Some of the best movies aren’t critically acclaimed award winners or box office juggernauts. They’re the cult classics that found an audience years, or even decades, after their release. These are films overlooked when they came out, but thanks to positive word of mouth, they eventually found the audience they deserved.
In the past, this used to take place after a movie was released on VHS or DVD. You’d hear about it at Blockbuster when you were looking for a movie to rent, fall in love, and then buy it to add to your collection. Today, you might discover it on a streaming service or hear about it on social media.
Sometimes, you can figure out which movies are destined for such a following. Other times, however, you miss the mark. Here are 15 movies that people need to check out.
Death to Smoochy
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
The 2002 satirical black comedy stars Robin Williams, Edward Norton, and Danny DeVito, who also directs.
Disgraced children’s TV host “Rainbow” Randolph Smiley attempts to sabotage his replacement, Sheldon Mopes (Norton), and his character Smoochy the Rhino.
Despite its cast and promising premise, Death to Smoochy is a box-office bomb, failing to make $10 million. Fans of the film love to sing its praises, though.
Trapped in Paradise
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
With a cast featuring Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey, and Jon Lovitz, this 1994 Christmas comedy seems like a sure thing. But, sadly, that isn’t the case.
Despite being a flop with critics and audiences, it has developed a small but loyal following. Maybe one day, it’ll catch on and become a Christmas staple.
Smokin’ Aces
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.
Unlike other films on this list of possible cult classics, Smokin’ Aces isn’t a box office bomb. Instead, the movie grossed nearly $60 million on a budget of $17 million.
The ensemble cast features Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, and Ryan Reynolds.
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Photo Credit: New Line Cinema.
This 1999 mockumentary starring Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy, Allison Janney, and Kirstie Alley seems like a recipe for instant success. But, alas, that isn’t the case; Drop Dead Gorgeous struggled to break even at the box office.
However, when the film debuted on Hulu, it garnered widespread recognition. It receives praise today for being a departure from traditional 90’s teen comedies. But, sadly, it isn’t always in the conversation of beloved cult classics.
Hudson Hawk
Image Credit: TriStar Pictures, Inc.
1991’s Hudson Hawk stars Bruce Willis, Andie MacDowell, David Caruso, and James Coburn. While it made almost $100 million at the box office, it has become lost to time.
One possible reason for its lack of staying power? It was a failure by the studio to understand what the movie was about. Despite being marketed as a Bruce Willis action movie, the film leans more toward slapstick comedy.
Mystery Men
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.
With a star-studded ensemble cast featuring Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, and William H Macy, Mystery-Men seemed like a sure thing at the 1999 box office. But, as it turns out, that wasn’t the case.
The film completely flopped, failing to make back its budget. Still, the movie has a loyal fanbase today that enjoys its charm and camp.
John Dies at the End
Photo Credit: Magnet Releasing.
Despite making little to no money at the box office, John Dies at the End has a very devoted following. But is that enough to make it a cult classic? Unfortunately, the jury is still out on that.
It has a loyal audience but lacks mainstream cult appeal.
Repo Man
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.
Director Alex Cox is the co-writer of one of the most famous cult classic movies ever, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, his directorial debut, Repo Man, hasn’t reached the same level of popularity.
Starring Harry Dean Stanton and Emilio Estevez, Repo Man’s popularity today is due to its re-edited TV cut. To replace profanity, some wild and over-the-top dubbing is added. This puts it in the “so bad it’s good” category.
Airheads
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
Brendan Fraser is seeing a career revival thanks to his work in The Whale. Maybe it’s time we see Airheads reach cult classic status.
The 1994 comedy, starring Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, and Chris Farley, is a box office bomb. As has gone on, however, critics and audiences are starting to enjoy the movie, and while it’s slowly achieving cult status, it’s not widely talked about.
Space Truckers
Photo Credit: Entertainment Film Distributors.
Dennis Hopper fights killer androids, and Charles Dance is a cyborg pirate captain. You’d figure this is destined for cult-classic status due to its camp, yet that’s not the case with this 1996 sci-fi comedy.
Evolution
Photo Credit:
DreamWorks Pictures,
Columbia Pictures.
2001’s Evolution, directed by Ivan Reitman, seemed ready to cash in on the popularity of sci-fi at the time. But, unfortunately, it didn’t translate to mainstream success.
Despite maxing nearly $100 million at the box office, it barely grossed more than its $80 million budget. The film, starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore, and Seann Willliam Scott, hasn’t found the audience other cult classics have.
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Photo Credit: New Line Cinema.
1996’s The Long Kiss Goodnight is an action thriller starring Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, and Brian Cox. While the cast has enjoyed long-term success in other projects, the same cannot be said here.
Upon release, critics and audiences enjoyed the movie. As time went on, however, the film became lost to obscurity. Some fans blame 1995’s Cutthroat Island, also starring Davis and directed by Renny Harlin, for tanking Davis’ marketability.
Sky High
Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
Despite modest success at the box office, Sky High couldn’t draw appeal away from its targeted young adult demographic.
Some still look back fondly on the movie during repeat viewings, but it falls short compared to other cult classics.
Crank
Photo Credit: Lionsgate Films.
Jason Statham may be better known for his work on the Transporter and Fast & Furious franchises. However, his performance in 2006’s Crank is one of his best.
A wonderful dumb action movie, Crank’s premise is beautifully absurd: Statham plays a hitman who must keep his adrenaline constantly flowing to survive.
Idle Hands
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing.
The 1999 comedy horror movie starring Devon Sawa, Seth Green, and Jessica Alba is a box office flop. Idle Hands didn’t resonate well with critics, either.
Still, the raunchy comedy has a devoted following today, leaving us wondering why it’s not discussed as a cult classic and praised similarly to American Pie. Fans praise Sawa’s performance in particular.
