Tromeo & Juliet

Set in a neon drenched Manhattan underworld, a hotheaded street kid named Tromeo falls for Juliet, a fierce young woman who refuses to play by anyone's rules. Their bond collides with a carnival of gore, sexual humor, and outrageous stunts as they navigate a world where punk clubs mingle with bizarre villains. This is not a faithful retelling but a wild collage that blends romance, fantasy, horror and comedy with a deliberately anarchic energy. Characters slip in and out of Shakespearean archetypes while the story careens through clubs, alleys and kinetic pranks that only a Troma production could dream up. No spoilers. The tone stays audacious and the visuals push the boundary of indie cinema throughout its runtime.

Directed by Lloyd Kaufman for the Troma team, Tromeo and Juliet reimagines Shakespeare with a punk underground sensibility and a budget of 350000 dollars. It arrived in 1996 as a cheeky low budget riff that leans into camp energy overall.

Over the years this film has become a cult marker for the era of gonzo micro budget cinema. It helped launch James Gunn's career behind the scenes and stands as a signature example of Lloyd Kaufman's fearless approach to transgressive humor, shaping cult discourse. Fans still quote its wild lines.

Critics offered mixed takes on its crude looks and aggressive tone, yet fans embraced its unapologetic folly. The film treats romance as a bold dare, pairing Shakespearean bravado with gore filled comedy and culture pastiche. Its themes revolve around desire, rebellion and the commodified dream of America in the 1990s.

Box office numbers for this title are not widely published. As a low budget cult item released by a niche distributor, it attracted a small but loyal audience rather than mainstream box office success, gaining a devoted home video following and enduring fan discussions.