The 1980s were a crazy decade for films. Multi-million dollar blockbusters such as E.T. and Indiana Jones ruled the box office, but under that glittery veneer, another type of film was being produced—odd, experimental, frequently misconstrued movies that didn’t conform exactly to the mainstream. Some bombed on opening day. Others were too weird, too crazy, or too far ahead of their time.
And yet, numerous of these supposed failures would not go quietly into the night. With the help of home video, late-night television, and dedicated fan bases, they have had second lives—and in some instances, legendary status. Below are 15 cult movies of the ’80s that were flops or went under the radar, but are now loved by fans worldwide.
1. Ms. 45 (1981)
Abel Ferrara’s raw revenge thriller tracks Thana, a New York mute seamstress turned vigilante after surviving two savage attacks. Overlooked at the time for its violence and low-budget aesthetic, the film has since been rediscovered as a feminist cult classic. Zoe Lund’s terrifying performance and Ferrara’s unflinching direction now get the praise they’ve always deserved.
2. Class of 1984 (1982)
This raw, punk-powered shocker tells the tale of a high school music teacher who stands up to a gang of thug students. Banned in some nations and criticized as being too far out, the film’s counter-culture attitude and B-movie appeal have turned it into a cult classic of the VHS age.
3. Britannia Hospital (1982)
Lindsay Anderson’s surreal black comedy satirizes British institutions during a bungled royal hospital tour. Overstuffed and bizarre, it flopped on release—but gradually, it’s come to be appreciated as a stinging satire of Britain’s politics, class, and national identity.
4. The King of Comedy (1983)
Martin Scorsese’s darkly humorous commentary on celebrity fixation tracks Rupert Pupkin, a bumbling wannabe comedian played by Robert De Niro. The 1983 audiences weren’t prepared to see it, but now it seems curiously prescient in an age of fame and social media.
5. Better Off Dead (1985)
John Cusack is a lovesick teenager struggling through surreal high school mayhem in this quirky romantic comedy. With its surreal humor and grim gallows humor, the film flummoxed audiences initially. Now, it’s cherished for its kitschy style, offbeat charm, and quotably limitless dialogue.
6. Dragonslayer (1981)
A somber, serious fantasy compared to most of its time, Dragonslayer dazzled critics with its innovative special effects but did not resonate with viewers. Today, its gloomy mood and pictorial magic make it a cult classic among fantasy enthusiasts.
7. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
John Carpenter’s martial arts epic combines supernatural destruction, humor, and kung fu, with a clueless truck driver in the middle. It tanked at the box office, but with time, its zany creativity, witty one-liners, and Kurt Russell’s coolness have made it a classic.
8. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Sergio Leone’s sprawling gangster epic was hacked to shreds for its U.S. release, reducing a four-hour masterpiece to a piece of incoherent mess. Luckily, the restored version has been redone as a beautiful meditation on friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time.
9. The Black Cauldron (1985)
Disney went dark and uncommon with this animated fantasy based on Welsh legends. Too intense for children and too bizarre for families, it almost lost the studio money. But its daring images and grandiose tone have since captured an audience of animation and fantasy enthusiasts.
10. The Monster Squad (1987)
A team of children battling legendary monsters is the makings of a guaranteed hit, but this comedy-horror was written off as a Ghostbusters rip-off. Now it’s all 80s nostalgia, enjoying widespread acclaim for its child-driven action, sardonic script, and appreciation of the Universal Monsters.
11. Highlander (1986)
A story of immortals trapped in combat over centuries, Highlander failed in the U.S. but gained cult status overseas. Today, it’s famous for its sword battles, crazy premise, and iconic Queen soundtrack—not to mention that line: “There can be only one.”
12. Heathers (1988)
This pitch-black teen comedy about murder, cliques, and poisonous popularity was too dark and newsworthy for mainstream audiences. But in the intervening years, it’s become a classic cult film—one that satirizes high school life to death and even got the nod to a Broadway musical.
13. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror fueled by paranoia was battered by critics for being too gory and nihilistic, particularly in contrast to the feel-good E.T. from the 1982 same year. Nowadays, it’s considered a horror classic, a standard for practical effects and suspense.
14. Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott’s dark, atmospheric take on the future in 1982 was too heady and slow for most people. But over the years, its philosophical richness, beautiful production design, and noir feel have made it one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made.
15. Brazil (1985)
Terry Gilliam’s dystopian surreal satire depicts a world bogged down by bureaucracy, paranoia, and nightmares gone awry. Too weird for mainstream audiences at the time, it’s now widely regarded as a genius, hellish vision that becomes increasingly relevant with each passing year.
The 1980s can be viewed as the decade of the blockbuster, but these movies are evidence that sometimes the greatest films are those that take some time before they can be comprehended. They may have bombed in theaters, but they have since discovered their audiences, their voices, and their place in film history.