Most weird films come from the independent world, not Hollywood, because the stranger the movie, the less likely it will be successful. I have seen plenty of weird films, some good and some terrible. Here are five movies that I believe have a unique place in cinema.
Un Chien Andalou (1929)
What happens when you pair the minds of Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali together? You get a twenty-one-minute film of bizarre, surreal imagery. Despite the fact Un Chien Andalou seems like a bunch of random segments all thrown together, with no clear story, there is an art to the film. It can be watched on YouTube, so whenever you have spare twenty minutes, you know what to do.
Eraserhead (1977)
You might never figure out the story or the message Eraserhead is trying to convey, but the nightmarish and captivating visuals are enough to put a stamp on any unanswered question. I don’t think David Lynch ever explains anything in his films. With Eraserhead, he practically laughs in our faces, as he makes it so intentionally ambiguous. It’s overall a great film.
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Being John Malkovich is so far out there that it treads a fine line between genius and stupidity. I back the former because the film’s concept is so inventive. No other mind other than Charlie Kaufman’s could have come up with it. The only not-so weird thing about the film is the title. It’s a good description of the story, which is about a puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers a portal leading into the mind of John Malkovich. It’s a head-trip comedy that’s well-worth a watch.
The Lobster (2015)
The Lobster is like a rom-com enthusiasts’ worst nightmare. There’s no easy sentiment here about love and relationships, but instead, the film provides a satirical commentary about the societal pressure of finding a romantic partner. This is what I personally gathered from it in any case. It stars Colin Farrell as David, who moves into a hotel where singles are given 45 days to find a partner, otherwise face being turned into animals. It’s such a strange premise, but the idea is brilliant. Cynics will love the film. Romantics will loathe it.
Click to read full review of The Lobster
Swiss Army Man (2016)
I could talk about Swiss Army Man all day long and still find something new to say. It is one of the strangest films I have ever seen, but I adored everything about it. I’ve got Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan to thank for conjuring up such an unusual film about a depressed man and a dead body.
Swiss Army Man is very divisive and that’s one of the best things about it. Some viewers will think it’s stupid and juvenile, others will just flat-out hate it, but those who share my quirky appetite will love it. The film is impossible to categorise. I believe it’s one of the most truly original film’s cinema has offered us.
Click to read full review of Swiss Army Man
If this list encourages you to see any of these films, watch them with an open-mind and good luck – you’re going to need it!
Motion Picture Blog 
I am a huge fan of experimental cinema, so I love weird! Un Chien Andalou is one of my favourites, as is Meshes of the Afternoon.
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Fantastic list. I am a romantic in a way and I absolutely loved the Lobster. I think there is share of romance there and it is felt – but in a deluded, thought-provoking unconventional way. I also agree with you on the originality and divisiveness of Swiss Army Man; it is definitely a movie to watch to get anyone out of their cinematic comfort zone.
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Thanks. I guess there is a fair bit of romance in the Lobster, but I think it looks at it in a cynical way.
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Well, that maybe…unless of course you interpret the ending differently, and THEN, it may be the most romantic of movie endings…
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Nice list, Liam! I’m definitely a fan of weird movies like those (though unfortunately I’ve only seen Swiss Army Man on that list!), especially given the glut of unoriginal ideas and franchises clogging up Hollywood these days. I don’t care if it doesn’t make sense in the end- I just want to see something different! 😛
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I’m always on the look out for ‘different’ films. You should be sure to check out the other films on the list.
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Totally loved last year’s Swiss Army Man, but I found the Lobster soooooooo pretentious. I could only handle bits and pieces of it, and I’m no romantic 😉 Great post! I really need to see Eraserhead…
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Yeah it is a bit pretentious and the second half of the film goes a bit downhill, but I still liked it. You should definitely watch Eraserhead.
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Awesome post! I have not yet seen Swiss Army Man or The Lobster, but they are definitely on my list. I LOVE Being John Malkovich – a mind trip for sure but so creative. Eraserhead = totally confusing and uncomfortable, but that is the essence of David Lynch. Un Chien Andalou was very interesting and groundbreaking for its time for sure.
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Great list, but not as crazy as some might think. For example, both The Lobster (2015) and Swiss Army Man (2016) are highly coherant absurdist dystopian films with much to say about modern society, as I’ve explained in my reviews.
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Yeah I talked about The Lobster being an absurdist in my review of it too. They’re intentionally weird to make a point a about society as you say.
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Some of my favourite films on here! I love all of them. Early surrealist films are fascinating
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Yep, they are indeed. What’s your favourite of the bunch?
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Of the old surrealist films? The Life and Death of 9413. I’m fascinated by the dark side of Hollywood so that’s probably why
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