Best Campy Movies

From Joseph L. Mankiewicz, starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm
Rated Passed

All About Eve is a 1950 classic directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, and Celeste Holm. It follows the story of an aspiring young actress, Eve Harrington (Baxter), who maneuvers her way into the lives of Broadway star Margo Channing (Davis) and her circle of friends. The film is filled with witty dialogue and sly observations that expose the ruthlessness of the entertainment industry. As the story progresses, it is revealed that Eve has been playing a dangerous game and manipulating those around her for her own gain. In the end, Margo comes to realize that she is not untouchable and must accept her own vulnerability. All About Eve examines the dark side of ambition, fame, and celebrity, and remains a masterpiece of modern cinema.

From Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Wesley Addy
Rated Passed

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American psychological horror-thriller film directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It tells the story of a former Hollywood starlet, Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis), who holds her paraplegic sister Blanche (Joan Crawford) captive in their decaying Hollywood mansion. The film follows Jane's descent into madness as her increasingly disturbed behavior leads to a violent confrontation between the two sisters. With its themes of sibling rivalry, revenge, and mental illness, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? stands as a classic of the horror genre and is seen as a precursor to the modern-day horror film.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a psychological horror film directed by Rob Reiner, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. It follows a successful romance novelist, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who ends up being held captive by a deranged fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). Annie, a former nurse, had saved Paul's life after a car accident and, after finding out that he killed off her favorite character in his new book, is determined to keep him captive. She forces him to write a new book, which she believes will bring her favorite character back to life, while also punishing him for his mistake. As Paul attempts to escape from Annie's clutches, their relationship gradually becomes more dangerous and twisted. He eventually manages to outwit her and escape, but not before Annie inflicts a lot of psychological and physical damage on him. The film was met with critical acclaim, with Bates winning an Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes. It was a box office success, earning over $61 million in North America alone, and becoming the highest-grossing Stephen King adaptation of all time.

From Tod Browning, starring Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Roscoe Ates
Rated Not Rated

Freaks (1932) is a horror drama film directed by Tod Browning and starring Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova and Harry Earles. The film follows the story of a group of circus sideshow performers who are exploited and mistreated by a cruel trapeze artist. When the trapeze artist and her strongman partner plot to murder one of them for his inheritance, the sideshow “freaks” unite to enact a chilling revenge. Despite its shocking content, the film became a cult classic and is widely considered to be one of the earliest and most influential horror films in history.

From Directors: Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Muffie Meyer, starring Edith Bouvier Beale, Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Brooks Hyers
Rated PG

Grey Gardens is a 1975 documentary film directed by the Maysles brothers (Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Muffie Meyer). The film follows the struggles of reclusive socialites Edith Bouvier Beale (Big Edie) and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale (Little Edie), once-wealthy members of the Bouvier family, as they cope with life in a dilapidated East Hampton mansion. As the movie progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the mother and daughter’s increasingly unhinged behavior is the product of their refusal to confront the realities of their reduced station in life. The film offers a unique glimpse into the socialite lifestyle of the past and the heartbreaking dynamics between the two women. With humor, poignancy, and insight, the documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Walter Hill, starring Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler
Rated R

The Warriors is a 1979 cult classic film directed by Walter Hill. It is a tale of urban warfare set in the sleazy and violent underbelly of 1970s New York City. The story follows the Warriors, a street gang from the Bronx, who are framed for the murder of a rival gang leader. They must battle their way through various dangerous gangs in order to get back to their home turf and prove their innocence. Along the way, they face not only other gangs, but also the police, who are determined to put an end to the gang violence. With a thrilling and action-packed story, The Warriors is an exciting and thrilling ride that still resonates with audiences today.

From Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, Edgar Wright, Rob Zombie, starring Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, Danny Trejo, Zoë Bell
Rated R

Grindhouse is a double feature horror/action movie consisting of two feature length films directed by Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, Edgar Wright, and Rob Zombie. The first half of the double feature, Planet Terror, is directed by Rodriguez and follows a group of people in a small Texas town as they fight against an unstoppable plague of zombie-like creatures. The second half, Death Proof, is directed by Tarantino and follows a stuntman who stalks and kills young women with his car. Both films feature tongue-in-cheek humor, over-the-top gore and violence, and thrilling action sequences. The film also includes several faux trailers for additional B-movie-style horror films, directed by the same list of directors.

From Jim Sharman, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta
Rated R

From Todd Solondz, starring Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis, Christina Vidal
Rated R

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker
Rated NC-17

From Jacques Tourneur, starring Simone Simon, Tom Conway, Kent Smith, Jane Randolph
Rated Not Rated

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence
Rated R

From Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Mabel King
Rated R

From John Waters, starring Divine, Tab Hunter, Edith Massey, David Samson
Rated R

From François Ozon, starring Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Béart, Danielle Darrieux, Catherine Deneuve
Rated R

From Richard Fleischer, starring Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Connors
Rated PG

From Robert Townsend, starring Robert Townsend, Craigus R. Johnson, Helen Martin, Starletta DuPois
Rated R

From Desmond Davis, starring Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Claire Bloom, Maggie Smith
Rated PG

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith, Ray Liotta, George 'Red' Schwartz
Rated R

From John Waters, starring Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, Matthew Lillard
Rated R

From Jack Hill, starring Pam Grier, Booker Bradshaw, Robert DoQui, William Elliott
Rated R

From Michael Schultz, starring Taimak, Vanity, Christopher Murney, Julius Carry
Rated PG-13

From Mark L. Lester, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells
Rated R

From Frank Perry, starring Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest, Howard Da Silva
Rated R