The 30 best cult movies you have to see

There is controversy when it comes to defining what a cult movie is. In general terms, it is understood as that cinematographic work of any genre that, well for novel or transgressive, has achieved popular worship or small groups with the passage of the weather.

Normally, cult films are characterized by staying outside the narrative conventions and techniques of the industry, are also controversial because of their subject matter and, most of them, were a failure in ticket office.

In contrast, an inclusive definition also allows for movies produced by major studios and blockbusters. Those films that, due to their unconventional style, their peculiar aesthetics or their structure, have been accepted by the general public and, especially, praised by critics.

In this selection we propose 30 cult films, ordered from best to worst and according to our criteria. In it you will find both minor films and some great successes Y, what's more, We will tell you why they are considered cult films.

1. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Direction: George A. Rosemary
Why is it cult:

• It is an example of how a low-budget film can become a classic of the horror genre that, to this day, continues to maintain almost the same impact that it generated in its premiere.
• The film was criticized by some media for its use of violence.

The action takes place in Pennsylvania where two brothers, Barbra and Johnny, visit their father's grave. There Johnny is killed by an undead while the young girl manages to escape and flees to a nearby farm. There he meets other people who also take refuge from the multitude of zombies that have risen from their graves.

2. Eyes Without a Face (1959)

Director: Georges franju
Why is it cult:

• It is a classic horror film that unleashed negative reactions at its premiere and gained followers over time.
• Some of his scenes caused blackouts during viewing and were later hurt by censorship.

In Paris, a surgeon kidnaps young women with the intention of using her skin to reconstruct the face of her daughter, who is disfigured after suffering a tragic accident.

This story is based on the homonymous novel by Jean Redon and served as inspiration for films such as The Skin I Live In scored by Pedro Almodóvar.

3. Last year in Marienbad (1961)

Director: Alain Resnais
Why is it cult:

• It is an ambiguous film, by distancing itself from the conventional narrative, which manages to disconcert anyone who he has the pleasure of viewing it, precisely this indeterminacy is what has divided critics for years.
• The film, a jewel of the French cinema of the 1960s, is today a cult film of recognized prestige among the faithful of Resnais.

Reality or dream? This confusion seems to be present throughout the film in which two anonymous characters, in the middle of the immensity of a luxury hotel, question whether they really knew each other beforehand or not. A man tries to convince a woman to leave her husband and go with him, but she does not seem to remember the love story between them.

It is a film that has inspired many filmmakers, including Nolan himself with his film Inception, in which he also explores the labyrinth of human consciousness and memory.

4. The Wicker Man (1973)

Director: Robin hardy
Why is it cult:

• The film was well received by critics and is surprising, especially, for its violent scenes and erotic content.
• The film is especially revered by fans of horror movies.

An investigator named Neil Howie leaves for a remote island in England after receiving a letter without sender indicating that he must investigate the mysterious murder of a young woman that has been committed there.

In the place, the inspector discovers that the inhabitants practice strange rituals, of which the young woman may have been a victim.

5. Eraserhead (1977)

Director: David lynch
Why is it cult:

• It contains disturbing scenes that reach the dreamlike, rather as if it were a nightmare, and that are difficult to explain.
• For its symbolic richness and its black humor about the human condition, the film is as idolized as it is hated.

The film revolves around Henry, a man who is going to dinner at his friend Mary's house. There he learns that he has fathered a strange-looking baby. Soon, while caring for the creature, the protagonist experiences the most varied hallucinations.

You can also read: 10 Essential David Lynch Movies Explained and Analyzed

6. Freaks (1932)

Director: Tod Browning
Why is it cult:

• Since the 1960s, the film has been gaining followers since its premiere was a real failure.
• The film was banned for thirty years in the UK.
• The film, which is full of black humor and cruelty, questions the deformity.

Also known as The monsters' stop Y Phenomena, the film takes place in a circus context, where deformed beings inhabit.

Among them is Hans, who has dwarfism, and who inherits a large amount of money. Cleopatra, a trapeze artist without any malformation, takes the opportunity to try to seduce Hans in order to keep her fortune.

7. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Why is it cult:

• This is an example of how a blockbuster can be considered by many to be a cult movie.
• It is a film that contains uncomfortable themes as a social criticism, especially present through its dialogues.
• Its style, references to pop culture and great works of cinema make it one of the most influential films of recent times.

This puzzle-like film stars two hit men, Vincent and Jules, who work for a dangerous gangster named Marsellus Wallace. One of the tasks that criminals have to fulfill is to recover a mysterious briefcase.

You may also like: Quentin Tarantino Pulp Fiction Movie

8. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Director: Stanley kubrick
Why is it cult:

• At the time of its premiere, it generated such a scandal that its video distribution was prohibited in the country of its production, England.
• The film explores social issues and is loaded with violent images, which the director himself even censored.

A clockwork orange is a film based on the novel by Anthony Burgess. It presents a gang of criminals led by Alex, the protagonist, who have sown terror in the city for their violent practices.

Soon, after assaulting a man until he is paralyzed, Alex has to go to prison, there he agrees to undergo an experimental treatment to reduce his sentence.

You can also read: Movie A Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick

9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Director: Tobe Hooper
Why is it cult:

• It marked a before and after in the horror genre, as it showed coldness and unusual violence until that moment.
• It was shot on a low budget, bypassed censorship, and managed to be one of the most profitable independent films in history.

It is inspired by a true event and the story takes place in a small town in Texas, where some graves have been desecrated. Five teenagers are lost on the road and are forced to spend the night at a family home. Soon, the protagonists are attacked by a hideous figure wearing a mask and a chainsaw.

10. Blade Runner (1982)

Direction: Ridley scott
Why is it cult:

• The film did not have a good reception at its premiere, but after its commercialization outside theaters it managed to become a cult landmark of science fiction.
• Due to its symbolic nature, this referent of neo-noir and science fiction cinema has become the starting point for some anime films and others of its genre.

The film is based on the novel by Philip K. Dick titled Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968). Blade runner is a dystopia that recreates the city of Los Angeles of the year 2019. There, its protagonist, a police officer, is on a mission to stop some androids pretending to be human. Unintentionally, he ends up in love with a humanoid robot named Young.

11. Repo Man (1984)

Direction: Alex Cox
Why is it cult:

• This tape, straddling the road movie and science fiction, portrays punk values ​​and aesthetics, and became a cult title for presenting a crazy, surreal story full of surprising twists.

Known in Spanish as The recuperator, this film tells the story of Otto, a boy who has just lost his job. He soon becomes part of the "repo men", whose mission is to recover the cars of those defaulters who have not paid. He will also be immersed in a government investigation into a mysterious substance that produces effects on those who observe it.

12. Brazil (1985)

Director: Terry gilliam
Why is it cult:

• At the time of its release it did not have a notorious success, however, it soon became a cult film for the director's staunch and science fiction film lovers.

The movie is inspired by the novel 1984 by George Orwell. The plot revolves around Sam, a state official, who has a great power of oppression over his citizens. One day everything changes for him when he meets an underground activist named Tuttle and a mysterious woman named Jill. Soon, the man ends up defying the system of which he is a part.

13. Donnie Darko (2001)

Director: Richard Kelly
Why is it cult:

• This film was not successful and its release was limited.
• Thanks to its distribution on DVD and the internet chat groups of the fans of the time, the film became popular among the most cinephile viewers.

This film revolves around a teenager named Donnie Darko who experiences the presence of a mysterious figure, dressed as a rabbit, who predicts the end of the world through an account regressive.

Soon, the visions are more and more frequent and the young man has to obey Frank's orders, which have consequences for him and those around him.

You may also like: Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko movie

14. The Big Lebowski (1998)

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Why is it cult:

• It is an example of a film that received harsh criticism and failed at the box office. But that with the passage of time has been revalued and labeled as a "cult movie."
• The film is loaded with absurd humor, unclassifiable characters and strange situations.

Nicknamed as El Nota, the protagonist of this film, he is a lazy man who is dedicated to smoking and drinking. One day, a couple of criminals mistake him for a millionaire, with whom he shares a surname, and he is immersed in a story full of intrigue and surreal events.

15. Evil dead II (1987)

Direction: Sam raimi
Why is it cult:

• Due to its violent content and some gory scenes, this movie had to get around censorship.
• The film was a notorious box office success and, to this day, it has a legion of fans who have made it a cult work internationally.

