There is an undeniable charm to B-movies; they can either subvert audience expectations with the freedom allowed from working outside the Hollywood system, or try to capture the audience’s attention with bravado and sensationalism. Regardless, cinema on a lower budget can offer many ways to entertain, and many of today’s beloved directors, particularly of horror, made a name for themselves making B-movies, from Sam Raimi to Peter Jackson.
Those who get a taste for low-budget movies tend to always be on the lookout for hidden gems, with platforms like Tubi offering an abundance of great B-films to choose from. However, as more films become available for free on YouTube, many classic and unheralded B-movies have become more readily available. Here are 15 of the best free B-Movies you can currently find on YouTube.
A man driven insane by the death of his daughter begins terrorizing an apartment complex, killing the various residents with various tools. However, when one of his potential victims is kidnapped instead, a desperate search to find the young girl begins, which draws both the police and her brother closer to finding the culprit. The movie was remade by Tobe Hooper in 2004.
Multipurpose Killing Tools
Dennis Donnelly’s ’70s shocker hits that perfect mix of sleaze and horror that one would want from a low-budget feature of the era. Despite the gritty aesthetic and somewhat callous nature of the story (plenty of victim blaming), the production is more polished than many others of that era and, on a purely visceral level, delivers sensational violence with flare.
The movie won’t be to everyone’s taste, as the opening consists of a series of gruesome murders strung together with a rather thin plot that includes a long rant from B-movie staple Cameron Mitchell. Still, those who love the unapologetically gritty vibe and themes of ’70s exploitation/horror cinema will find this an ideal way to kill some time and cheer on a few well-executed death sequences.
Watch The Toolbox Murders on YouTube.
14 Evil Speak (1981)
Stanley Coopersmith is the constant target of abuse by other service members in the army reserve. However, things change when he stumbles upon an ancient book and a computer program that helps him initiate a satanic ritual to get revenge. Calling on evil druids from the past, Stanley turns the school into a living nightmare for those who mistreated him.
The Devil Is Online
A young and dashing Clint Howard plays Stanley in the ’80s teen drama turned supernatural cheese-fest. That said, there is a lot to love here, from the evoking of Satan into the modern era through a computer program to the blood-soaked final conclusion, where Stanley fully embraces his demonic side.
While the film was part of the infamous video nasties list, perhaps due to the graphic closing moments, it is actually relatively tame for an 80s horror, with much of the appeal coming from building up Stanley as a likable protagonist that the viewer will want to see get revenge. Watch Evil Speak on YouTube.
13 BMX Bandits (1983)
BMX Bandits follows a trio of teen BMX enthusiasts, P.J., Goose, and Judy, who inadvertently get involved with a group of bank robbers after discovering their hidden stash. This puts them on the gang’s radar, and using their BMX skills, the trio must escape and thwart the criminals. The Australian film presents a chase across Sydney, celebrating the era’s popular bike fashion and culture.
Your Crime Is No Match for My Sick BMX Tricks
Australian director Brian Trenchard-Smith may not be a household name, but his command of b-cinema in Australia has garnered him a cult following, particularly considering the director would tackle almost any genre. Still, out of his works in horror like Dead In Drive-in or action titles like Day of the Panther, it is hard not to be won over by the innocent charm and nostalgia-soaked vibe of BMX Bandits.
The movie almost feels like a parody of itself when viewed in a modern context, but this is ideal for those who grew up in or love the ’80s as every moment oozes the style and attitude of the era. BMX Bandits also features a young Nicole Kidman, making her film debut at the age of 16. Watch BMX Bandits on YouTube.
12 Savage Streets (1984)
Los Angeles high school student Brenda (Linda Blair) sets out to get revenge against a male gang who assaulted her deaf sister and murdered one of her friends. She enlists the help of the all-female gang known as the Saints to take out the Scars, resulting in a blood war in the streets of LA.
A War in the Streets With Nothing to Lose
Fans of b-movies of the ’80s will likely be enticed to check out Savage Streets with the inclusion of two stand-outs of the era in Linda Blair and Linnea Quigley. While Quigely’s role is a bit more toned down, Blair is allowed to indulge in her loud, outspoken personality that made her such a stand-out in horror and action films. Seeing her get revenge is very entertaining and cathartic.
