Cult classics are popular with audiences old and new. These films sell nostalgia, showcase vibrant aesthetics, and feature memorable characters. Despite some having limited budgets and initial box office failure, these movies have found a dedicated fan base.
To become a cult classic, a film’s success needs to come as a surprise and not fit with mainstream expectations. In addition, these films are highly quotable and have fan screenings. Keep reading to learn more about our 10 best 80’s cult classic movies.
1. The Evil Dead (1981)
The Evil Dead is a low-budget independent horror film directed by Sam Raimi. It’s well known for Bruce Campbell’s performance, dark humor, and stop-motion effects. The film initially played poorly in American cinemas but later became a sleeper hit overseas.
In 1984, it was one of the Video Nasty films banned from VHS release. Even so, it’s become a franchise with five sequels and a TV series. Of all cult classics, The Evil Dead is the most financially successful and one of the greatest horror films of all time.
2. The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club is a coming-of-age drama about five teenagers in school detention. Throughout the film, the teens from different backgrounds come together and break down stereotypes. The movie explores teen life, peer pressure, and parental expectations.
Cult films are known for their memorable imagery and music. The Breakfast Club is renowned for its theme song, Don’t You (Forget About Me), by Simple Minds. It also features a famous final shot: a freeze frame of actor Judd Nelson raising his fist in the air.
3. Dune (1984)
David Lynch adapted John Herbert’s epic science fiction novel. The story follows Paul on a mission to save his planet from an evil alien race. Surrealist filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky wrote the screenplay but failed to get funding, so Lynch took over.
This is one cult classic movie that flopped at the box office. The film received terrible reviews but slowly built up a cult following. Film fans love the world-building, VFX, and soundtrack. However, it’s a hard film to watch, coming in at over 3 hours long.
4. Flash Gordon (1980)
Another science fiction epic, this time based on a comic book. The film follows Flash, who fights to save the galaxy from the evil villain Ming the Merciless. It had a much lower budget than Dune and initially flopped at the box office but later gained a cult following.
Flash Gordon is a cult classic among science fiction and fantasy fans. Director Edgar Wright notes that it was one of his favorite films that inspired him to become a filmmaker. It’s also a highly quotable film with a memorable theme tune and striking visual effects.
5. Videodrome (1983)
Videodrome is a body horror film by director David Cronenberg. The film follows Max, a television programmer who stumbles upon a TV show that controls his mind. The movie is filled with iconic imagery and impressive visual effects.
Notably, it explores modern themes such as media distrust and the interaction between humans and technology. It’s also an independent film made on a low movie budget, with no initial box office success, but later found a cult following through VHS tapes.
6. They Live (1988)
Next, we have John Carpenter’s horror film based on a short story. It follows a drifter who discovers through special sunglasses that the ruling class are aliens. The film explores political themes of war, capitalism, the wealth gap, and global warming.
They Live was shot on a fairly low budget and sold as a B-movie. It initially received negative reviews, which criticized the acting and social issues. However, it gained a cult following, and the audiences praised the film for daring to tackle difficult subjects.
7. Withnail and I (1987)
The British black comedy, written by Bruce Robinson, is loosely based on his experiences as a struggling actor. It’s an independent film, shot on a low budget and received initial poor reviews. However, it later found a cult following, particularly among students.
Withnail and I failed to find a cinema deal, so they heavily relied on the VHS release. It’s known for actor Richard E. Grants’ performance, dark humor, and quotable dialogue. This is another example of a cult classic movie that originally failed but later found success.
8. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Next, we have another film by John Carpenter, an action fantasy film starring Kurt Russell. The film tells the story of Jack Burton, who helps his friend Wang Chi rescue his fiancée from an evil bandit. Despite positive audience reviews, the film was a box office failure.
As with all cult classics, it gained a following later and grew an audience from home video tapes. Studios were surprised by its success as it mixed genres and themes. It’s also a highly quotable film, with memorable characters and colorful mise en scene.
9. The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers is a musical comedy directed by John Landis. It follows the brothers Jake and Elwood, who are on a mission from god to save a children’s orphanage. Although the film had box office success, it achieved cult status due to its audience participation.
It is not a typically successful studio film because of its excessive profanity and dark humor. Plus, it’s still popular with audiences today, and it is doing very well overseas in markets like Japan. One crucial aspect of a cult film is its ability to keep attracting new audiences.
10. The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride is an American fantasy comedy directed by Rob Reiner. It tells the story of a farm boy rescuing his true love, Princess Buttercup, from an evil prince. The film had modest success at the box office, and poor reviews but later became a cult hit.
In particular, it’s a highly quotable film, such as Wallace Shawn’s performance. The Princess Bride has had numerous theatre runs and live readings worldwide. It’s another great example of how films have a way of bringing people together long after the film’s box office release.
Wrapping Up
In the 80s, it was possible to make an independent film and have it compete with the studios. Because of this, filmmakers took more risks with dark humor and extravagant set designs. These films often mix themes and use symbolism to touch upon modern issues.
Despite not doing well in theatres, cult films continue to make money and gain new fans. Plus, many of them have special fan screenings, some with audience participation events.
