Buzz
Numerous cult classic films have generated substantial revenue through home video sales, including VHS and DVD, as well as rentals (remember those?). Some have even become cultural landmarks. However, many of these movies with dedicated fanbases initially struggled at the box office. Whether due to being misunderstood, facing tough competition, or receiving harsh reviews, several beloved films now considered cult classics were once labeled as box office failures. Here are 10 cult classics that initially underperformed.
10. Donnie Darko (2001)
The 2001 film Donnie Darko, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a troubled teenager haunted by apocalyptic visions from a sinister rabbit named “Frank,” has since garnered a significant cult following. Produced on a $6 million budget, the film earned less than $1.5 million during its theatrical run. Initial test screenings were so poorly received that a direct-to-video release was considered. Critics praised its dark themes and performances, but audiences found it too unconventional, leading to its box office failure. However, Donnie Darko thrived on home video, earning over $10 million in DVD sales and being re-released on Blu-ray multiple times. Today, it is celebrated as a modern sci-fi classic.
9. Office Space (1999)
Who doesn’t adore Office Space? Written and directed by Mike Judge, known for Beavis and Butt-head and King of the Hill, the film brilliantly satirizes the tech industry and modern office culture. Despite being nearly two decades old, its humor and relevance remain timeless. Although Office Space has developed a massive cult following through home video and inspired numerous comedies, it was far from a box office success upon its 1999 release. Produced on a $10 million budget, it barely broke even, earning $10 million in theaters. Its true success came with home video sales, where it outperformed blockbuster There’s Something About Mary in initial DVD sales. Over the past decade, Office Space has sold over six million DVD and Blu-ray copies, solidifying its status as a home video bestseller since 2006.
8. Dazed and Confused (1993)
This nostalgic portrayal of 1970s high school life is a Gen X favorite, but it struggled at the box office in 1993. Made for under $15 million, it earned just under $8 million. Director Richard Linklater’s decision to cast then-unknown actors like Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, and Parker Posey contributed to its initial failure. Milla Jovovich, the most recognizable name at the time, couldn’t save it. However, the film has since thrived on home video, with a Criterion Collection HD release in 2006. Quentin Tarantino even named it one of the top 10 greatest films of all time in a 2002 Sight and Sound poll.
7. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension! (1984)
Audiences were baffled by The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension! upon its 1984 release. Was it a comedy, sci-fi, or adventure film? The story of a multi-talented hero battling inter-dimensional aliens was too unconventional for mainstream viewers. Competing against heavyweights like Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, it flopped, earning only $6 million on a $20 million budget. However, it found new life on home video, selling well on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray. Wired celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009, and Entertainment Weekly ranked it #43 on its “Top 50 Cult Movies” list.
6. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Regarded as the pioneer of mockumentaries, This Is Spinal Tap is now celebrated as one of the greatest comedies of all time. Despite its current acclaim, the mockumentary style was neither popular nor widely understood when the film debuted in 1984. Produced for $10 million, it earned a mere $4.5 million at the box office, marking a significant disappointment. However, it became a VHS sensation in the 1980s and has since achieved iconic status, with two theatrical re-releases. It has been honored with a 25th-anniversary Blu-ray edition, a Criterion Collection DVD release, and a spot on the New York Times list of the greatest films ever made, regardless of genre.
5. Repo Man (1984)
Another misunderstood gem from 1984, Repo Man, directed by avant-garde filmmaker Alex Cox, blends sci-fi and comedy. Starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton as car repossession agents entangled in a UFO conspiracy, the film was praised by critics but deemed too eccentric for mainstream audiences. Despite winning “Best Screenplay” from the Boston Society of Film Critics in 1984, it grossed only $129,000 against a $5 million budget. Over time, Repo Man has gained a devoted cult following, boasts a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and ranks No. 7 on Entertainment Weekly’s “Top 50 Cult Films” list. Far out, indeed!
4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Today, The Rocky Horror Picture Show stands as a quintessential cult classic, arguably the most iconic of its kind. Each Halloween, theaters re-release the film, allowing fans to gather and perform the “Time Warp” in unison. Over the past 42 years, the movie has earned $113 million at the box office, far surpassing its original $1.5 million budget. However, its 1975 debut saw a mere $2 million in earnings, as audiences were initially unsettled by its transvestite and cross-dressing characters, as well as the violent axe murder of Meatloaf. Over time, the film cultivated a devoted fanbase, evolving into a cultural phenomenon. Now, it consistently sells out theaters every Halloween. Additionally, it has been one of the priciest home video releases, with a 1990 VHS edition featuring documentary extras retailing for $90.
3. Showgirls (1995)
Initially panned by critics in 1995, Showgirls has since amassed a dedicated cult following drawn to its over-the-top campiness and biting cattiness. The film follows a street-smart drifter who rises through Las Vegas’s seedy underworld from stripper to showgirl, starring Elizabeth Berkley of Saved By The Bell fame. It earned a record number of Razzie Award nominations in 1995, celebrating the year’s worst films. Critic Roger Ebert’s most generous remark was that it “isn’t completely terrible.” Today, however, Showgirls enjoys midnight screenings across the U.S., embraced by fans who revel in its “so bad, it’s good” charm. Many ironically hail it as one of the “best bad movies” ever made. Despite a modest $20 million gross on a $45 million budget, the film has since raked in over $100 million from video rentals, securing its place among MGM’s top 20 bestsellers.
2. Withnail and I (1987)
In certain circles, especially in the UK, Withnail and I reigns supreme as the ultimate cult film. This 1987 comedy chronicles the misadventures of two struggling actors in London, whose lives revolve around drinking and evading responsibility. Packed with unforgettable one-liners, the film has become a beloved classic, despite its initial box office failure, earning just $1.5 million worldwide. Over time, it has been celebrated as one of the finest black comedies ever made. In 2000, Total Film readers ranked it the third greatest comedy of all time, and in 2004, it was named the 13th greatest British film. Over three decades, Withnail and I has generated over $50 million in home video sales and remains a staple at global film festivals. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of this underdog film. As the saying goes, “Don’t mix your drinks!”
1. Heathers (1988)
The 1988 film Heathers catapulted Winona Ryder to stardom and introduced audiences to Christian Slater. Praised by critics upon its release, it is now celebrated as one of the finest black comedies and a standout in the high school genre. The story revolves around a group of high school girls, all named Heather, and follows Christian Slater’s unhinged character as he methodically eliminates the popular clique, with Ryder’s character reluctantly involved. Despite its critical acclaim for its dark themes and Slater’s riveting performance, the movie’s controversial subject matter led to its initial box office failure, earning just $1.1 million. Over time, however, Heathers has earned its place as a cult classic. In 2006, Entertainment Weekly ranked it No. 5 on its list of the “50 Best High School Movies,” and in 2008, Empire magazine placed it at No. 412 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time.” The film’s legacy continues to grow, inspiring a stage musical and an upcoming television series adaptation.
