cult film, cult hit, fandom, superfan
B-movieblockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
tentpole · prestige film · spectacular · star vehicle · epic
B-movieprestige film
Movie aiming for awards
art film · arthouse cinema · arthouse film · Oscar bait · masterpiece