Bad Movies You Should Watch Just Once

Not every movie is destined for awards-show greatness. That is, unless you count the Golden Raspberry Awards, an annual ceremony in which the year's worst films and actors take home $4.97 gold spray-painted Razzies® that in no way resemble the 24-karat gold-plated Oscar statuettes handed out at the Academy Awards.

However, just because a movie doesn't meet the classical definition of a "great" film doesn't mean it isn't worth your time. Below are a few truly terrible movies—many of which have the distinction of being Razzie® nominees or winners—that simply beg to be watched at least once. Grab your snacks and settle in for some entertainment so cringe-worthy, you won't be able to take your eyes off the television.

Why it's bad: What Mariah Carey's first feature film lacks in credibility, it makes up in downright horrible acting and clichéd storytelling. Carey plays singer Billie Frank, who was abandoned as a child by her drug-addicted mother and later lands a record deal with the help of "bad boy" DJ Julian Dice. In a typical "rags to riches" plot, Billie overcomes her volatile relationship with Dice to achieve stardom and eventually reunite with her mom.

Why you should watch it anyway: The best parts of the movie are Carey's vocals. After all, there's a reason she's considered one of the greatest 100 singers of all time, according to Rolling Stone. Plus, some of the lines are unintentionally hilarious, like this one:

[after seeing Sylk's lip-synched performance, which featured Billie's voice]
Dice: "Man, Sylk. That was amazing."
Sylk: "Really? Did you like it?"
Dice: "I had no idea you could blow like that."
[Sylk puts her arms around Dice]
Sylk: [suggestively] "I didn't know you were so interested in how good I could blow."

Why it's bad: Low production value and an outlandish plot are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Sharknado, the SyFy TV movie in which "a freak storm brings hundreds of vicious, man-eating sharks ashore" in Los Angeles. It's a B-movie starring the likes of Tara Reid and Ian Ziering, made famous by playing (when he was nearly 30 years old, mind you) high school student Steve Sanders in Beverly Hills, 90210.

Why you should watch it anyway: It's certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus being that Sharknado is "proudly, shamelessly and gloriously brainless." David Hinckley, film critic for the New York Daily News, said Sharknado is "an hour and a half of your life that you'll never get back. And you won't want to." Besides, there's got to be a reason it spawned (pun intended) three sequels.

Why it's bad: The title tells you everything you need to know about this '80s horror/comedy B-movie, in which alien invaders dressed like clowns use popcorn-shooting guns and acid-drenched pies to subdue victims before sealing them in cotton-candy cocoons and draining their blood. The ludicrous plot is made worse by the ridiculous acting and silly screenwriting. Case in point: Upon entering the alien's spaceship—which, naturally, looks like a circus tent—one of the film's protagonists says, "God, is this place great, or what? I mean, it looks like it was decorated by 'Clowns R Us'!"

Why you should watch it anyway: With a budget of less than $2 million, Killer Klowns from Outer Space went on to gross more than $43 million worldwide. If filmmakers the Chiodo brothers could earn that kind of return on such a bad flick, there's hope for any would-be director armed with only an iPhone. Plus, one memorable scene features one of the killer clowns jamming a straw into a cotton-candy cocoon before it starts slurping bodily fluids from the unlucky victim inside. That alone is worth the watch.

Why it's bad: Drop Dead Fred attempts to tackle serious psychological trauma using humor, and it just doesn't work—especially since said humor relies mostly on behavior like nose-picking and tracking dog poop all over the living room floor. In the movie (which, shockingly, was marketed to children), main character Elizabeth is dealing with a cheating husband and the loss of her job when she moves back in with her emotionally and mentally abusive mother. The events spark the reappearance of Lizzie's childhood imaginary friend, the titular Fred, who quickly wreaks havoc on what little semblance of a life she has left. Not exactly child-friendly fare.

Why you should watch it anyway: Despite the plot, the movie features an underrated performance by star Phoebe Cates (of Fast Times at Ridgemont High fame). It's also one of Carrie Fisher's lesser-known roles as Janie, Lizzie's best friend whose houseboat Fred sinks. If nothing else, tune in for the "cobwebs" scene—trust us on that one.

Why it's bad: Howard the Duck has the unfortunate distinction of being the first Marvel property to be made into a theatrical film. Produced by none other than George Lucas a few years after Return of the Jedi, the movie features terrible duck puns ("I know quack fu!") and yet another alien-focused plot in which the titular character has to save Earth from the so-called Dark Overlord of the Universe. With help from Beverly (Back to the Future's Lea Thompson), Howard succeeds and, instead of going back to planet Duckworld, becomes the manager of Beverly's rock band, even joining her onstage for a guitar solo just before the credits roll. Yeah, you get the point.

