Offering a massive catalog of free films to watch, navigating Tubi can be a bit overwhelming for those unsure of what they want to watch for their next movie night. The impressive mix of blockbuster, classic, and indie films can only complicate the search, especially when entering the realm of lower-budgeted films (B-movies).
This is an unfortunate truth, especially considering that B movies offer some of the most unique, explosive, entertaining, or downright bizarre viewing experiences you will find. To help you navigate Tubi’s impressive selection of B-movies, we have highlighted 22 of the best to start you down the rabbit hole. We have included a wide range of genres to make sure there is something here for everyone.
‘Mad Max’ (1979)
Police officer Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) seeks revenge after his wife and child are brutally murdered by a vicious biker gang who are roaming a dystopian Australia looking for victims. Max dons his police uniform and heads into the outback to hunt down the biker gang and find redemption for his family.
The Origins of Mad Max
While Mad Max would become a hit blockbuster franchise, the original film is often overlooked, given its more stripped-back and less action-heavy story. However, the first film proves vastly insightful for the world that George Miller would look to build for the wanderer of the Australian Wasteland, and its gritty, revenge-focused story is perfect fodder for its B-movie aesthetic. Mad Max is also notable as Mel Gibson’s first leading role in a feature film.
‘Road Games’ (1981)
A laid-back American truck driver, Pat (Stacey Keach), going through South Australia, begins to suspect that a green van on the same route as him is responsible for a series of murders of young women. This leads him to pick up a hitchhiker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, who becomes an ally in trying to capture the killer. As the police investigate, Pat becomes a suspect, given his profession, nationality, and route, mimicking that of the green van.
An Engaging Game of Cat-and-Mouse
If the phenomenal pairing of the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis and Stacey Keach is not enough to draw your interest, the suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse in the Australian outback should seal the deal. In addition, the movie has slasher elements, with many of the kills being shot in a stylistic, almost giallo-esque fashion. The Australian boom of horror/thriller movies in the ’80s is often overlooked in cinema; thankfully, Road Games is readily available to check out on Tubi, highlighting some of the phenomenal horror/thrillers the country had to offer.
‘Pieces’ (1982)
Pieces begins with the eerie foreshadowing of a ten-year-old killing his mother and severing her limbs with an ax. Flash forward forty years, and a series of similar incidents is happening on a Boston campus. A killer is targeting co-eds and stealing their parts. The police send in Lt. Bracken posing as the campus tennis coach. Along with another student, the two begin to investigate the murders to catch the killer.
Red Herrings Galore
Despite its American slasher focus, Pieces is a Spanish feature that also draws influence from the Italian approach to the genre. This creates an odd mismatch of stylistic choices, though this is only the start of the ‘issues’ with the movie. There are a lot of nonsensical non-sequiturs, baffling creative choices, and awkward dialogue. However, none of that matters when the weird mix becomes immensely entertaining in its absurdity. Add in the fact that the slasher moments are particularly gory, and it will be the perfect fit for fans of ’80s horror.
‘Runaway Nightmare’ (1982)
Ralph and Jason, two Nevada Worm Wranglers, find themselves kidnapped by a group of women who are planning to steal plutonium from the mafia. As the two get to know the women better, they become part of their satanic cult, get recruited to steal the plutonium, and become unlikely heroes in their bizarre adventures.
The Worm Wrangling Life Ain’t Easy
While having the perfect formula to make a so-bad-it’s-good feature, with stuntman Mike Cartel acting as writer, director, editor, and starring in a first-time feature, the movie transcends that label into something much more preposterous. Runaway Nightmare feels like it was written by an alien trying to comprehend human language and emotions; the delivery of everything is off, the film’s flow is confusing, and the plot is a mix of genres and themes. That said, it is a rather beautiful mess for those looking for unique cinematic experiences. Mike Cartel, in particular, is one of the most peculiar heroes put to film, with his deadpan delivery of everything going on despite the remarkable circumstances around him.
‘Blood Beat’ (1983)
A young couple, Sarah and Ted, visit Ted’s parents in a rural home in Wisconsin for Christmas to introduce Sarah to the particular matriarch. Met with instant disregard, the awkward Christmas gathering turns horrific when an ancient samurai summoned by repressed desires manifests in the home and starts attacking people.
Psychic Battles and Samurai Slaying for Christmas
Blood Beat is that perfect mash-up of psychedelia, eroticism, telekinetic chaos, and samurai slayings you did not know you needed in your life; plus, it fits in with Christmas horror viewing. The only movie ever from director Fabrice-Ange Zaphiratos, the film was buried for decades until getting a re-release and remaster that allowed this odd gem to shine. Blood Beat’s many facets may be too silly for some, but it is worth checking out for those who like more ‘out there’ horror cinema with a slightly gritty aesthetic.
