Gallery: Tremors Unfairly Maligned? Cheesy Sci-Fi Classics, as Picked by You
01tremorsb-f
Readers threw a collective fit when Wired.com included Tremors in its recent roundup of the cheesiest movies ever made. The consensus: Kevin Bacon's 1990 movie about giant underground snakes was *awesome*. "Putting Tremors in the same galaxy as *Battlefield Earth* should result in bodily harm of some kind," wrote tracester, representing the majority view. "How can you say no to the Family Ties dad with a basement full of guns actually needing to use them -- *all* of them -- in one scene? Come on! Commenters also felt Cloverfield was unfairly maligned by [RiffTrax](http://www.rifftrax.com/) smart-alec Kevin Murphy, who described "Clovie" as arguably "the lamest CG monster not to appear on a sci-fi movie." Cheesy sci-fi films snubbed during the first go-round had no shortage of champions. In this gallery of readers' choices, check out a sampling of commenter-submitted votes for movies about homicidal rabbits, extraterrestrial clowns and aliens who gift earthlings with "glowing walnuts." __Above:__ Tremors ------- *Tremors*!? I remember renting *Tremors* all the time. It was pretty fun to watch. Plenty of gibs, too. It was like that "don't step on the carpet because it is made of lava" game you used to play with your siblings. *—nealtime* Why *Tremors*? I liked it and it's definitely not a cheesy movie (although *all* of the sequels were.) As for *Cloverfield*, while I thought it was really really bad (all the movement of the camera gave me a headache), it definitely wasn't cheesy. If you really want cheese just watch the Syfy channel on Sundays. *—HipCat* Take *Tremors* off yer dang list! Jeesh! It's a camp classic, not a cheesefest. I think you're going to have to turn in your geek card: *Fail.* *—sevenof9fl* What's *Tremors* doing on the list? *Tremors 2*, *3*, yes but not *Tremors 1*. *—Jakelalens* I agree with those above: Remove *Tremors*. It's too good to be on this list. *From Hell It Came,* *The Navy vs. the Night Monsters* and *Mars Needs Women*. How did you guys miss those? *—LauraAnnScaife* *Tremors* ... was meant to be a send-up of horror films, and it's hilarious. *—crankycodger* *Tremors* is a classic and should not be on the list. Missing the abysmal *Nightflyers*. *—netPirate* *Tremors* was slightly cheesy, but mostly just jumping good fun. The hallmark of a movie that belongs on this is where the critters, despite their visible seams and rubber wiggle, show more emotion than the humans. Take *Tremors* off and replace with something like *Attack of the Giant Leeches* or *The Monolith Monsters*. *—jenjen* Remove *Tremors* and *Battlefield Earth*. Yes I know how much nerds love to rip on how that was a horrible movie (never seen it but people were just saying it was bad not cheesy).... Also, if you are going to make a list of cheesy movies and you don't include *any* Bruce Campbell flicks then you fail miserably. Yes I love his movies and a lot of people do but only because of how cheesy they are. A few others you seemed to have left out (or maybe never heard of): *Bats*, *Monsturd*, *Eight Legged Freaks*, *Dead Alive*. *—bstud82* You greatly anger me with putting *Cloverfield* and *Tremors* on the list. Most of these movies are so bad they are good (*Attack of the Killer Shrews*, for example). But both of the above-mentioned movies really are nothing compared to what's on this list. Am I in the minority that thinks that *Tremors* is one of the best movies ever made? *—Ratdog*
02frogs2
Frogs ----- 1972's [eco-horror flick *Frogs*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogs_(film)) is one of several "animals attack" pictures submitted for the cheese hall of fame. Where is *Frogs* on this list? I believe that is was the precursor film for all the nature-gets-revenge-animals-eating-people crap that has come since. *—Doomedhuman* I am deeply -- deeply -- disappointed to not see *Frogs* in this list. It really throws into question the credibility of Messrs. Flores and Nelson. *—wasserfish* *Tremors* is awesome! One of my favorite movies! Seriously, *any* 1970s "animal" movie would work here. Let's see, *Frogs*, *Attack of the Killer Bees*, *Pirahna*, etc. *— johnahay07*