This film focuses on the character of Ash, who takes a weekend getaway with his partner in a cabin located in a remote forest.

The adventure turns into a nightmare when they decide to play a recording on a tape in which he hears the voice of an archeology professor who reproduces some passages from the Book of the Dead. These words awaken an evil spirit that possesses the protagonist's girlfriend.

16. Requiem for a dream (2000)

Direction: Darren aronofsky
Why is it cult:

• One of the most breathtaking films about addictions that, with the passage of time, has become a cult film.

Harry is a young drug addict, so is his girlfriend. They both want to get rich by trafficking, but the illegal business does not make enough money. Her mother, addicted to amphetamines, follows a rigorous diet in hopes of being able to participate in her favorite television show.

It is a film with a harsh criticism of the American dream that shows how dreams can turn into disturbing nightmares from which it is difficult to escape.

You can also read: Requiem for a Dream movie

17. School of Young Killers (1989)

Direction: Michael Lehmann
Why is it cult:

• This film aimed at a young audience and loaded with black humor, had to face its setback at the box office and, over time, managed to hold the cult label in the United States.

The film focuses on a high school student environment. There, Verónica, a teenager who is part of the most popular group in school, realizes the atrocities that her friends commit with the rest of the class. However, the young woman is unable to stop dating them. She soon she begins a relationship with J.D, a boy who enters the institute again. Together they decide to kill those who commit cruelty to other people, but make the murders look like suicides.

18. The mole (1972)

Direction: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Why is it cult:

• From this film, the Midnight Movie phenomenon of the American counterculture of the 70s began to be considered.
• The premiere in Mexico was a real failure, but when it arrived in the United States it became a cult title.
• It is a unique surreal western that is characterized by its diverse characters and is loaded with symbolism.

This film directed by and starring the Chilean Alejandro Jodorowsky, where he plays a bandit who, after taking revenge on the death of his wife, undertakes a search to find the so-called "Revolver Masters" whom he also gets overcome. Later he is rescued by a group of dwarfs and disabled people.

19. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

Direction: Russ Meyer
Why is it cult:

• It is a top film within the category of exploitation cinema, which deals with morally and socially inadmissible issues.
• It was a film that failed at first, but was later recognized and considered a cult work for its influence.

The film follows the track of three go-go dancers who, after a night of work, leave in search of trouble. In the middle of the California desert, they find the trail of a couple and end up kidnapping the young woman.

20. Fight Club (1999)

Director: David Fincher
Why is it cult:

• Critics did not welcome the film, nor was the load of violence that some of its scenes constitute was well accepted.
• It contains a great critique of American society and its way of life. Despite this, years later it managed to establish itself as a cult film.

The story revolves around an ordinary man, who is not satisfied with his personal life, much less with his professional life, he also suffers from insomnia. He soon founds an underground club, together with Tyler Durder, a soap salesman, where people meet every night who want to vent their frustrations through fighting.

You can also see: Fight Club Movie

21. The Thing (1982)

Director: John carpenter
Why is it cult:

• It had a resounding failure at the box office that it managed to solve by becoming a recognized film with the passage of the years thanks to its video distribution, especially among lovers of horror movies and Science fiction.

In a scientific station, a group of North American researchers discover a strange entity that comes from space and that seems to have remained there for many years. Chaos will soon begin as the alien experiences amazing mutations and changes.

22. Harold and Maude (1971)

Direction: Hal ashby
Why is it cult:

• It is a film to which the critics and the public turned their backs on its premiere, it took more than 10 years until it managed to recover the investment.
• The film is loaded with black humor and stands out for the unusual love story of its protagonists.

The story revolves around Harold, a 20-year-old boy, obsessed with the theme of death. To the point that his only hobby is attending funerals and funerals, also simulating different forms of suicide. Soon, the protagonist meets Maude, an old woman who will teach him to appreciate life and with whom he will start a relationship that goes from friendship to love.

23. The rocky horror picture show (1975)

Direction: Jill sharman
Why is it cult:

• The film is an adaptation of a musical by Richard O'Brien that was performed in London theaters. Although the film was a resounding failure.
• It contains provocative scenes in which science fiction and eroticism mix.
• Today it is considered a cult film thanks to the fact that a group of fans decided to meet every year in a New York movie theater, making this failure a true myth.

