Cult movies have a special place in cinema, often flying under the radar during their initial release but gaining a dedicated following over time. These films may not have been box office hits, but they resonate deeply with fans, becoming timeless classics in their own right.
Here, we celebrate those cinematic treasures. Let's explore ten essential cult movies that have not only stood the test of time but have also carved out a special place in the hearts of movie lovers everywhere.
Harold and Maude is a quirky tale where 19-year-old Harold, who enjoys staging his own fake suicides as a form of expression, develops a deep romantic connection with 79-year-old Maude, who plans to conclude her life when she turns 80. When it hit theaters in 1971, this unusual love story didn't just flop; it was downright panned, with Vincent Canby from The New York Times describing it as "unsettling".
Fast forward to over a decade later, the film's writer, Colin Higgins, saw his UCLA thesis project finally gain appreciation. It turns out, some theaters in the U.S. kept their copies of the film, and over time, they started showing it to a new generation of film-savvy students. This grassroots revival helped Harold and Maude evolve from a commercial failure to a beloved cult classic.
Eric Idle teamed up with Lorne Michaels, the mind behind SNL, to create a spoof that takes a playful jab at Beatlemania. When it first aired on American TV, it didn't catch on, but over time, it's turned into a kind of insider's nod among die-hard comedy lovers.
While not exactly subtle, the parody includes a bit about one of the members allegedly dying and being replaced by a stand-in. The songs like ‘Yellow Submarine Sandwich’ and ‘I Am the Waitress’ are hilariously silly, much like Weird Al’s work.
Alex Cox's Repo Man is the quintessential cult classic. It's a bizarre and funny science fiction film. The movie follows Emilio Estevez, a young man who gets a job repossessing cars. He finds something strange in one of the cars he repossesses. The movie is full of weird humor and has a message against the government. The movie has become more popular over the years because of its punk rock soundtrack.
The Hidden is where science fiction meets action with a dash of comedy, a recipe that should have made it a massive hit. It brilliantly captures the essence of 80s cinema. The film features a body-swapping alien criminal on a wild rampage, pursued by an alien cop posing as a Fed and a human cop played by Michael Nouri.
Due to budget constraints, the film opts for simplicity in its visual effects, which means the alien threat remains largely unseen. This budgetary decision ends up enhancing the film by focusing more on the chemistry between the seasoned human cop and the peculiar alien lawman portrayed by Kyle Maclachlan. It's brisk, enjoyable, and still seeking the appreciation it deserves. Although it had a decent run at the box office relative to its cost, it's been slowly but surely attracting more viewers.
The plot feels simple at first: A guy meets a girl, sparks fly, but she leaves. But then, the guy accidentally overhears a phone call warning of a looming nuclear strike on the city. As news of the strike spreads, he conducts a frantic search throughout the night, determined to find her before it is too late.
Anthony Edwards plays our relatable, everyman hero, a refreshingly unconventional choice, just like Mare Winningham. The film’s setting—an almost surreal Los Angeles at night—adds to the urgency, with the story unfolding over just a few tense hours.
Sadly, not enough people have seen Miracle Mile, which is unfortunate because it’s a gem that deserves more attention.
While Heathers is now often compared to Clueless, Mean Girls, and Jawbreaker, its unapologetically mean streak was too alienating for audiences when it first came out in 1989. The film, starring Winona Ryder, initially struggled to find its audience. However, Ryder’s rise to fame in the following decade, with roles in films like Edward Scissorhands, Little Women, and Girl, Interrupted, helped boost Heathers' popularity.
The growing appetite for more realistic and scathing examinations of high school life also contributed to its cult status. Today, with a musical adaptation, a small-screen version, and even talks of a sequel, Heathers continues to reign.
Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused is a delightful coming-of-age comedy that has captured the hearts and minds of countless fans with its authentic portrayal of teen life in the 1970s. The film's ensemble cast of future stars, including Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, and Ben Affleck, breathes life into its memorable characters, delivering a relatable and nostalgic experience.
Its laid-back narrative structure and memorable soundtrack contribute to the film's unique charm, setting it apart from other teen movies of its era. The cult status of Dazed and Confused can be seen in its continued popularity and influence on contemporary filmmakers, as well as thematic continuation in Linklater's spiritual sequel, Everybody Wants Some!
Clerks is a movie that started a new trend of independent films in the 1990s. It was made on a very small budget and used actors who were not very experienced. The movie is basically about a group of friends talking about movies, comic books, and their lives. It has been very influential and has changed the way people talk about pop culture.
Mike Judge's Office Space has become a sacred text for anyone who has worked in a call center environment. Ron Livingston delivers a career-best performance as a slacker IT worker who is hypnotized to not care about his job or his life. Amazingly, it works out so well for him that he finds a new girlfriend, gets a huge promotion, and becomes instantly happier. Filled with memorable characters like Bill Lumbergh and Michael Bolton, Office Space is one of the funniest films about the drudgery of modern life.
Wet Hot American Summer is a playful nod to 1980s teen comedies, created by members of a sketch troupe that gained a cult following in the '90s. It introduced many faces that would become iconic in 2000s comedy, including Bradley Cooper. Initially, only fans of MTV’s The State, where co-writers David Wain and Michael Showalter were prominent, paid much attention. However, the early appearances of Amy Poehler, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper have since boosted its reputation.
The film was revived on Netflix with two limited series in 2015 and 2017. While absurdist humor has become more mainstream, this movie's unique brand of silliness still stands out. It remains a special connection among comedy enthusiasts; if you appreciate it, you truly understand its charm.