03eight-legged-f
Eight-Legged Freaks ------------------- I love *Tremors*. It is cheesy, but not as cheesy as *Santa Claus vs. the Martians* or *Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country* or *Eight-Legged Freaks* *—SoyIsMurder* *Tremors* is a very entertaining movie! The remake of *Clash of the Titans* sucked! Put *Eight-Legged Freaks* on this list! *—mnw1989*
04alien-resurrection
Alien: Resurrection ------------------- Two hours of a music-bare operetta directed by a French specialist of the genre. And then in the last 10 minutes: Action Ripley making love with a Chinese soup. Action Ripley giving birth to a failed Iron Maiden mascot. Action Ripley finally post-aborting her child through a spaceship window. *—SChom*
05they-live
They Live ---------- John Carpenter's goofy 1988 [sci-fi movie](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/) about a drifter who sees aliens whenever he wears magic sunlasses got a thumbs up from one reader: Where is *They Live*? *—kelarius*
06message-from-space
Message From Space ------------------ I do believe you missed one of the all-time classic flops: *Message From Space* ... came out just before *Star Wars*.... " Wait! I haven't got my nut!" referring to a special "glowing" walnut, given to "select" individuals chosen for a "higher purpose." The opening scene of a policeman chasing down some teenager speed-racing his space-hotrod was a tip-off to the rest of the movie. *—grieford*
07icepirates
Ice Pirates ----------- *Ice Pirates*! Ok, it's supposed to be funny, but it could be the cheesiest sci-fi movie of all time. I mean, a jive-talking robot? Classic! *—chrisinspace*
08empire-of-ants
*Empire of the Ants* -------------------- What about *Empire of the Ants*? Seriously cheesy with hairy, mechanical ants. *—Belseth*
09killer-clowns2
Killer Clowns From Outer Space ------------------------------ *Killer Clowns From Outer Space*; *Surf Nazis Must Die* *—Tiima*
10humanoids-from-the-deep-660
*Humanoids From the Deep* ------------------------- Please remove *Tremors* and *Cloverfield* as both are absolutely fabulous! Please replace with *Humanoids From the Deep* (1980) and *SSSSSSSSS* (1973). *—reneet*
11deadalive
Dead Alive (Braindead) ---------------------- Director Peter Jackson's 1992 zombie horror-comedy [*Braindead*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braindead_%28film%29), released in the United States as *Dead Alive*, got a vote: *Dead Alive (Braindead)* *—Zombowski*
12devils-rain-f
The Devil's Rain ---------------- Shatner. Ernest Borgnine. Tom Skerritt. First big-screen appearance of Travolta (in a mask, no less!) Shatner is the keeper of a book inked in blood (not *The Necronomicon*) with names of souls promised to Satan. McHale/Borgnine is the evil Satanist priest who's been hunting the book for 200 years (give or take). Great, corny performances, and melting faces that would make the end of *Raiders of the Lost Ark* jealous. Awesomeness! (While on Borgnine, check out Wes Craven's *Deadly Blessing* for scary Amish kookiness!) *—obijuanmartinez*
13flash-gordon3
Flash Gordon ------------ Where's Ming the Merciless? The [1936 spaceship adventure](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027623/) that inspired George Lucas' *Star Wars* got called out by some readers. (Or maybe it was the 1980 [*Flash Gordon*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080745/) remake.) *Flash Gordon*! *—Georgios1974*
14giant-claw
*The Giant Claw* ---------------- James D. Rolfe’s favorite: *[The Giant Claw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTVvok4S_9E)*.
