10 Failed Movies That Became Cult Classics

John Carter didn't even need critical acclaim and box office success!

[Raptured_Night]

I would definitely say Hocus Pocus deserves a mention. It went from being critically panned to a major cult classic that recently earned itself a sequel. Also, Waterworld may deserve a mention. It's gained cult classic status, especially with a recent DVD re-release with extended content and rumors of a pending tv series based in that world set to debut. There's also a lesser-known comic series follow-up to the movie that was released in the 90s.

[johncady]

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was sadly omitted, which left me disappointed. The sheer campiness of Tim Curry and the witty, fun musical numbers made RHPS a guilty pleasure for decades. Released in 1975, what vaulted RHPS into the realm of cult classics was the decision by theaters to show the movie at midnight. I went to a Midnight showing where fans attended in costume and reenacted various scenes. That was as much fun as the movie itself.

[babaarcuszatir]

+1 for mentioning The Boondock Saints! 🙂 I’ve watched it countless times, and still love it. Willem Dafoe’s performance is one of a kind.

[johnsmith-kcrk]

Natural Born Killers tripled its money at the box office. It made $110 million, it was hardly a flop.

[markmaioli]

Event Horizon & David Lynch's Dune both suffer from studio interference & horrible cuts.
Dune was cut from 3 (but Lynch started with 4) to 2 hours. Of course NOW they understand that much more than that is needed to convey the breadth of this epic story.
Event Horizon was cut by 30 minutes as well.

[arefrigerator]

Big Trouble in Little China was a box office flop but quickly became a big hit afterwards. Still to this day my favourite film of all time. 😎

[Fluffykeith]

I saw Event Horizon in the cinema and I don't regret it. I love that movie.

[timothyivey]

My girlfriend and I saw Natural Born Killers in the theater upon its initial release, and we kept talking about it for days. Still love it.

[oobrocks]

John Carter is truly a good film. If u c it u can c how it failed: it’s production (sets, background and extras) are enormous and impressive…in a way it’s too good. Incredible cast, story and thought provoking. A must c if u love sci-fi !

[donharris]

I would add a few more:

1) Clive Barker's Nightbreed, which due to fan's painstakingly locating the lost cut footage in a midwest warehouse, two more editions were released: the Director's Cut (doubling the original's length) and the even longer Cabal Cut;

2) Caligula starring Malcolm McDowell (the uncut x-rated version for obvious reasons);

3) Prospero's Books starring Sir John Gielgud as Prospero (a very trippy movie IMHO)

[StevenRollason]

How about Hudson Hawk? That bombed at the box office (partly because it was badly marketed as an action movie rather than a comedy) but performed a lot better when it was released on video. Not sure if it actually qualifies as a cult classic, but I love it.

[MatthewGClarke]

The Fountain is probably my favourite Aronofsky film, and yes, Clint Mansell's score is incredible.

[redsoxfox]

Wow The Fountain is on here, yeah that movie hit me in the feels more than once

[Fibonacci]

“The Big Lebowski”, for sure. And “Blade Runner”. If you mean “failed” just meaning money and Box Office results. We have classic european and asian cinema that didn’t make as much money as Hollywood Blockbusters.

[LostScarf]

John Carter was a fine film, I remember old men coming out of the theatre with books in their old books in their hands and excited for the sequel. I wish they got their sequel. But Disney totally fumbled this one.

[burf]

Not sure if these count as cult classics, but I'd include Waterworld, The Abyss, and Shadow of the Vampire on this list. The first two were ridiculously expensive to make and tanked at the box office, but they're both really good movies (at least I think so). The last one was made on a shoestring budget and brought in shoestring returns but is an *excellent* movie. If you've never seen it, you should. You really should.

[CashelOConnolly]

Pink flamingos, The rocky horror picture show, female Trouble, blue velvet. Bad Taste.
All cult goodness

[thugmrs]

*Rocky Horror 😁✊🏽 Has To Be, Number One!* ❤✨

[awizardintraining]

wouldn't Labyrinth and Dark Crystal be considered cult classics? They didn't do well at all at the B.O.

[AbsoluteApril]

was about to say how many great picks are on here but then you lost me with The Room 🤣🤣🤣