Commercial Failures To Cult Classics
A lot of factors determine the making of a blockbuster hit. Sometimes, even when everything seems to be done right, the stars just don't align at the box office.
Another Day, Another Nay
Films can flop at the box office for many reasons: bad marketing, exorbitant production budgets, or even just inconvenient release dates. Read on to discover the humble beginnings of some cult classics that were ahead of their time.
Flickr, Michigan Municipal League
Fight Club
This 1999 movie, starring Brad Pitt, is exactly what you'd imagine it to be from the title. Upon its release on October 15, the film, which had a $63 million budget, grossed only $11 million in weekend ticket sales. Not a good look.
Fox 2000 Pictures, Fight Club (1999)
Project Mayhem
The film follows an insomniac office employee who meets a soap salesman and forms an underground fight club. This is a form of rebellion and male bonding, and the club grows until it becomes an anarchistic organization called Project Mayhem, which spreads chaos and violence.
Fight Club (1999), Regency Enterprises
Pride After A Fall
Despite this box office flop, it went on to become a cult classic, currently rated 80% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics said it's a poignant statement on modern society, while others were put off by the graphic violence. But ask anyone the first rule of fight club, and they'll know it.
Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
Clue
Based on the board game Cluedo and directed by Jonathan Lynn, the 1985 black comedy mystery film had a disappointing run at the theaters. Critics had praised the star-studded cast but noted the thin screenplay. They didn't have a clue of how far the film would come.
Clue, 1985, Paramount Pictures
It's A Murder Mystery
Six guests arrive at Hill House in New England after being anonymously invited to a dinner party there. Each of the guests goes by the pseudonyms given to them by the butler, Wadsworth, on arrival. What began as an intriguing night turns into a murderous affair.
Living The Game
The guests scramble to identify a killer amongst themselves responsible for the death of their host, Mr. Boddy. Their panic intensifies with the realization that the culprit is not done murdering. Interestingly, the film has multiple endings, an attempt to mirror the game.
Genre Of Its Own
Although the film and its different endings were viewed as gimmicky by early critics, Clue has gone on to become a favorite for midnight screenings and an influence for future films like Knives Out. Any takers for Mrs.White, with a knife, in the hall?
Donnie Darko
The enigmatic film is probably one of the greatest of all time, with two successful re-releases in 2004 and 2016, followed by a director's cut release in 2017. Directed by Richard Kelly, the movie follows a troubled teenager, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, whose story is unbelievable.
What's That Supposed To Mean?
He escapes death by the breadth of a hair only to be haunted by a person in a rabbit costume who tells him of impending doom in 28 days. The film is simultaneously notorious and popular because of its open-ended conclusion, leaving the audience puzzled.
Terrible Timing
The film first released six weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks. Since it featured a jet engine accident, its box office success was severely affected, leading it to flop. Talk about seizing the inopportunity. Currently, though, Donnie Darko has an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Donnie Darko (2001), Pandora Cinema
The Room
The Room is a 2003 cult-classic movie that is written, directed, produced, and led by Tommy Wiseau. Phew! It is infamous for its subpar production quality, incoherent plot structure, and melodramatic acting style, quite possibly running as a contender for the worst films ever made.
A Series of Confusing Circumstances
The plot unravels as Johnny, a man living the dream with his wife, Lisa, eventually discovers that she has been cheating on him with his best friend, Mark. This is followed up by a series of bizarre character interactions strung together by a nonsensical storyline.
Tommy Wiseau, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
So Bad That It's Good?
To say that the critics despised this movie is an understatement. The film has repulsed viewers worldwide, who have given it a 24% on Rotten Tomatoes, but at the same time gained a niche fan base who appreciated its humorous absurdity. Pays to be hate-watched, huh?
Why The Room Is Awesome by Blake Siefken
Blade Runner
Featuring leading man Harrison Ford and directed by science fiction savant Ridley Scott, you'd think Blade Runner, a loose adaptation of Philip K Dick's work Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, would be a box office hit, right?
The Curse Of Mediocrity
Wrong. The film only grossed around $33 million against its budget of $28 million in 1982. While it's not the worst-performing movie on this list, it definitely struggled against its competitors. Since then, it has been nominated for two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe.
Warner Bros., Blade Runner (1982)
Experiencing Existentialism
The film is set in Los Angeles in 2019, where a retired police officer is tasked with killing bioengineered human replicants who have escaped back to Earth from off-world colonies. His confrontations with them lead him to philosophical wonderings of what it means to be human.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is written after a musical called The Rocky Horror Show and directed by Jim Sharman. It captures the encounter between a young couple stranded at a remote castle and its eccentric inhabitants, including Dr.Frank-N-Furter and his latest creation, Rocky Horror.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show,Twentieth Century Fox
Maestro At Midnight Screenings
Starting out as a box office failure, The Rocky Horror Picture Show gained its status as a cult classic through midnight screenings, characterized by an interactive audience that dresses up and shouts lines. It has the longest-running theatrical release in history and record levels of fan flamboyance.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show,Twentieth Century Fox
Something For Everybody
The memorable film is representative of the queer community and culturally significant for its B-movie style, pop-rock atmosphere, and horror element. It has had considerable influence over popular culture and music, especially because of its unique blend of various genres. It's also an iconic Halloween staple.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, an exemplary children's movie, has gone through several remakes till date. Its burgeoning popularity began with the 1971 musical fantasy adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel named Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, directed by Mel Stuart and featuring Gene Wilder.
Wolper Pictures, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Win Some, Lose Some
The musical adaptation did not do well in the box office, resulting in Paramount Pictures selling it to Warner Brothers. This was a blessing in disguise, causing a surge in the film's popularity after repeated television airings. It has been nominated for multiple awards since, including the Oscars.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Warner Bros.
