Films these days often have their success measured by their box-office earnings. If they flop, whether due to poor marketing, stiff competition, or bad critical reception, they’re unlikely to have a future. However, every now and again, you have a film that absolutely bombs at the box office, only to rise up years later with a dedicated fan base. We deem these films cult classics.
Over the years, there have been numerous cult films that have started out from nothing. Some of these films have even gone on to exceed their highest hopes, achieving international recognition that they never would have had if not for the boost in popularity that comes from cult status.
Click through the following gallery to find out which of these film flops became cult classics. You’re sure to be shocked!
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‘Empire Records’ (1995)
You can’t get much more cult than a film about an independent record store. The film took home a small fraction of its budget when it was originally released, but became so adored that special editions were released in 2003 and 2015.
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‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
This movie has passed from box-office bomb, to cult favorite, to Christmas classic. The only reason it hit the mainstream was because the copyright had ended, so TV networks used it for free during the holiday season. Now it’s a staple!
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‘Office Space’ (1999)
While people didn’t seem to want to see ‘Office Space’ in theaters, they sure wanted to rent it on DVD. The hilarious look at office life is now considered a must-see comedy.
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‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Based on the novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ ‘Blade Runner’ originally was buried at the box office, despite the presence of Harrison Ford. But over the years it’s distinguished itself as a great film in its own right, and has since generated a successful sequel.
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‘Heathers’ (1989)
Despite being a low-budget film (US$3 million), ‘Heathers’ gained less than half of that back at the box office. But with the rising star power of its leading lady, Winona Ryder, it has become both a cult classic, a musical, and later a TV series.
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‘Dazed and Confused’ (1993)
Despite positive critical reviews, ‘Dazed and Confused’ did not do well at the box office. But with time, audiences started to root for this underdog movie, and it’s now seen as a ’90s classic.
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‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)
‘Donnie Darko’ had little marketing before its release, due to scenes of plane crashes right after September 11. However, much like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ it gained a midnight show, and then eventually a cult following.
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‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)
Now with one of the largest cult followings of all time, not to mention its own religion and festival, ‘The Big Lebowski’ only brought in US$5.5 million on opening weekend.
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‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
You might be shocked to see such a classic on this list, but ‘The Wizard of Oz’ barely made enough money to cover its budget. However after its re-release, it started to gain traction. Now it’s considered a classic piece of cinema!
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‘The Room’ (2003)
This movie was a cult film long before it became the basis of the Hollywood success ‘The Disaster Artist.’ A bust when it came out, it has become one of the quintessential so-bad-it’s-good films.
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‘Fight Club’ (1996)
Despite the star protagonists, including Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter, this movie did very poorly when it first hit theaters. However after it was released on DVD, the audience praise (and money) came rolling in.
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‘Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)
Yet another film that went from a flop, to having a cult following, to being considered one of the greatest films of all time. At the box office it barely cleared its budget of US$25 million, but over the years viewers have recognized its greatness.
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‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010)
A unique film, ‘Scott Pilgrim’ got back a little more than half of its budget at the box office. However once it came out on DVD, audiences started to fall for the graphic-novel influenced film with the killer soundtrack.
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‘Barbarella’ (1968)
A young Jane Fonda starred in this mix of sci-fi, adventure, and comedy. At the time it was panned by critics, though articles today largely discuss its impact as it relates to sexual empowerment and utopian goodness.
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‘Mallrats’ (1995)
After the success of ‘Clerks,’ many thought that this film fell flat in comparison. However this Kevin Smith movie can still credit its cult following to the director’s legion of fans.
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‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)
With a limited release, the movie was taken out of theaters due to low interest. However once the midnight showings started, people began coming out of the woodwork. Now the interactive showings are played in numerous theaters around Halloween.
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‘Showgirls’ (1995)
Ripped apart by critics, the film made back less than half of its US$45 million budget. However its campy nature thrust it into the so-bad-it’s-good genre, where it now sits happily as a cult film.
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‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)
Many would agree that the 1971 ‘Willy Wonka’ film is a bit trippy. Gene Wilder’s eccentric character, the saturated scenery, and the unique take on the Oompa Loompas were a bust at the box office, leading Paramount to let the rights expire. But Warner Bros. scooped it up, and now it’s gone from a cult film to a family favorite.
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‘Harold and Maude’ (1971)
This unconventional film was a lot for viewers to take in, and critics panning the film didn’t help. However, years later it became yet another film to achieve cult status due to midnight screenings.
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‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)
This Disney film didn’t benefit from a whole lot of ticket sales. Instead, audiences became hooked after seeing it replayed on TV networks every Halloween, and eventually invested in VHS and DVD copies. Now the film is a campy Halloween classic.
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‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959)
Given the title “worst movie ever,” ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ is the epitome of so-bad-it’s-good cinema. A mix of sci-fi and horror, the film was remastered in the 2000s, to audiences’ delight.
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‘The Boondock Saints’ (1999)
Nothing describes this movie better than its rating juxtaposition on Rotten Tomatoes: 25% from critics, and over 90% from audiences. With a very limited release, the film really hit its stride with DVD sales.
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‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002)
Starring Robin Williams and Edward Norton, this dark comedy bombed in every sense when it came out. However, it was later discovered by those with a penchant for bleak comedic storytelling, and they have since made the movie a cult hit.
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‘The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai’ (1984)
You likely haven’t even heard of this movie. This low-rung sci-fi film earned less than a million dollars from the box office, potentially due to its competition, such as ‘Ghostbusters.’ However with performances from John Lithgow and Jeff Goldblum, is it any wonder this film became a cult classic?
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‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998)
Despite the star power from Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, this movie only made US$10.6 million of an $18.5 million budget. But its low critical rating and high rate of audience appreciation have granted it cult status.
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‘Brazil’ (1985)
Terry Gilliam strikes again! In addition to ‘Fear and Loathing,’ Gilliam also directed this cult classic. The anti-establishment motif helps it to blend right into its cult-film peers.
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‘Clue’ (1985)
This film may have brought the board game to life, but it certainly didn’t bring people to the theater. However, the interesting caveat of three different endings and the over-the-top acting and dialogue have endeared to fans just the same.
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‘Big Trouble in Little China’ (1986)
Even the presence of Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall couldn’t save the box-office earnings of this film. However, the over-the-top martial arts and gun fights have brought this flick to indie screens again and again.Â
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‘Vertigo’ (1958)
While this Hitchcock film might not have been as well appreciated when it came out, likely due to audience’s comparing it to ‘Psycho,’ it has certainly gained traction with a cult (and now mainstream) following.
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‘Matilda’ (1996)
The humorous take on an adorable children’s book, ‘Matilda’ came in under budget despite critical praise. Now it’s become a musical, and has gained cult status.