Savage Streets is a bit more on the gritty side, and there is a lot of harassment on screen that often turns violent toward women, so the film should be approached with caution. Still, the B-movie stands out for its mix of action and exploitation, all delivered by a wonderful cast of bad-a** women going up against a bunch of irredeemable scumbags. Watch Savage Streets on YouTube.
11 Slapstick of Another Kind (1984)
Simple-minded and deformed twin siblings have become an embarrassment to an affluent family and have been tucked away. However, it is revealed that the kids may be gifted with supernatural powers brought on by rubbing their heads together. When the duo is separated, it starts a series of events where the two fight to reunite and ultimately learn of their bizarre origin.
We Have Made a Horrible Mistake
Slapstick of Another Kind is a more honorary B-Movie because it did get a theatrical release, but a lack of quality and a horrible box office bombing/ embarrassment has saddled the film in the “B” category. So are we saying the movie is a gem that deserves more of a chance? I mean it does star Jerry Lewis, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman, which was a stellar line-up for the era. Unfortunately, we can’t make a case for the movie; it is a train wreck.
The movie is based on a Kurt Vonnegut Jr. story, but saying they went in a different direction would be an understatement. For most of the film, Jerry Lewis and Madeline Kahn play adult babies, with baffling side plots pushed aside, including the miniature Pat Morita as a Chinese Ambassador and an impending alien invasion. It is painfully bad, with Gene Siskel calling it “the single worst movie of 1984”, and “shockingly bad, insensitive, cruel, boring, unfunny and cheaply made.” Some of us out there see that as an endorsement to check it out and see for ourselves, and Slapstick of Another Kind does not disappoint in that regard. Watch Slapstick of Another Kind on YouTube.
10 Low Blow (1986)
Private investigator Joe Wong embarks on a mission to rescue a young girl kidnapped by a religious cult after he is hired to save her. Facing off against a large group, he goes to his old friends to help build a task force, which includes a Vietnam veteran, a professional boxing champion, and a former police officer.
Cheesy Action Sure to Tickle That So-Bad-Its-Good Spot
While the previously mentioned Slapstick of Another Kind was more baffling, Low Blow offers up a more endearing ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ experience, with much of the film’s shortcomings coming from inexperience and awkward casting. Despite his martial arts abilities, lead actor Leo Fong lacks any semblance of charm or charisma, shuffling from scene to scene (and comically always doing a horrible parking job). Across from Fong is the actor Cameron Mitchell, who spends most of the film sitting down giving awkwardly cryptic dialogue to his satanic minions.
The film is not the best representation of 80s action by a long shot, but those who find themselves endeared by misguided projects will find a lot of humor here. The action sequences are also passable, but this will largely come from cheering on the somewhat schlubby hero and his weird team of misfits and less about the lack of visual flair due to obvious budgetary restrictions. Disclaimer, the film contains little in the way of the ‘low blows’ as the title would imply. Watch Low Blow on YouTube.
9 Evil Dead Trap (1988)
A late-night show host who focuses on sensational content is sent a videotape that shows a spitting image of herself being tortured. Deciding that there could be a viable story in the weird interaction, she gathers the crew and heads out to an abandoned warehouse from which the video was sent. It does not take long for chaos to break out, and the TV host finds herself relying on a mysterious stranger as her crew succumbs to a vicious killer one by one.
A Japanese Curiosa Inspired by Italian Horror
There is nothing quite like Evil Dead Trap, a film that draws heavy influence from Western movies but still keeps that bizarre approach to the horror genre that helped put Japan on the map for fans. Most curious, is the homage to Italian horror, with the kills overly gruesome yet stylish, feeling similar to how Lucio Fulci invited chaos onto the screen with long-drawn-out gore pieces.
The conclusion here is also a slight head-scratcher for those unaware of a niche micro-genre in Asian films (but we won’t spoil it for you). Ultimately, the movie is an entertaining balance of stylish horror, shocking kills, and a dash of dark humor to make for one of the wildest B-horror movies you will ever see. Watch Evil Dead Trap on YouTube.
