Sometimes a horror movie will be cruising along good, and all of a sudden…it happens. You encounter a moment where you need to pause, sit up, and say “What the actual F*CK?”

There really are thousands of moments like this to choose from, and some of the movies on this list are head-scratchers from start to finish. For now, I’ve decided to start small and pick just SOME of the Most Memorable WTF Moments in Horror Films. (Part 1)

Pieces – “Baaaastard!!!”

“Pieces” is about a very troubled man that kills coeds with a chainsaw in order to create a twisted jigsaw puzzle using their corpses. It’s classy stuff, but just like the tagline even states, “It’s exactly what you think it is!”

Naturally, a sleazy, early 80’s slasher like this has several WTF moments. But Linda Day George serves up a masterclass in over-acting at one point that will have you rewinding several times in amazement. To her credit, the guy IS quite the bastard.

But, is it any good?: Fans of trashy 80’s cheese should definitely give it a look.

Troll 2 – “Oh my Goooooooodddd!”

I’ve already talked about Troll 2 in an earlier list, and honestly if you still haven’t seen it, you should make an effort to change that NOW. The entire film is an exercise in WTF moments. There’s sensual popcorn, kids peeing on dinner, ghost Grandpas…the whole thing is a smorgasbord of surreal wackiness. However, my favorite moment involves the classic “performance” of Darren Ewing during a goblin…feast…thing.

Unless I was falling off a cliff, I can’t imagine ever saying “oh my god” like that for any reason. Or maybe if I were reenacting that scene with the steamroller from “Austin Powers”? (More on steamrollers later)

But, is it any good?: It’s bad in the best way possible.

Silent Night Deadly Night 2 – “Garbage Day”

Unlike “Troll 2”, “Silent Night Deadly Night 2” doesn’t need to be watched by anyone. It aggressively sucks ass, plain and simple. Luckily, the film does have one classic moment in its infamous “Garbage Day” scene. No matter how you look at it, it’s beautifully odd, and I find myself watching it repeatedly just to…”absorb” it.

Why does he shake his head like that? For that matter, how about those eyebrows??

How did that guy not see that preppy lunatic standing right in front of him? Was he THAT focused on taking out his trash?

I have so many questions regarding this 20 second clip…and I laugh every time I watch it.

But, is it any good?: No. Most of the film is stock footage from part 1, and you’ll generally feel grimy after watching it.

Sleepwalkers – No Vegetables, No Dessert



Based on an original screenplay by Stephen King, “Sleepwalkers” is a story about a mother/son team of were-cats on a thirst for blood in a small Indiana town. Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this one, but I do remember it being less scary and more…unpleasant. The mother and son have a strange incestuous relationship, and the film is always begging for some comic relief.

Enter: The Corn.

At one point near the end of the film, the crazed mother actually stabs a man in the back with an ear of corn. It isn’t even fashioned into a stake. She just ends his life with a blunt, cooked, ear of corn. There’s even a Schwarzenegger-style one-liner afterwards. Awesome.

But, is it any good?: It’s perfectly watchable, but it sits in mediocrity like MANY other 90’s horror films.

Deadly Friend – Telekinetic Basketball



“Deadly Friend” is, by most accounts, one of Wes Craven’s lesser films. It’s a sci-fi/horror that was plagued during production with reshoots, re-edits, and producer interference. All of that drama resulted in the critical and financial failure of a forgotten piece of 80’s horror.

Fortunately, there is the infamous basketball scene. It’s one of the most hilarious horror deaths imaginable. Whether its Mrs. Fratelli’s extended scream or the dwarf trying to escape her mannequin corpse, the entire sequence is WTF greatness.

But, is it any good?: It really isn’t THAT bad. While certainly not one of Craven’s best, it has enough going for it to develop cult status.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 – Might As Well Dance



“A Nightmare on Elm Street 2” is, to put it lightly, a lot different than the original. Without going into much detail, it has been described as the “gayest horror film of all-time”, and has since become a cult film for modern gay audiences.

…?

Despite all the homo-erotic undertones, the film remains (mostly) watchable…I think. Well, except for all the stuff in the showers with the gay leather gym teacher.

Yep. You read that right.

Anyway, the FUNNY cringe worthy moment shows up during an unnecessary room-cleaning dance sequence. Keep in mind, this guy is our protagonist. It’s hard to root for him after that…butt nudge…move.

Is it any good?: This film followed one of the most famous (and preceded one of the most underrated) horror films of all-time. It truly is the oddball of the entire franchise due to its bizarre nature. For genre fans, it’s required viewing. Casual viewers can probably skip it, though.

Maximum Overdrive – Little League Massacre

Finally, we have “Maximum Overdrive”, a film that was written/directed by Stephen King during the peak of his cocaine and booze (among other things) intake. It certainly shows, and it makes for another film that would qualify as “entirely WTF”.

The plot eventually concerns a handful of strangers in a diner that have to fight off murderous, self-driving trucks. But before we even get to THAT, we are treated to this surreal massacre at a little league game…with kids and all.

It’s so brutal and unexpected that you can’t help but laugh. I wonder if King had to be talked out of showing a flattened Looney Tune kid afterward. It really wouldn’t surprise me.

Is it any good?: It’s as laughable as its legacy suggests, but it’s a pretty good time. Stephen King has described it as a “moron movie”. It might be, but that’s what makes it fun.

Can you think of any other memorable WTF moments in horror? Let us know in the comments!

HPC.