The Golden Ticket
The movie follows Charlie Bucket, a child who has found one of the five golden tickets hidden in the Wonka chocolate bars. This grants him a tour of Willy Wonka's factory, where he and four other children face peculiar consequences for their behavior. A dream and a nightmare altogether.
Dazed And Confused
Dazed And Confused has had to have had the most prophetic cast of all movies in history. A coming-of-age film directed by Richard Linklater, it features a host of actors who'd go on to become future stars. This includes Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, and more.
Dazed and Confused (1993), Gramercy Pictures
Web Of Lives
There is no central plot or protagonist in the film, rather, it paints a picture of the interconnected lives of multiple teenagers as they navigate through high school, culminating in their experiences on the last day. A variety of social groups are portrayed through the comforting movie.
Where It All Began
Despite its early failure at the box office, the movie has accomplished many achievements. It garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, who have called it "art crossed with anthropology." It's also been credited with launching the careers of its cast, particularly that of Matthew McConaughey.
The Shawshank Redemption
This incredible feat of a movie has definitely gone down in history as one of the greatest films ever made, being likened to others in its league, like It's A Wonderful Life. It particularly stands out in an ocean of cinematographic and storytelling achievements. But why?
The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Castle Rock Entertainment
King Of The Concrete Jungle
The empowering narrative of the resilient human spirit. Starring Morgan Freeman alongside Tim Robbins, The Shawshank Redemption was directed by Frank Darabont who based it off of Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption. It's received seven Academy Award nominations, notwithstanding its initial lack of recognition.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Castle Rock
Incarceration To Inspiration
The story tells of a banker, wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Sent to the Shawshank State Penitentiary, he befriends Ellis Redding, growing close to him. Eventually, he devises and executes an escape and reunites with Redding after he is paroled. Anybody chopping onions?
The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Castle Rock
Sucker Punch
Released in 2011 and featuring a notable cast and crew, Sucker Punch takes the brunt for one of the worst commercial fails on this list. It is directed by Zack Snyder, known for his appealing visual style, but grossed only $89.8 million worldwide against a $83 million budget.
Ouch! That Hurt
Adding to the chagrin is its 22% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the general consensus being a lack of plot and character development. Conversely, many fans of the movie argue that its deeper commentary on women empowerment and psychological trauma overshadow the production pitfalls.
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Delulu Is (Not) The Solulu
The plot begins with a young woman named Babydoll being admitted into a psychiatric facility by her abusive stepfather. Facing a future lobotomy, Babydoll dissociates into her own fantasy world, where she and her female inmates try to escape the institution by beating video game-like obstacles.
Stefan Schubert, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Hugo
Hugo is a widely-acclaimed holiday film set in 1930 in Paris narrating the story of a young orphaned boy who earns by maintaining train station's clocks while he embarks on a side quest to fix a broken automation given to him by his father.
Hugo (2011), Paramount Pictures
A Piece Of Art
The movie, which was released in 2011 and directed by Martin Scorsese, got overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics and casual viewers alike, with a 93% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes. It was seen as a universally touching homage to the magic of cinema.
Caving Into Competition
For all its glorious reviews, the film ended up doing badly at the box office, causing the production studio significant losses. This was mostly due to the competition from other holiday releases at the time. Hugo later went on to redeem itself by winning five Academy Awards.
It's A Wonderful Life
Another wonderful holiday classic on the list, It's A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart and directed by Frank Capra, walks the line between sentimentally unrealistic and inspiringly warm and optimistic. While the former was the prevailing opinion about the movie at first…
RKO, It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Manger To Mainstream
The turn of the tide changed matters for the film. After its unremarkable release in 1946, it eventually fell out of copyright and began being broadcast on television, helping the once inconspicuous movie become well-known and loved by young and old alike. How the turn tables!
A Warm Cup Of Hot Chocolate
The movie opens with a disturbed and drunk protagonist, George Bailey, contemplating suicide on a bridge. That's when prayers in his name are answered from Heaven, and a second-class angel is sent down to save him by showing him how his life has impacted the people around him.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946), RKO Radio Pictures
Highlander
This legendary film is of the action-fantasy genre, and consists of noteworthy contributions in different capacities. It is directed by Russell Mulcahy and stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown. Additionally, the soundtrack for the movie was recorded by the magnificent rock band Queen.
Highlander (1986), Davis-Panzer Productions
Off With Their Heads!
Released in 1986, this film revolves around a group of immortals who are invincible except through decapitation. More specifically, it focuses on the journey of Connor MacLeod, the protagonist, as he discovers he is one of these beings and fights his way to "The Prize."
Highlander,20th Century Studios
Founding Father
As with the film The Room, Highlander received critical reviews regarding its acting style and melting-pot-of-genres method of production. But unlike the former film, this one went on to lay the foundation for various sequels and spinoffs which would see better success. They rocked the sci-fi scene for good!
Highlander,20th Century Studios
Heathers
Heathers can be considered a darker precursor to Mean Girls and other teen-angst-y high school movies: before 13 Reasons Why, there was Heathers. This tragicomedy is a unique blend of dark humor and morbid themes set in a rather polarizing environment.
New World Pictures, Heathers (1988)
Cutting To The Chase
Indeed, the film itself is polarizing, with critics being divided over their reaction to it. It began by provoking a sharply negative critique from most, who, in retrospect, began to appreciate the boldness of the movie and the themes it deals with.
Mama, I Just Killed A Man
The movie follows Veronica, who becomes a member of her school's popular girl group named Heather. Rebelling against their cruelty, she begins dating JD, a new kid. Together, they accidentally poison the clique leader, leading JD down a dark spiral of murders. Weirder than Riverdale, I must say.
