The term “blockbuster” originates from a type of bomb that could take out a large area, like a city block. These days, when you hear the term you probably think of a big-budget movie loaded with your favorite movie stars and likely riddled with special effects. When it’s released, it hits the movie market like a bomb and demolishes the competition.
What do you do if you’re a filmmaker and can’t afford to compete with a blockbuster movie? You try to ride their coattails, of course. For almost any big movie out on the market, there’s a similar movie that was made with a much, much lower budget called a mockbuster.
Mockbusters are nothing new. When “The Creature From the Black Lagoon” came out in 1954 it was a hit with audiences. The film featured a prehistoric “Gill-man” creature that takes a woman captive.
A few years later, the movie “The Monster of Piedras Blancas” hit the market. Using the same costume designer as “Black Lagoon,” this movie featured a prehistoric reptilian man-creature who eventually tries to kidnap a damsel. While it may not be a complete ripoff, “Piedras Blancas” was obviously trying to ride on the coattails of “Black Lagoon’s” success.
Let’s take a look at some more recent mockbusters that may just make you toss your popcorn.