8 Scarecrows (1988)
A group of mercenaries is forced to take a detour after an emergency landing from their hijacked plane lands them in a cornfield in an unknown town. With hostages in tow, the group tries to figure out their next steps but ends up instead finding themselves hunted by murderous scarecrows possessed by evil spirits.
’80s Monster Mayhem
While Scarecrows does fall short in some regards, it is still a standout in the genre with a wonderfully dark and dreary vibe that sees a group hunted down by gnarly-looking scarecrows. It is a slow build to get to that point, but the chaos in the second half of Scarecrows is so wonderfully over-the-top and violent that it will appeal to fans of cheesy 80s horror. These elements have made the movie a cult hit, and while it may not be as well-known among the abundance of 80s horror goodness, it is a wonderful gem with an avid fan base to back it up. Watch Scarecrows on YouTube.
7 Psycho Cop (1989)
Trying to bank off the wise-cracking killers that became popular in the ’80s, Psycho Cop follows an ultra-violent police impersonator named Joe Vickers who is ‘on a mission from Satan’ to murder anyone he perceives to be a criminal. A group of young couples becomes the cop’s latest target, turning their getaway into a nightmare as Psycho Cop chops them down one by one.
You Have the Right to Remain Silent… Forever
While not quite reaching the same infamy as other wisecracking killers, Wallace Potts’s Psycho Cop is still a wonderfully indulgent slasher that merges crass humor with over-the-top kills. The movie also fits into that entertaining niche of killer police, with the movie striking many similarities to Maniac Cop, which came out the year previously.
Still, the slasher has its high points, with Jeff Quale as Psycho Cop being an underappreciated villain of the 80s. The movie did prove successful enough to spawn a sequel, Psycho Cop Returns, which was released in 1992 and injected a bit more chaos into the series (also free to stream on YouTube). Watch Psycho Cop on YouTube.
6 Body Moves (1990)
Two rivals from different cultural and economic backgrounds start up a feud as they prepare to compete in a dance competition against each other. This includes Kevin, who gets drawn deeper into the drama after he laughs out his sister’s desires to join his troupe, only to have her fall for his rival, Rico, and become one of his star dancers.
Let’s Dance!
For a movie focused entirely on dancing and music, Body Moves lacks star power outside the main cast of dancers and has some pretty dull music numbers. Still, for those who love cheesy movies about dance like Breakin’ and its infamous follow-up, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, Body Moves is a wonderful addition to the nostalgia-soaked ’90s drama silliness around dance culture.
Also known as Hot Steps, the b-movie is the perfect mix of machismo, sweaty dancing, and teenage drama that perfectly encapsulates the vibe of early ’90s entertainment, still clinging on to some tropes of the 80s while trying awkwardly to find its own footing. Watch Body Moves on YouTube.
5 Martial Law (1991)
Two cops, Sean Thompson and Billie Blake, have made it their mission to combat crime in their city. However, when they encounter a new threat in Dalton Rhodes, involved in smuggling and skilled in martial arts, the two are pushed to their limit. With the help of Sean’s troubled brother, Michael, they are able to use him to get inside the gang activities and fight to bring him down.
Punching and Kicking in the Name of Justice
Cult action Icon Cynthia Rothrock made a name for herself in her works in Chinese cinema, with Righting Wrongs arguably giving the actor the greatest showcase for her profound talent in the genre. Still, the action star has built an impressive filmography of a**-kicking cinema that includes the free-to-watch Martial Law.
The plot is rather cookie-cutter, but the draw here is Rothrock alongside other genre standouts in David Carradine and Chad McQueen, duking it out all in the name of justice. The movie also proved popular enough to warrant a sequel in Martial Law II: Undercover, which also has a phenomenal line-up of 90s action stars, including Jeff Wincott and Billy Drago, joining Rothrock. Watch Martial Law on YouTube.
4 Fatal Bond (1992)
Hairdresser Leonie Stevens (Linda Blair) becomes romantically involved with a man named Joe Martinez (Jerome Ehlers), whom she initially falls for pretty fast in an intense relationship. As she gets to know the man, she soon suspects that he may be a serial killer. This results in their relationship turning dark and Leonie struggling to balance her investigation while staying safe.
