The term Z movie or grade-Z movie began to be used in the mid-1960s to describe films that were not A films. It was later used to describe films that were considerably lower quality and originality than B and C films, but were produced at a similarly low budget.

B movies, made on very low budgets, not “A-list”, with relatively lesser-known actors, were creative enough to inspire today’s films despite their low budgets. With their successful use of lighting, atmosphere, creative camera angles, and some characteristic technical features, their value was understood long after their time and they influenced mainstream works. B movies also presented talented actors with a chance to become A movie stars. For example, Jack Nicholson and John Wayne started their careers in B movies.

In Z movies, it is not possible to see any trace of talent. Like B movies, they are shot on very low budgets, maybe even lower, but they have no artistic or cinematic value. The scripts are often ridiculously bad, there is a break in the continuity of the film. The cast is usually made up of non-professional actors. (daha&helliip;)