When Hollywood dips its toe into the irreverent “cult movie” arena it often misses the mark. Hollywood movies are mainstream and mainstream is not cult unless the cult claims it. Sometimes, however, through sheer luck – and often a brilliantly underestimated idea — Hollywood launches a cult favorite: a movie that draws a surprising amount of devoted fans and lives in the hearts of edgy audiences for lifetimes. Wikipedia defines a cult movie as “a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans.”
The allure of cult films, often called cult classics, is a mystery. What brings droves of underrepresented fans to theaters and DVD rental houses when a movie’s advertising has clearly missed its mainstream mark? Cult movies are not restricted by type either. Cult flicks appear in nearly every genre and sub-genre, including horror, slasher, action, martial-arts, thrillers, mystery, and suspense.
A cult movie is different than a sleeper hit in that a sleeper hit occurs when there is little to no advertising but word-of-mouth is positive and far-reaching. However, cult movies have notoriously bad advertising from one-sheets to tag lines and trailers. Still, when the chemistry is right, audiences turn out in droves.
Fortunately, when a movie becomes a cult classic it receives additional attention, often in the form of improved box office, increased DVD rentals, and positive reviews. In a word, a successful cult film transcends its niche status and becomes mainstream. Below are some of the more well-known cult classics that became underground hits and, later, fully appreciated by mainstream audiences.
“Blade Runner”
“Blade Runner,” the 1982 sci-fi film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford (“Star Wars,” “Cowboys & Aliens”) and Rutger Hauer (“Hobo With A Shotgun” and the cult classic “The Hitcher”) was panned by critics. Moreover, the initial box office was dismal. But word of the stunning computer graphics and moody performances spread and the sci-fi film that was ahead of its time found an ever-growing fan base. Scott is arguably one of the greatest filmmakers of the last 30 years and “Blade Runner” is now considered to be one of his best movies. There have even been rumors of a “Blade Runner” prequel.
“The Warriors”
“Warriors, come out to plaaay,” has been recited by people who weren’t even born in 1979 when the street gang cult classic was released in theaters. “The Warriors” is a film about a New York gang wrongly accused of murder who must make it back to their home turf in Coney Island while being pursued by other gangs out for revenge. The film starred virtual unknowns at the time, but it went on to accumulate gladiator-sized numbers of fans who appreciate and quote the film even now. “Can.. you.. dig it?” has been recited on Disney and Nickelodeon television series like ” iCarly;” even the show’s mainstream writers are fans of this cult classic.
“The Shawshank Redemption”
This Academy Award-winning prison drama was considered a failure at the box office. Critics theorized that it was largely due to the film’s odd title and little public awareness of the book on which the film was based. But “The Shawshank Redemption” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Morgan Freeman), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. The movie failed to win a single Oscar but theater attendance soared after the Academy Awards broadcast. The director, Frank Darabont, who some say was snubbed by the Academy because he wasn’t nominated for “The Shawshank Redemption,” handily redeemed himself when his critically acclaimed film “The Green Mile” was nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The beauty of cult film status is that films aren’t required to be excellent. All that is required is for fans to enjoy what’s on the screen.
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