Let’s be real—occasionally, the critics and box office just don’t know what they’re talking about. There are a lot of movies over the years that were deemed bombs, only to come back from the dead and become cult favorites among loyal followers. Either they were too weird for mainstream America, too early for their time, or simply promoted incorrectly, those movies discovered their audience. Here’s a top 10 countdown of 10 films that were flops but became cult favorites.
10. The Room (2003)
If you’ve ever sat in a theater tossing plastic spoons at the screen, you’ve felt the odd magic of The Room. Tommy Wiseau’s bizarre acting, puzzling script, and inexplicable creative choices make it the ultimate “so bad it’s good” movie. It’s mystery—right down to the $6 million budget—only adds to its charm. Over time, it became a fan event, with audiences shouting lines and treating screenings like a party.
9. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Upon its release, critics trashed it, and few people even watched it in theaters. Yet this quirky summer camp comedy quietly gained its fans. Laced with future stars of comedy and ridiculous humor, it became a cult classic from its forgotten release to cult classic. Its popularity snowballed so much that it even spawned a couple of streaming spin-offs years later.
8. Labyrinth (1986)
A fantasy adventure featuring David Bowie sporting a glittery mullet, paired with Jim Henson’s puppetry, was a guaranteed thing—but it wasn’t. The critics were cruel, and it performed poorly. But through home video, it became an iconic rite of passage for generations of creative children and is now a cult hit with a loyal fan base.
7. Donnie Darko (2001)
This brain-twisting combination of time travel, teen angst, and spooky rabbit did not resonate at the box office, partly because of poor timing and minimal marketing. But when it was released on DVD, it became a cult favorite. Its meaning is still argued over by fans, and the film’s disturbing atmosphere draws viewers back for multiple viewings.
6. The Iron Giant (1999)
Brad Bird’s sweet animated story of a kid and his giant robot hardly covered its budget. But the emotional storytelling, stunning animation, and memorable conclusion made it a sleeper success on home video. Nowadays, it’s hailed as one of the greatest animated movies ever made, with a cult following that still gets teary-eyed at the mention of “Superman.”
5. Office Space (1999)
Mike Judge’s office satire scarcely caused a ripple when it was released, but it hit a chord with anyone who’s ever had to endure office existence. The deadpan humor and cringeworthy scenes made the film a favorite in TV reruns and home video. Today, it’s quoted ad nauseam and continues to make people laugh about corporate silliness.
4. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s science fiction horror was too intense and bloody for viewers at the time, particularly with more family-friendly alien films playing at the cinema. It was dismissed as a failure, but decades later, fans unearthed its masterful suspense, memorable effects, and dark atmosphere. Today, it is considered one of the best horror films ever created.
3. The Big Lebowski (1998)
When it was first released, this bizarre Coen Brothers comedy confused viewers. Its absurd humor, unorthodox rhythm, and wacko characters didn’t resonate immediately. However, over the years, “The Dude” has become a pop culture phenomenon, and fans have adopted the movie’s chill attitude. Now, themed festivals and devoted groups keep the movie alive.
2. The Shining (1980)
It’s difficult to envision now, but Stanley Kubrick’s version of Stephen King’s book received mixed notices at its release, with a few of the critics calling it slow or too bizarre. The acting and disturbing imagery took some time to gain respect. Years afterward, it’s a masterpiece of psychological horror that induces boundless interpretation and homage.
1. Vertigo (1958)
Even Alfred Hitchcock had a box office miss. When it came out, Vertigo received chilly reviews as a lesser effort compared to his other successes. But its mesmerizing style and obsession theme were gradually discovered over time. Nowadays, it’s frequently ranked on the all-time greats list and is a tribute to Hitchcock’s brilliance.
So the next time a movie is panned or vanishes from theaters overnight, remember—some of the most iconic films in history were initially deemed flops. You never know what will be tomorrow’s cult classic.