Even though it was a failure at the box office, it seems as if Morbius is sure to become a camp classic. The power of cult classics, of course, is that they manage to attain a level of popularity that they struggled to attain when they originally aired.
Indeed, they stand as a rebuke to the standards of good taste and popular success. However, though they usually attain their own devoted fans, Reddit users have identified a number of important cult classics that they simply can’t bring themselves to enjoy.
Pink Flamingos (1972)
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Throughout his career, John Waters has made a point of using his best movies to poke fun at the pretentiousness of mainstream culture. In fact, he openly embraces bad and gross taste, which is what makes some of his movies, like Pink Flamingos, such a delightful travesty to witness. However, they are not for everyone.
As CrewIndependent9252 writes: “Heard its reputation for being disgusting and repulsive and I got to say it did its job of delivering but it's not at all my cup of tea.” Clearly, bad taste can only go so far.
Eraserhead (1977)
Stream On HBO Max
David Lynch is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most unique directors, with many notable movies to his name. However, it has to be said that some of his movies can be almost narratively impenetrable, and this is especially true of Eraserhead, which is a strange fever dream of a movie. Despite its strangeness, it has still managed to accrue a very devoted following.
However, even among some of the director’s fans, it has its detractors, with ZeppoBro bluntly stating: “Eraserhead is borderline unwatchable, and I'm a huge Lynch geek.”
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Stream On Hulu
Napoleon Dynamite is a decidedly strange movie but this is no surprise, given that it stars Jon Heder- who made his career in strange movies- in the title role. It makes the most out of his deadpan comedic talents, and he ably captures the awkwardness and vexations of high school life. Though the movie has continued to accrue a devoted fan base, it has not been to the liking of some users on Reddit.
Redditor DeTrash has this to say: “I feel like I watched a completely different movie to everyone else. I didn't find it the least bit entertaining.” It is definitely the type of movie that is for die-hard fans alone.
Labyrinth (1986)
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There are many things to enjoy about Labyrinth, which is arguably one of the best fantasy movies ever made. With its quirky aesthetic – made most evident in the casting of David Bowie as the king of the goblins – and its use of Jim Henson’s unique creatures, it has subsequently developed a very devoted fan base, many of whom love the movie precisely because it is so strange.
Some Redditors, though, such as jjevans1970, are particularly critical of what they view as the movie’s shortcomings, writing: “Aside from two very notable musical portions the rest is a drawn out borefest that feels like the filmmakers made up as they went along.” While the movie is likely not entertaining to everyone, and many love it for nostalgia's sake, it is difficult to describe it as boring as an action-adventure story.
The Lost Boys (1987)
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Many movies have taken vampires as their subject, but some have come to be regarded as classics of the genre, while others have disappeared. The Lost Boys is usually understood to be in the former camp, possessing as it does a unique sense of humor and approach to its subject.
Thus, it’s not surprising that many continue to be drawn to it, though it’s not to everyone’s liking. JannTosh12 says they were disappointed in the movie “because I was expecting a Straight horror film and it ended up being more of a comedy.” For some, it is precisely the movie’s mixture of genres that ultimately keeps it from being appealing.
Blade Runner (1982)
Stream On Netflix
Ridley Scott has directed a number of notable science fiction movies, many of which have come to be seen as key to the genre. Though it was a mixed success upon its release, Blade Runner – with its mixture of science fiction, film noir, and action – steadily grew a following, who appreciated its gritty aesthetic and its powerful performances from Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer.
However, some find it a bit of a slog, such as rrow20, who writes: “I love the visuals and the aesthetic and the music but I just can’t get into it as a movie, although Roy’s death is obviously a beautiful and iconic moment in a movie I otherwise find really boring.”
Re-Animator (1985)
Stream On Tubi
Many movies have taken bringing the dead back to life as their subject, but few with quite the biting sense of humor as Re-Animator. Its unique horror and humor touch is in large part a result of its being based on a novelette from H.P. Lovecraft, arguably one of the finest horror writers of the last century. Unfortunately, it failed to impress some users of Reddit.
Throwaway_Codex, for example, writes: “I had never gotten around to watching it until a few years ago. It was okay, just not spectacular. I think I preferred From Beyond to it.”
Donnie Darko (2001)
Stream On Hulu
Jake Gyllenhaal has been in many notable roles, but arguably one of his best is as the title character in Donnie Darko. It is the perfect encapsulation of early 2000s teenage angst, as Gyllenhaal portrays a very angsty young man tormented with visions of the future. Given its sinister–and mind-bending plot–it’s not surprising that it would become a movie beloved by its cult audience.
Fairyrainbows was less than enthralled with the movie, however, writing that they “didn’t quite get the hype about it! I thought it was decent but I wouldn’t watch it again I don’t think.”
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Stream On Prime Video
Jennifer’s Body is another paradigmatic example of a cult movie, in large part because it takes the conventions of the horror movie and employs them for searing feminist commentary. Focusing on two female best friends – one of whom becomes a succubus – it is the type of movie whose protagonist can be seen as reclaiming her own bodily agency.
Victinibel was not a fan of the movie, writing: “I couldn’t get past Diablo Cody’s dialogue. It’s just very much not for me.” Clearly, not everyone was in tune with the movie’s particular brand of horror.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Not Available To Stream
Tim Burton has been responsible for many great movies, but it seems as if Mars Attacks! is fated to never be seen as among his greats. It is clearly a loving spoof of the many alien movies of the 1950s, and it boasts a tremendous cast and Burton’s particularly unique cinematic imagination.
Unfortunately, though it would go on to develop a very strong cult following, not everyone was on board with its status. SatansMoisture “couldn't get into it because it was so full of A list movie stars that it was distracting from everything else in the film. Maybe that was the point?”