The film focuses on a couple who, after returning from a friends' wedding, have a car accident in the middle of a storm. They have no choice but to seek refuge in a nearby castle. There, a mysterious man named Frank N-Fruster is making a kind of Frankenstein, a man designed to his liking.

24. Dawn that is not little (1989)

Direction: Jose Luis Cuerda
Why is it cult:

• It is considered a cult film, especially among the most unconditional of the director's filmography. At the time of its premiere it was not a great success at the box office.
• The film stands out for its surreal dialogues and situations in which there is no shortage of themes such as: eroticism, religion or death.

Teodoro, a Spanish professor at the University of Oklahoma, returns home to take a year off. There he discovers that his father has killed his mother and, to make up for what he has done, he decides to give his son a motorcycle with a sidecar. Soon, father and son embark on a journey that will take them to a town where unusual events and surreal situations do not stop happening.

25. Inside the Labyrinth (1987)

Direction: Jim Henson
Why is it cult:

• When this film was released it did not have too many followers, however, its commercialization on tape and its distribution through Video stores helped it to resurface and become a cult film and one of the great classics of fantasy cinema of its decade.

This title is an icon of the fantasy cinema of the 80s and tells the story of Sarah, a teenager who ventures to travel a labyrinth with the mission to rescue her little brother Toby, who has been kidnapped by some goblins and is now in the hands of the King Jareth. There, the girl discovers that things are not as she believed.

26. Starship Troopers: Space Brigades (1997)

Direction: Paul verhoeven
Why is it cult:

• It failed at the box office and was poorly compared to the novel of the same name from which its plot starts. However, its subsequent commercialization outside theaters made it gain followers and today it has cult status.
• It is a film that served as a sociopolitical criticism in which black humor and blood prevail.

In the distant future, insect-like aliens threaten planet Earth and seek to dominate it. Given this, humans plan to defend themselves and end the plague. A group of young people enlist in the army to fight in the space brigades against these beings, among them is Johnny Rico.

27. The Unicorn (1975)

Director: Louis Malle
Why is it cult:

• This film was well received by critics and also by a specialized audience.
• It develops a story that borders on surrealism that makes us reflect on human folly through absurd characters.

In an indefinite place and time, a war takes place between men and women. A woman tries to flee while she chases a unicorn that directs her to a rural house secluded from her. There lives an old woman who is breastfed by a young woman, also a boy who does not speak and there are children who are dedicated to playing with strange animals and with a unicorn.

28. Pink Flamingos (1972)

Director: John waters
Why is it cult:

• It contains scenes not suitable for susceptibility due to the explicit and disgusting nature of some of them.
• Its premiere generated controversy but since then it has gained loyal fans.

Divine lives in a caravan with his mother, his son, a young criminal, and his girlfriend.

Soon, the protagonist is labeled as "the filthiest person in the world." For his part, the Marble couple, a couple dedicated to drug trafficking and baby theft, intend to take the title from him.

29. Kung Pow! Enter the First (2002)

Direction: Steve Oedekerk
Why is it cult:

• It had a terrible reception by the critics, but over the years, the faithful followers of the comedy have valued her for her wit and for her way of making fun of the oriental action cinema of the 70's.
• The story thrives on absurd humor, especially in its fight scenes.

The Chosen One is the protagonist of this cult comedy, which has to take revenge on Master Plain, the man who destroyed his family. To fulfill his mission, he has the help of Tang and the queen of karate. A cow that knows well how she must face her enemies through martial arts.

30. Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)

Direction: Ed wood
Why is it cult:

• It is considered by many as "one of the worst movies ever made."
• It is known for its countless racord failures. It is created by the director who carries the recognition of "the worst film director of all time".
• The credit for the cult status is due in part to the film Ed Wood (1994) by Tim Burton, a biopic of the director, in which the filming process of the film appears very well portrayed.

The film revolves around a couple who move near a cemetery. In the place, they will witness surprising events related to a group of aliens that is willing to invade the earth and, to do so, raise the dead. Meanwhile, the police are trying to investigate what happened.