B-movies
Low-budget cinema
B-movies are low-budget films, originally the second feature in a double bill during Hollywood's studio era.
The term now describes any cheaply made movie, often in genre categories like horror, science fiction, or action: We stayed up watching B-movies on cable.
Some B-movies achieve cult status precisely because of their low production values and campy qualities.
Low-quality merchandise
- campTemporary outdoor shelter site
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- grindhouseLow-budget film theater
- drive-inVenue serving seated motorists
creature feature · slasher · sci-fi · horror · monster movie · cult film · splatter · midnight movie
Costing relatively little
- shoestringCord for footwear
- guerrilla filmmakingUltra-low-budget independent production
- indieProduced outside majors
- direct-to-videoReleased only for home
practical effects · rubber suit · bad acting · stock footage · non-union · poor lighting · backlot · soundstage
Passionate niche audience
- midnight screeningsFilms shown after dark
- double featureTwo movies, one admission
- drive-in theaterOutdoor movie venue for automobiles
- VHSAnalog tape format
collectors · fandom · underground · counterculture · nostalgia · revival · repertory · Elvira
schlock
Low-quality merchandise
- campTemporary outdoor shelter site
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- grindhouseLow-budget film theater
drive-in · creature feature · slasher · sci-fi · horror · monster movie · cult film · splatter · midnight movie · cheapie
low-budget
Costing relatively little
- shoestringCord for footwear
- guerrilla filmmakingUltra-low-budget independent production
- indieProduced outside majors
direct-to-video · practical effects · rubber suit · bad acting · stock footage · non-union · poor lighting · backlot · soundstage
cult following
Passionate niche audience
- midnight screeningsFilms shown after dark
- double featureTwo movies, one admission
- drive-in theaterOutdoor movie venue for automobiles
VHS · collectors · fandom · underground · counterculture · nostalgia · revival · repertory · Elvira · genre conventions
campy
Entertainingly artificial and overblown
over-the-top · melodramatic · lurid · garish · tacky · absurd · stilted · corny · hokey · sensationalist
- filmmovies, film, filmmaking, cinematography, film editing
- DVD bin moviesmockbusters, creature features
- Mad Scientistmad scientist, secret lab, lab coat, laboratory, evil genius
- horror fandomhorror films, slasher films, slasher movies, monster movies, creature features
- lowbrowreality TV, tabloids, gossip magazines, trash TV, celebrity gossip
- schlockschlock, schlocky, trash, junk, dreck