‘Brain Damage’ (1988)
After Brian finds a mysterious talking parasite, he forms a dependent relationship with the bizarre creature. Using a hallucinogenic substance, the parasite known as Aylmer forces Brian to kill others for their brains, all under the promise of maintaining the flow of the highly addictive psychedelic serum. As Brian’s friends and girlfriend try to save him, the intense dependency may make it too late for the now-addicted man.
A Killer Addiction
Taking place on the seedy side of New York’s 32nd Street, Frank Henenlotter’s Brain Damage is a wonderfully gritty body horror film with a crass edge. The movie also nails dark comedy, primarily due to the voice acting talents of late-night TV host Zacherley, otherwise known as the ‘Cool Ghoul’, playing Aylmer. While maybe not as well known as Henenlotter’s Basket Case (also on Tubi), Brain Damage edges out our choice thanks to the experimental cinematography that makes for some sharp visuals, including an unforgettable climax.
‘Deadbeat at Dawn’ (1988)
Gangleader Goose finally leaves his gang to start a new life with his girlfriend. However, after a rival gang murders her and Goose is left alone, he begins to spiral into addiction and self-hatred. With nothing left to lose, he is brought back into the fold of crime for one last heist, unaware of it being a set-up by a rival.
Violence in the Streets
Jim Van Bebber’s Deadbeat at Dawn may very well be the most brutal indie movie ever made, chock-full of action and violence taking place in a gentrified city full of nihilists and killers. There are some utterly nihilistic lines of dialogue, a sad portrait of addiction and self-destruction, and realistic spurts of violence. It can be a lot, but fans who love their action as gritty as possible will vibe with the cult classic that is Deadbeat at Dawn.
‘The Boneyard’ (1991)
Retired agent/psychic Alley Oates is approached by her ex-partner when there is a case involving the murder of children and possible cult activity. Broken from years of using her powers and seeing horrors, Alley hesitates, but after having visions of the kids, she decides she must help. This brings them to a morgue for her to read the deceased bodies for clues, but when the kids come back from the dead, it becomes a fight for survival.
Terrors in the Budget Morgue
The Boneyard is one of those movies that demands patience. The first half is a failed comedy with drama elements that are, at best, serviceable. However, once things kick into gear, the movie becomes quite the sensational zombie film with some of the most gnarly undead designs ever committed to screen. Given the supernatural nature of the curse that extends to others, The Boneyard also presents audiences with a giant transformed zombie poodle, a striking vision of practical effect wizardry.
‘Skinner’ (1993)
While appearing to be the perfect gentleman, Dennis Skinner (Ted Raimi) hides a dark side to his personality that has turned him into a serial killer. Heading out in the night in search of sex workers, he becomes a menacing figure in the seedy underbelly of urban decay. He also has to contend with an ex-victim hunting him down, and the misguided affections of his newest flatmate, who does not realize the danger of getting close to the ‘Skinner.’
The Streets Are Not Safe
While the curious cast, which includes Ted Raimi, Ricki Lake, and Traci Lords, may scream cheesy B-movie goodness, Ivan Nagy’s Skinner certainly falls on cinema’s darker and more exploitative side. The image of Raimi as Dennis Skinner running through the derelict streets with a bag of knives hunting women is terrifying enough, yet when he finally dons his human skin suit and continues his rampage, things go from disturbing to intensely terrifying. It is a grim gem of a film that won’t be to everyone’s taste, but is worth it for those seeking just that.
‘L.A. Wars’ (1994)
Disgraced police officer Jake Quinn gets a second chance when he is tasked with infiltrating one of two gangs that are in the midst of a violent war. As the two gangs battle for supremacy in the drug trade in L.A., Jake becomes close with his new boss’s daughter, drawing the ire of another gang member vying for her affection. This relationship proves to be the downfall of both gangs, and Jake finds himself battling against gang members from both sides as they all vie for power.
This Cop Does Not Play by the Rules
The plot of LA Wars is nothing special, with the copy-paste of “cop that does not play by rules” vs drug cartel being done to death throughout the ’90s. However, the movie is one of the most entertaining in the genre, landing perfectly in that ‘so-bad-its-good’ spot thanks to its silly dialogue and over-the-top interactions, particularly with the unhinged protagonist Jake Quinn (Vince Murdocco). At the same time, the movie still delivers some thrilling moments of action (and countless shootouts), making it the perfect combo of cheese and machismo.