A Dangerous Liaison
For those looking for a slight change of pace from the regular action/horror/comedy flair that takes up most of the B-movie genre, the Australian erotic thriller Fatal Bond both teases and pleases in the right way. A nice mix of murder/mystery and eroticism, the story has a dark edge that will keep viewers engaged. Of course, having cult icon Linda Blair also helps the budgeted film feel larger in scale, with her bringing the dramatic flair that fans of the actor have adored throughout her career in genre cinema. Watch Fatal Bond on YouTube.
3 The Convent (2000)
A group of college students break into an abandoned convent, which has a dark history of Satanic rituals, and a spree killer. When they come across “Satanists” attempting to call forth the demons, the college kids and goths must fight against a horde of glow-in-the-dark demons looking to bring the convent back to its previous glory.
A Hidden Gem of the Horror Comedy Genre
There is a wonderful amount of excess in The Convent, almost to the point of parodying the often-maligned ’90s era of horror that saw a stagnation and lack of outstanding titles pushing the genre forward. This includes leaving heavy on tropes and crass humor to create some of the most overtly obnoxious frat boys, dweebs, and stereotypical goths committed to the horror genre, alongside ultra-violent (and violet) practical effects.
The Convent is one of the best-underrated horror comedies to come out of the 2000s, with the satanic angle providing a lot of levity from the lame Satanists trying to summon a demon to flashbacks of demonic nuns trying to teach school girls to “hail Satan” and dishing out their own unique brand of punishment. The cast here also includes some pleasant surprises, including Coolio and Bill Mosley making short appearances as cops who like messing with the local teens, and Adrienne Barbeau, who plays a prominent part in the latter half of the film as a veteran demon slayer. Watch The Convent on YouTube.
2 Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas (2009)
A small-town band/entrepreneur team known as the Manchvegas Outlaw Society (M.O.S.) finds themselves at the forefront of an investigation around a maniacal slasher on the loose in the normally peaceful town of Manchvegas. However, the more pressing issue is whether the group leader, Marshall (Matt Farley), will finally work up the courage to ask out his long-time crush, Jenny.
Having Fun in the Summertime Even With All These Murders
While having elements of horror to push the story forward, Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas thrives as a short comedic gem built on the humor of actor Matt Farley and director Charles Roxburgh. The movie has a simple comedic charm with a slightly sinister twist from the opening music track, seeing adults celebrate summer as if they were still teens, to the awkward courting between Marshall and Jenny as they navigate a series of murders.
Running under 80 minutes, the movie does not overstay its welcome but instead tailors a rather silly homegrown comedy story that is both utterly endearing and goofy. Moreover, the film resonates with youthful energy despite its middle-aged cast; normally, adults acting younger is obnoxious, but Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas nails this aspect from the awkward dialogue to the childish pranks the trio pulls. Watch Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas on YouTube.
1 Savageland (2015)
An entire town has been wiped out, and the sole survivor, an immigrant camera enthusiast who focuses his lens on dark imagery, is put on trial for the massacre. However, as the pseudo-documentary about his crimes unravels, the horrors of what really happened that day show why the lone survivor is begging for prison and admitting guilt to escape the hell he witnessed.
An Original Take on the Zombie Genre
Savageland offers a brilliant take on crime documentaries and zombie movies to explore its various themes, including racial prejudice, conspiracy theories, and a cultural obsession with tragedy. The fake documentary also captures the modern-day sentiment of online sleuthing, slowly giving the viewer a narrative to piece together and understand the full scale of the event that happened.
The framing of a man who the viewer knows is not the killer, but he wants to see the full penalty also presents a pretty frightening starting point. Yet, the movie manages to convince its audience that the events that transpired would garner such an extreme reaction to forgoing freedom as to ensure he never comes across the same thing again. Savageland manages to construct one of the most terrifying stories, using only grainy stills, commentary, and in-depth analysis; a very impressive feat on a shoestring budget. Watch Savageland on YouTube.
