Some movies are a hit right away, breaking box office records and sweeping award ceremonies. And then there are the rest, the outcasts. Cult classics are the movies that didn’t quite fit when they were initially released. They baffled critics, bombed in theaters, or were just too bizarre for mainstream viewers. But here’s the catch: years later, these underdogs gained devoted fan bases. They became the movies people watch at midnight screenings, quote at parties, and cherish because they’re a little offbeat. Cult classics aren’t about perfection; they’re about personality. Here are 10 unforgettable films that went from overlooked oddities to cultural icons.
10. Clue (1985)
Back in the 80s, the idea of turning a board game into a movie sounded like a gimmick. Clue wasn’t a success when it opened in theaters, but it’s since become a comfort-watch staple. Why’s that? The combination of wacky comedy, over-the-top performances, and a script that doesn’t ever get too serious. Tim Curry is the stand-out star as the flustered butler, with Madeline Kahn and Christopher Lloyd serving up one-liners that fans still use today. And then there’s the multiple endings, an unusual gimmick at the time that only added to its replay value. These days, it’s a staple of cult cinema, streaming on PlutoTV if you’re ready to pick your favorite ending.
9. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
If camp had a crown jewel, Cassandra Peterson’s Elvira would be wearing it. Her film debut was scoffed at by the critics, yet the film contains all the elements that make a cult classic: irreverent humor, campy horror, and a leading lady who knows the joke she’s sharing. Elvira is outrageous, funny, and unrepentantly herself, and it’s precisely because of that that the film took hold of viewers long after its initial release. Peterson’s persona already had a fan base with Movie Macabre, but Mistress of the Dark made her a pop culture icon. You can watch this ode to B-horror now on PlutoTV, The Roku Channel, or Tubi.
8. The Thief and the Cobbler (1993)
Occasionally, a film will be made into a cult classic, not for anything seen on the screen, but because of the crazy history behind the film. The Thief and the Cobbler was a grand animated undertaking that took years to complete, but was still not done right. What we ended up with was put together (pun intended), but its stunning animation and dreamlike quality made it a gem for cartoon enthusiasts. It includes Vincent Price’s last performance and an otherworldly setting that is like no other cartoon of its time. Though it’s not a refined classic, it’s part of its beauty. For animation enthusiasts interested in history, it can be rented on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, and Google Play.
7. Mallrats (1995)
Kevin Smith’s follow-up film didn’t impress critics, but for kids who grew up in the ’90s, it’s literally a time capsule on film. Mallrats immortalizes the days of mall-hanging, slacking off with buddies, and discussing nothing and everything simultaneously. Starring early turns by Jason Lee, Shannen Doherty, and Ben Affleck (as a smarmy sleazeball), the film lives and dies on snarky wit and Smith’s trademark pop culture anachronisms. And who can ever forget Stan Lee’s cameo, dishing out unwanted love advice everyone remembers? Though not a critical hit, it’s a cult classic for those who are nostalgic for 90s mall culture. You can stream it on YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime.
6. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Well before RuPaul’s Drag Race and mainstream drag representation, there was Priscilla. This cult classic is about three drag queens who travel across the desert in a massive bus on a road trip. Hugo Weaving, Terence Stamp, and Guy Pearce infuse heart, humor, and dazzling performances into a tale that’s as fun as it is emotional. The film didn’t merely win over audiences; it inspired a Broadway musical and became a staple of LGBTQ+ films. With unforgettable attire and a killer soundtrack, it’s a flick that celebrates individuality like no other. Catch it streaming for free on Tubi, PlutoTV, and The Roku Channel.
5. Death Becomes Her (1992)
What do you get when you cast Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in a dark comedy about immortality? Death Becomes Her, a film that critics didn’t know what to do with at first. The two enemies drink a magic potion that will give them youthfulness forever, and the results are both grotesquely funny and gruesome. Its campy, over-the-top spin on vanity, aging, and Hollywood’s fixation on beauty was prescient, and its campy tone made it an overnight sensation among LGBTQ+ viewers. And the special effects were revolutionary in their time, raising the bar for CGI. Nowadays, it’s hailed as a camp classic and even spawned a stage musical. Rent it now on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, or Google Play.
4. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
No comedy depicts female friendship better than this one. Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow star as two best friends who go back to their high school reunion to impress their former classmates. Their strategy? They pretend to have created Post-its. What makes the film work isn’t simply the silliness of the story; it’s the real connection between Romy and Michele, a bond that is both absurd and authentic. The film has, over time, become a cult classic for those who adore quotable comedy, feminist subtext, and unapologetic kookiness. It even got a prequel and a stage play. Watch it now on Hulu or Paramount+.
3. The Last Unicorn (1982)
Half fairy tale, half precursor to anime, The Last Unicorn is arguably the most eerie animated movie ever produced. It’s dark and whimsical and unlike anything Hollywood produced during the period. It’s the story of a unicorn who goes out looking for what became of the rest of her species, and in the process, it discusses loss, hope, and identity. Starring the voices of Alan Arkin, Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, and Christopher Lee, and featuring music by the band America, it’s as quirky as it is magical. The distinctive animation technique only makes it more appealing. You can watch it for free on Peacock, Tubi, Amazon, and The Roku Channel.
2. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
When Popstar hit theaters, viewers weren’t really sure what to make of it. The Lonely Island’s send-up of a self-absorbed pop star (performed by Andy Samberg) was too culty for mass success. But as with This Is Spinal Tap, it has matured into a masterful satire of celebrity and the music business. Full of comedic cameos, astute musical spoofs, and ridiculous one-liners, the movie is watch-after-watch-after-watchable. Critics and audiences alike now see it as a cult comedy classic, and it’s streamable for free on PlutoTV.
1. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer’s Body was rejected when it came out as a botched horror-comedy. In the years since, though, it has been reevaluated and championed, particularly by feminist critics and horror aficionados. Megan Fox’s campy performance as a demonizing cheerleader and Amanda Seyfried’s heart in the best friend caught in the middle are sharp, and Diablo Cody’s snappy script was way ahead of its time, combining horror clichés with acid-tongued social commentary on female friendships. Now, it’s a cult classic in modern terms and the best example of how misfired movies can catch up with audiences later. You can watch it now on Peacock.
Cult classics show us that popularity is overrated. A film may tank at the box office but live forever with devoted fans, constant quotes, and midnight showings. Whether they’re cheesy comedies, spine-tingling animations, or infamous horror movies, cult classics remind us that the magic of cinema is often in the unlikeliest places. And let’s be honest: what’s more enjoyable than adoring a movie that not everyone else “gets”?