Summer is always a good time for B movies — something that the Syfy network knows a lot about. With Sharknado 3 premiering Wednesday, we thought we'd have a look at the channel's history of airing the most ridiculous – but often fun – movies and come up with a guide to the best of the worst.
Thanks to the Sharknado trilogy, Syfy has done well in the ridiculous movie category. When the first Sharknado film premiered in 2013, it was so bad that it was good — becoming an instant hit on social media, thanks in no small part to genre actors like Wil Wheaton live-tweeting the event. Indeed, the film was such a sensation that it warranted a sequel, Sharknado 2.
Sharknado 2 was equally successful — so now we have Sharknado 3. Sharknado is now a pop culture phenomenon that has reinvigorated the careers of its stars, Ian Ziering and Tara Reid. Who knew that throwing some sharks into a weather event could blow up like this?
Prior to the triumph of Sharknado, Syfy experimented with other B movie tropes, even mixing sharks with other animals. Here's our guide to the most ridiculous films the network has given us.
Sharktopus
Believe it or not, B movie icon Roger Corman produced Sharktopus, which is, well, a movie about a shark crossed with an octopus. Created in a lab, the creature escapes and starts attacking people on the beach.
**Spoiler Alert**
They kill the sharktopus by detonating explosives embedded in its brain — ridiculous, but also awesome.
You know how they say you can't make this stuff up? Well, it seems that you can, at least if you're Syfy. Anyway, the latest in the Sharktopus installment comes out later this year: Sharktopus vs. Whale Wolf.
Pterodactyl
Pterodactyl actually predates Syfy, as it aired on the network back when it was still the Sci-Fi Channel. The movie tells the story of three hunters at the Turkish/Armenian border who suddenly get attacked by a pterodactyl, because why not? The pterodactyl starts picking them off, one by one.
Most importantly, though, Pterodactyl saw the acting premiere of rapper Coolio. Because who doesn't want to see Coolio take on prehistoric birds?
Abominable
What makes Abominable so abominable is that it seems to have its monsters mixed up. You'd think this movie was about the abominable snowman, right? But no, it's actually about Bigfoot, which makes absolutely no sense, and that's why it's made our ridiculous movie list. Interestingly enough, though, this one got 62 percent positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Alien Apocalypse
Nothing says B movie like the title Alien Apocalypse, but this movie is a must-watch just because it stars Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell. In Alien Apocalypse, Campbell plays one of a group of astronauts who have to save Earth from an alien invasion. It's completely ridiculous, but it still features Campbell uttering lines that are awfully reminiscent of his Evil Dead character, Ash. So obviously, this is a movie you don't want to miss.
Mega Piranha
What's so brilliant about Mega Piranha is that it's a parody of an actual film to hit theaters, Piranha 3D. It also starred 80s pop star Tiffany, along with Greg Brady himself, Barry Williams. Mega Piranha is about a strain of genetically engineered piranha that have escaped their laboratory in Venezuela (this seems a common theme in Syfy films). Of course, the fish go on a killing spree (because it's no fun if they don't), eventually making their way to the Florida coast.
Ice Spiders
What's scarier than spiders? Apparently, Syfy would say ice spiders — giving us a tale about giant spiders that eat people at a Utah ski resort. Starring Patrick Muldoon, Ice Spiders was so bad (or good, depending on your perspective) that it scored an incredible 16 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with audiences (critics didn't even bother reviewing it).
Chupacabra vs. The Alamo
This movie wins the ridiculous title, mostly because of its title, which is both horrible and brilliant at the same time. This film starred Erik Estrada, who plays a character investigating a series of mysterious killings around the historical site of the Alamo. It turns out that a pack of Chupacabra have run off from Mexico and traveled to San Antonio, leaving a path of blood and gore in their wake. This is not how you remember the Alamo.
Frankenfish
Here's another title that will grab you — making it clear that this isn't the latest theater blockbuster film, but something you're likely to see on late night TV. Like the piranha in Mega Piranha, Frankenfish is about genetically modified fish in the Louisiana bayou. Of course, scientists are not interested in genetically modifying fish that play nice: these fish kill everyone who comes in their path — because, apparently, that's way more fun.
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