10 Best Cult Classic Movies Ever

10 Best Cult Classic Movies Ever

So, what defines a “cult classic” movie? Are they simply classic films that have gained immediate popularity or are those “misfit” films whose fanbase is much smaller, but highly dedicated? We are going to go with the latter and say that to fall into the “cult classic” territory, these films are not box office success stories. Some of these might even be box office failures but have struck the right nerve with a specific population.

We have found the 10 best cult classic movies ever.

10. Harold and Maude (1971)

Harold and Maude just may be the dictionary definition of “cult classic.” So, get this. For those of you who have not heard of this film, it stars a young Bud Cort as Harold and screen legend Ruth Gordon as Maude. As the story goes, Harold is obsessed with death and during a funeral, he meets up with 79-year-old Maude. They first discover a similar hobby, which turns into a friendship, which eventually turns into a romance. As Maude is on her way out, Harold is finally “living” for the first time. Some may get a creepy vibe from the story while others call it a cult classic.

9. The Room (2003)

This cult classic was written, produced, directed, and starred Tommy Wiseau. It may be pointless to attempt to describe the premise of the film, suffice it to say, it is scatterbrained at best. Perhaps this is what has turned this horribly horrible film into the cult classic it is today. Wiseau completed his film with a $6 million budget, bringing in a mere $1,916 during its release. Somehow, The Room has a following.

8. Eraserhead (1977)

Eraserhead is the very first feature film creation from director David Lynch, who eventually will become known for films like Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man, Wild at Heart, and the hit television series, Twin Peaks. Somehow, this first film of his has gained cult classic status as it tells the story of a man (Jack Nance) who is left to care for his horribly deformed child. Right? The movie gained its status by playing at midnight movies across the country.

7. Repo Man (1984)

Repo Man, it should be noted, that when it was first released, was actually a critical success. The film, now considered to be a cult classic, stars Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean-Stanton as Repo Men who find out that one of the cars they are after is actually a connection to extraterrestrial life. The film was not a box office success and didn’t gain notoriety until it found a second and third life in the video market.

6. The Princess Bride (1987)

You might not believe this, but when Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride was first released, it wasn’t even close to being a financial success. But the film, which had Cary Elwes as Westley and Robin Wright as Buttercup, eventually found a following. The home video market turned this “forgettable” film into one of the move beloved cult classics on record.

5. Fight Club (1999)

It is hard to fathom that this David Fincher film was not a commercial success when it first hit the Movieplex. It starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and the late Meat Loaf (and like a Bat Out of Hell, we will hear from him again) in a film that was controversial in nature with its underground fight club. But like all films on this list, time is the great equalizer, and cult classic became the reward.

4. Donnie Darko (2001)

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Donnie Darko, a young man who somehow avoids a terrible accident by sleepwalking. While awake, he continues to have visions of a man in a rabbit suit that convinces him to commit a series of crimes. Strange, yes, very. The film missed the mark its first time out, but over the years has since gained a solid fan base and has become a cult classic.

3. The Big Lebowski (1998)

Who is the biggest fictional film slacker ever created? The answer is simple, it is Jeff Bridges’ The Dude in The Big Lebowski. The Cohen Brothers created this cult classic back in 1998, well after Bridges became a household name with Tron. John Goodman stars as The Dude’s friend and bowling partner in this fun comedy.

2. Blade Runner (1982)

The problem with Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi cult classic Blade Runner is not that the film isn’t good, it just so happened to come when Harrison Ford was better known as Han Solo and Indiana Jones. One would think that level of popularity would have made the film more popular during its initial run. Unfortunately, it didn’t. It took Blade Runner some time before it caught on, but it has and is now considered one of the best sci-fi films out there.

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Meat Loaf, again? Yes, folks, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the ultimate in cult classic cinema. Featuring an over-the-top performance by Tim Curry and catchy turns such as “The Time Warp” and “Hot Patootie’ (thank you Meat Loaf), TRHPS is at once campy and fun. It tends to veer into the fantastical towards the end, but the ending certainly doesn’t take away from its cult status. Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon, Richard O’Brien, and Patricia Quinn co-star in this memorable musical.