Why you should watch it anyway: Despite its PG rating, Howard the Duck is famous for its sexual innuendos, including duck breasts and some highly inappropriate interactions between Beverly and Howard. In other words, it's the perfect movie to watch with a beer in your hand—and a few adult friends who can appreciate a sex-crazed duck that walks, talks and fancies duck porn.

Why it's bad: The remake of the old '50s horror movie features a glowing and basically indestructible gooey monster that hungers for human flesh. As one IMDb reviewer put it, The Blob is the very definition of "bad"—bad acting, bad screenwriting, a big-bad government and a bad boy (Kevin Dillon) as the reluctant hero who helps save the day.

Why you should watch it anyway: See above. Despite its obvious downfalls, The Blob features enough of the stereotypical horror-movie tropes (a small-town setting, naive townsfolk and horny teenagers awaiting slaughter as they make out in parked cars) to be an entertaining watch. Still hesitant? Chew on this bit of dialogue:

Colonel Hargis: "Let's scrag that son-of-a-bitch!"
[the soldiers fire their weapons into the manhole]
Colonel Hargis: "SATCHEL CHARGE! SHORT FUSE! FIRE IN THE HOLE!"
[Drops the explosive into the manhole and it detonates]
Colonel Hargis: "Chew on that, slimeball!"
[after a pause, the ground all around them begins to tremor violently]
Colonel Hargis: "What's happening?"
Brian Flagg: "I think ... you pissed it off!"

Why it's bad: Dancers of various backgrounds enroll at a ballet school in hopes of landing a spot in the American Ballet Company, led by a magnificently eyebrowed Peter Gallagher. But poor editing, cheesy dialogue and even some sex-scene choreography thrown into one of the ballet showcases toward the end of the film make for a pretty unbelievable experience. Case in point: Talented dancer Maureen is revealed to be bulimic, but when she's throwing up in the ladies room in one scene, you can see her through the door—where she isn't really bending over the toilet, but instead standing up as she makes the requisite puking noises.

Why you should watch it anyway: Since the Center Stage cast includes real-life dancers Ethan Stiefel, Sascha Radetsky and Amanda Schull (among others), some of the choreography is actually quite impressive. Plus, the soundtrack features such artists as Jamiroquai, Michael Jackson and Red Hot Chili Peppers, which means you'll be bopping your head even if your close your eyes during certain parts.

Why it's bad: IMDb describes the plot of Leprechaun as such: "An evil, sadistic leprechaun goes on a killing rampage in search of his beloved pot of gold." Like vampires are historically fought off with crosses, the leprechaun in this 1993 film is repelled by four-leaf clovers. He also talks in ridiculous riddles as he hilariously runs around looking for his gold, one of many reasons this horror movie isn't the least bit scary.

Why you should watch it anyway: Friends star Jennifer Aniston made her feature film debut here, so it's worth tuning in if you want to see the future Rachel Green try to murder a leprechaun with a shotgun. It's always entertaining to see genuinely good actors in their early roles, especially when the projects are as terrible as Leprechaun. You'll also want to stick around for pure comedy gold like this:

[Ozzie sits in the truck screaming in shock after the leprechaun just bit off his ear]
Ozzie: "My — My ear! He got my ear!"
Alex: [Alex slaps Ozzie across the face] "Hey, chill!"

Why it's bad: Like many movies on this list, Anaconda has achieved cult status in the 20 years since its release. But the nonsensical plot, in which a group of documentary filmmakers are taken hostage and forced to hunt for a giant snake, includes horribly fake-looking CGI and animatronic versions of the titular monster, along with unintentionally hilarious death scenes. It pretty much defines the "so bad it's good" category of movies.

Why you should watch it anyway: Actor Jon Voight is simply delightful as Paraguayan snake hunter Paul Sarone, an over-the-top villain with a terrible Spanish accent. In fact, on a list of the 15 worst movie accents ever, MTV writes: "It's as if Tony Montana got swallowed by a large snake and then got spit back out for leaving such a bad taste in its mouth; that's the best way to describe what Jon Voight sounded like in Anaconda." In other words, Voight's hot mess of a performance makes this movie a must-see.

Why it's bad: Accidental humor also plays a role in the cult classic that is Showgirls, in which Saved by the Bell's Elizabeth Berkley sheds her good-girl image to play dancer-turned-stripper-turned-showgirl Nomi Malone, who arrives in Las Vegas with dreams of making it big. The movie features over-the-top performances not just from Berkley, but costars Kyle MacLachlan and Gina Gershon—and is known for pretty much ruining Berkley's burgeoning acting career.

Why you should watch it anyway: If you buy into the theory that director Paul Verhoeven knew exactly what he was doing with Showgirls, you can learn to appreciate the movie's satirical self-awareness. You also can't help but laugh at the truly awful dancing, not to mention the side-splitting thrashing involved in Berkley's sex scene with MacLachlan. Warning: It's not for the faint of heart.