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Some of the worst movies are also beloved by a select few

Date published: 11/20/2009

Millions of people every year flock to the movie theaters. They go to be thrilled, scared, tickled and, most importantly, moved. But when a movie comes out that is so bad, so appalling, so utterly gross in style and structure, it must be placed on a shelf away from all the other movies. These metaphorical shelves are what we call the "bad movies lists."

These movies, though labeled as bad, can also be a good thing. Most of the following films are loved by small groups of people, who enjoy watching horrible films. To many, these films are called "cult classics." So sit back and appreciate our list of the best of the worst.

--Alex Van Horn

'XANADU'

If "Grease" was the movie that jump-started Olivia Newton-John's career, then "Xanadu" was the movie that killed it.

In 1980 "Xanadu" was released, a musical about a Greek muse springing alive from a mural to inspire a struggling artist to open a roller disco. In a shocking plot twist, they fall in love.

The ridiculous nature of this film, coupled with the fact that disco was on its way out by 1980 made this a box-office flop. The movie is filled with bizarre and surreal glowing edges, and other special effects that make it feel like you've popped a couple of hallucinogens.

The movie also includes a random scene where the characters turn into animated fish and frogs for a song, as well as often out-of-sync audio in a tap dancing number where Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John never once actually tap at the same time as the dubbed clicking. This movie is a must-see if only to realize how trippy the '70s were.

--Elliott Hay

'INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL'

After the first three Indiana Jones movies, the fourth Indiana Jones movie, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," had big shoes to fill.

Indiana Jones and his newly found son decide to rescue a scientist. They put on a display of heroics only to find that KGB has captured the professor.

The Soviets then force Indiana and the professor to find a fabled city of gold.

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Date published: 11/20/2009