Grind houses, also known as exploitation theaters or seedy cinemas, were a popular type of movie theatre in the 20th century. These theaters would play low-budget, B-movies that often featured violence, sex, or other taboo subjects. Some synonyms for grind houses include "shady cinemas," "sleazy theaters," and "back-alley movie houses." These terms all evoke a sense of darkness and illicit activity, making it clear that grind houses were not the types of theaters that families would frequent. Despite their seedy reputation, grind houses played an important role in the film industry, allowing independent filmmakers to distribute their work and providing a platform for unconventional storytelling.