Good (and bad) movies come and go, but some films garner such a fierce, loyal following that they reach cult status. People watch them over and over and over again. They host parties to watch them some more. Midnight showings at movie theaters draw incredible crowds, and oftentimes, fans “act out” the scenes in front of the screen.
Actors who happened to have been in cult movies enjoy lifetimes of stardom (to one extent or another) and can probably make a living signing autographs at events and Comic-Con ad nauseam.
Are you a huge fan of any cult classic? Here are some favorites below. Weigh in with the ones you can’t get enough of!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Rocky Horror probably enjoys more midnight showings across America than any other film. Not only do individual fans act out the scenes before the huge crowds, but the entire audience gets involved by spraying water guns during rain scenes and throwing rice for the wedding. If you love this movie, then you can surely do the Time Warp without thinking twice.
The Big Lebowski
The Dude abides. If you know a thing or two about a rug that can tie a room together, or the protocol for bowling on shomer Shabbos, then you might have drunk the Lebowski kool-aid. The dream sequences and soundtrack are trippy enough for anyone to fall hard, but Jeff Bridges’ and John Goodman’s acting in this film—- a Coen brother favorite — are top notch.
Heathers
The original Mean Girls, Heathers is everything that we wish high school wasn’t (but perhaps is, to some extent). We love how ’80s this movie is with stars Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, and we can’t forget that this was Shannen Doherty’s moment even before 90210 hit the scene.
The Room
“Why, Lisa, why, WHY?!” This is arguably the WORST MOVIE EVER MADE. But, like a train wreck, you simply cannot turn away. Everything from the awkward sex scenes to the unrealistic dialogue is cringe-worthy, but it’s impossible not to see how much Tommy Wiseau just goes for it in this movie. He clearly doesn’t care (or know?) that his project is utter garbage — he commits fully. This one was so bad in the best way that James Franco made a movie about it called The Disaster Artist.
Clerks
This is pure, unadulterated Kevin Smith. The film shows just what a clever filmmaker can do with a micro-budget (it was shot for just over $27,000, and raked in $3.2 million at the box office). The dialogue is on-point, as is the comedic timing of the actors. Plus, who can resist a little Jay and Silent Bob?
Fight Club
If you know the first rule, then you might be indoctrinated. The film was controversial from the moment it was released — mostly due to its explicit violence. But the writing and acting were stellar, and the plot twist at the end had many people slapping their foreheads for not having seen it coming. Watching Ed Norton and Brad Pitt play on-screen for two and a half hours is boatloads of fun.
The Princess Bride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYgcrny2hRs
“As yooouuuu wiiiiish!” Just as Peter Falk’s character tells his grandson, played by Fred Savage, in the beginning of the movie, this story has everything: “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles.” But perhaps the most fun comes from the on-screen chemistry — not only between Robin Wright and Cary Elwes, but among Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Christopher Guest. With quotable line after quotable line, the entire film is a giant bowl of candy for any avid movie-goer. It’s pure fun through and through.
This is Spinal Tap
This one definitely goes to 11. While this was a relatively early film for Christopher Guest, it has absolutely endured the test of time. The mockumentary was directed by Rob Reiner and features star after star. Not surprisingly, it was deemed “culturally significant” by the Library of Congress.
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