One of the biggest ironies in life is that the movies that fail spectacularly with the loudest bangs often become our favorites to watch. In fact, the history of Hollywood is full of such examples of movies that flopped on their opening weekends but later resurrected their careers after they got cult followings, were screened at midnight festivals, and spread by fan word-of-mouth. Such flops are just one more proof that the number of box office receipts is not always the measure of true impact. Check out 10 of the most fantastic failures that have gone on to become cult classics.
10. Clue (1985)
What should have been a lighthearted whodunit from the board game became a box office puzzler. Clue’s gimmick—various theaters received varied endings—muddled viewers, and it only grossed $14.6 million. But when the film arrived on VHS, viewers could view all the endings and enjoy Tim Curry’s wonderfully crazy butler. Years later, Clue is beloved for its offbeat humor and sassy ensemble cast.
9. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Wes Anderson’s aquatic adventure cost $50 million but hardly splashed economically. Nevertheless, its quirky sadness, stop-motion marine life, and Portuguese Bowie covers finally discovered their crowd. What seemed initially to be a misstep is now regarded as a break in Anderson’s career—and a cult classic for his followers.
8. Under the Skin (2013)
Scarlett Johansson playing an otherworldly predator stalking men in Scotland is box office gold, but the haunting, ascetic presentation of the film kept the mainstream at bay. It made just $7 million worldwide. But its dreamlike imagery, haunting score, and unnerving atmosphere have given it a devoted cult following, making it one of the decade’s most singular sci-fi movies.
7. Donnie Darko (2001)
A creepy rabbit, a time-traveling plot, and a pre-teen Jake Gyllenhaal—it was the perfect recipe for a cult classic, but not a box office smash. A poor marketing campaign and post-9/11 sensitivities gave the film only $518,000 in U.S. box office earnings. But a year later, British audiences warmed to it, and soon enough it was a touchstone among generations of angsty teens and film students.
6. The Iron Giant (1999)
Brad Bird’s sentimental animated story of a boy and his robot companion was better than it got. Bad marketing consigned its theatrical life to only $23 million on a $70 million budget. Repeated cable and home video viewings eventually provided it with the affection it deserved. The Iron Giant is now regarded as one of the greatest of all animated films.
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Edgar Wright’s comic book movie was a treat of video game-style visuals and quick-fire jokes—but far too pioneering for its own good. It cost $60 million and didn’t even manage that at the box office. The fans nevertheless kept it going with repeat after repeat, turning it into a cult success. Its cult status even led to an animated re-release with the original cast.
4. Blade Runner (1982)
When Ridley Scott’s dystopian noir came out, people didn’t know what to do with it. Up against E.T. and saddled with mixed reviews, it grossed only $41.8 million. But over time, its vivid imagery, weighty themes, and Rutger Hauer’s iconic “tears in rain” speech made it a cornerstone of sci-fi.
3. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s Antarctic hellride was trashed by critics and eclipsed at the box office by—you guessed it—E.T. Its dark mood and graphic practical effects frightened off general audiences, leaving it with a mere $19.9 million. Horror enthusiasts, however, loved it, and today The Thing is regarded as one of the best horror movies ever made.
2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Believe it or not, Gene Wilder’s classic performance as Willy Wonka was barely a blip on theaters’ radars, grossing only $4 million. Roald Dahl notoriously hated the adaptation, and it lost its appeal quickly. But television reruns and home video revived it, and today it’s the one generations grew up with—psychedelic, creepy, and indelible.
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Arguably the most successful “flop-to-favorite” tale in movie history. Shawshank took only $16 million at the box office in its initial release, eclipsed by Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. Even its actors joked that nobody recalled the name. But for Oscar hype, a huge VHS campaign, and years of cable airtime, it topped 1995’s most rented movie list. Now, it regularly leads “best movies ever” rankings.
Financial failure is not always artistic failure. These films serve as a reminder that sometimes the audience just isn’t quite ready—until years from now. From cult midnight showings to streaming rediscoveries, the films that bombed hardest originally are now regarded as some of the most cherished stories in film history.