Some movies crash and burn so hard on release that you’d think they’d vanish forever. But every so often, a film that critics trample ends up finding its audience—fans who celebrate its quirks, quote its wildest lines, and turn it into a cult obsession. Whether misunderstood, ahead of its time, or gloriously messy, these are the films that prove critical failure doesn’t always mean cultural failure.
10. Xanadu (1980)
Neon roller skates, Olivia Newton-John as an inspiration, Gene Kelly’s swan song—Xanadu sounds odd. Critics trashed it, viewers were baffled, and it even helped create the Razzies. But in the intervening years, its gaudy musical numbers and dazzling ELO soundtrack have won it converts. What was initially dismissed as such is now a much-loved disco fantasy.
9. Elektra (2005)
Jennifer Garner’s superhero spin-off was torn apart on its release, dismissed as another mid-2000s flop. But give it another glance: its choreographed battles, guilt-free 2000s style, and Garner’s presence lend it an inadvertent charm. With her brief appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine generating buzz, perhaps it’s time to reassess Elektra at last.
8. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Initially dismissed as campy fluff, Jennifer’s Body has been recovered as a snappily feminist horror-comedy. Megan Fox’s sassy turn, Diablo Cody’s acid script, and the film’s unashamed weirdness have secured it cult classic status. Once dismissed, now hotly defended.
7. The Thing (1982)
Crazy as it sounds, John Carpenter’s classic was lambasted when it opened—”garbage” and “excess,” they called it. It bombed at the box office, as well. Now? It’s considered one of the all-time greatest horror movies due to its paranoia-fueled narrative, stunning effects, and Kurt Russell’s legendary performance.
6. House of Wax (2005)
Scoffed at by critics, but known better by horror enthusiasts. This remake of House of Wax boasts a young cast (with Paris Hilton), gallons of blood, and creative kills. Sometimes, excess is the idea.
5. Black Christmas (2006)
Rebooting a classic is never going to score favors with critics, and this nasty holiday slasher was sliced apart upon opening. But years later, its nasty streak, crazy kills, and jam-packed cast have seen it take on a new lease on life. Not for the purists, perhaps, but for horror buffs? It’s a seasonal tradition now.
4. Pieces (1982)
A chainsaw, a nonsensical plot, and some of the wildest kills you’ll ever see—Pieces is pure exploitation gold. Critics loathed it, but its absurdity and shock factor have made it a midnight movie legend. It’s not good—but it is unforgettable.
3. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Yes, it’s about alien clowns. Yes, it’s as absurd as it sounds. Critics were at a loss for what to do with it, but viewers on VHS and midnight crowds made it a cult hit. With its outlandish effects and unashamed strangeness, Killer Klowns became a cult classic by embracing the zany.
2. Showgirls (1995)
When it was released, Paul Verhoeven’s NC-17 Vegas drama was mocked as shallow, sleazy, and ridiculous. Yet, its camp, quotability, and plain audacity have, over the years, turned Showgirls into a cult classic. It’s so over-the-top that it loops back into brilliance.
1. Mommie Dearest (1981)
Meant to be a serious Joan Crawford biopic, it became notorious due to Faye Dunaway’s over-the-top performance and infinitely quotable dialogue. Critics scoffed, yet cultists took to it as a camp classic. From midnight matinees to drag performances, Mommie Dearest has survived long past its catastrophic opening.
Critics might have panned them, but the movies would not die. Failure is sometimes the first step to immortality—and ultimately, the audience determines what really lasts.