15grizzly4
Grizzly -------- *Grizzly* (1976). Cheesy to the core. Need I say more? I gotta admit my tween years were shaped by the cinematic masterpieces *Day of the Animals* (1977) and *Prophecy* (1979): Two cautionary tales of mankind's plundering of Mother Earth via ozone depletion and industrial waste. *—jelleyhead*
16h-man
The H-Man --------- How could you possibly leave out *[The H-Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051413/)*? Not only hokey but Japanese voiceovers. *—primus*
17hell-comes-to-frogtown2
Hell Comes to Frogtown ---------------------- *Hell Comes to Frogtown*, *They Live*, *V*, *Deep Blue Sea* *—Zombowski*
18it-conquered-the-world
It Conquered the World ---------------------- Take *Tremors* off the list, as it was just too perfect (Reba as a survivalist!). Replace with *It Conquered the World*, referenced in the Frank Zappa song "Cheapness." *—nturner*
19killer-tomatoattack
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes ----------------------------- I can't believe *Attack of the Killer Tomatoes* is not on this list. Absolute classic cheesiness. *—MadLyb* Where is *Attack of the Killer Tomatoes*?! *—gcarcass*
20manos-hands-f
Manos: The Hands of Fate ------------------------ What? *Manos: The Hands of Fate* isn't listed? *—Mithras*
21mega-shark-vs-giant-octopus
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus ---------------------------- Where is the modern classic *Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus*, starring Lorenzo Lamas and Deborah Gibson? The Mega Shark takes down a trans-Pacific airliner by jumping out of the ocean and pulling it out of the sky. Later it attacks the Golden Gate Bridge, biting the central span. The plot is just as cheesy. Two prehistoric, mortal enemies are trapped in the arctic ice during the throes of battle. Global warming causes them to be set free due to melting polar ice caps. *—dgrimesii*
22night-lepus
Night of the Lepus ------------------ 1972's [killer-rabbit movie Night of the Lepus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Lepus) picked up multiple votes: There are easily dozens more deserving than much of what's on the list.... *Battlefield Earth* may have been one of the stupidest big-budget movies ever made but the production value was fairly slick -- it was the dialogue that was cheesy. *Slither* was stupid but it was once again a slick movie, just bad. *Attack of the Puppet People* was a silly idea but far from as bad as many others from the time. How about *Invasion of the Saucer Men*? It's a fun movie but supercheesy. I would have even accepted *Night of the Lepus* or *Kingdom of the Spiders*, even though *Lepus* had some cool model shots and was silly fun. *—Belseth*
23robot-holocaust-f
Robot Holocaust --------------- Skewered by *Mystery Science Theater 3000* and revived on Hulu.com, this [1968 flick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Holocaust) featured a drifter named Neo who treks through post-apocalyptic New York, assisted by a robot sidekick. Pretty surprised *Robot Holocaust* isn't on the list *—salvarm*
24santa-martians2
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians ---------------------------------- Movie that should have been on the list: *Santa Claus Conquers the Martians*. This 1964 flick featured a very young Pia Zadora, foreshadowing her own stunning acting career, as a little Martian girl. It is beyond cheesy, which makes it especially entertaining. *—scootmandu*
25snail-vs-kungfu
Deadly Snail vs. Kung Fu Killer ------------------------------- Add *Deadly Snail vs. Kung Fu Killer*. So inept that in the final scene you can see shadows on the blue sky.... I might consider, *Killer Clown From Outer Space* in this list, but the set design was so awesome that it lifts the whole film into a higher class. Add *Lifeforce*. Nekked, pretty lady vampires, zombies from London, riots, lord knows what else. And Tobe Hooper's other masterpieces, *The Funhouse*, *The Mangler* et al. *—specialEd*
26terror-of-tiny-town
The Terror of Tiny Town ----------------------- They missed *The Terror of Tiny Town*, a small-person B&W version of a "B" Western. The cheesiest point: When the leader of the bad guys, while wearing a ridiculously tall 10-gallon hat, walked under a hitching rail without removing or knocking off his hat. *—OldBilly*
27the-thing-with-two-heads
The Thing With Two Heads ------------------------ *The Thing With Two Heads* starring Rosie Greer and Ray Milland, a bigot and a black football player grafted onto a single body. Don't miss the thrilling go-cart race! And speaking of Ray Milland, *Panic in the Year Zero.* (Was that the one where teenage heart-throb Ray Peterson turned into a radioactive monster?) *Blackula*, *Blood Couple*, *Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2* (No. 1 wasn't bad.) *Last House on the Left 2.* In fact, almost anything that's "2," "3," "4" or beyond. And every Nazi zombie film, including the one made with wazzizname the porn star.*—specialEd*
