Films that may not do initially well in the box office sometimes gain what is called a cult following, or followings from niche groups of people. Many films have gained cult followings, which allow them to withstand the test of time when they were not anticipated to after they were not initially received well.
Cult films, like mainstream films, have become more accessible by being offered through various streaming services, allowing for their followings to grow. However, unfortunately, not all cult films are available through these services. Here are ten classics that are not available to stream through all of the different streaming services.
Zoolander (2001)
Zoolander is a film starring Ben Stiller as the titular character, Derek Zoolander, a well-established model who gains a rival through Hansel (played by Owen Wilson), an up-and-coming model. While looking for ways to maintain his success and stay out of Hansel's shadow, he agrees to work for fashion design giant, Mugatu (Will Ferrell), who brainwashes him to murder the Prime Minister of Malaysia so that Zoolander's career will be ruined and Mugatu can continue to exploit child labor in the country.
Zoolander, with the help of Matilda (Christine Taylor), a journalist researching Mugatu and his shady business practices, breaks away from his brainwashing and saves the Prime Minister and stops Mugatu.
Pineapple Express (2008)
Pineapple Express is a stoner comedy about Dale Denton (Seth Rogen), a stoner, and his dealer Saul Silver (James Franco) who are on the run from hitmen after witnessing Dale's neighbor and a police officer shoot and kill a man. While on the run, they learn that Dale's neighbor is actually a drug lord, increasing the urgency for their need to leave the city.
After a run-in with the police, Dale and Saul face Dale's neighbor and several mobsters who are also involved in the whole affair. Dale and Saul ultimately defeat their opponents and are the sole survivors of the encounter.
Bedazzled (2000)
This 2000 remake of the 1967 film of the same name follows Elliot (Brendan Fraser), a socially awkward man in love with his coworker Abigail (Frances O'Connor). In order to make himself more likeable and win over Abigail, he makes a deal with the devil (Elizabeth Hurley).
The devil grants Eliot six of his seven wishes, each coming with its own twist that shows him that the lifestyle he desires isn't all that it seems to be. After some turmoil and a stint in both jail and in hell, Elliot uses his final wish to make sure Abigail is happy with or without him. Because of the selflessness of his act, the deal is void and Elliot returns to his original life, but this time more confident and sure of himself.
Office Space (1999)
Office Space is a comedy film by Mike Judge (also known for Beevis and Butthead and Silicon Valley, among other comedies) satirizing daily life at a tech company in the 1990s. The main character Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) and his coworkers become fed up with the office environment. Peter himself starts acting out and purposely disregards office protocol.
His new attitude at work gets him promoted instead of fired, so he uses his power and skills to create a virus with his coworker Michael Bolton (David Herman) and steal money from the company in small amounts, which is ultimately unsuccessful. Peter plans to take the fall, but even this plan is unsuccessful when Milton (Stephen Root) unknowingly intervenes.
Eraserhead (1977)
Eraserhead is a surreal and experimental David Lynch film. It is about Henry Spencer (Jack Nance) and the absurd events taking place in his life. He has strange visions, and his girlfriend Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) seems to have given birth to a non-human creature. Mary X eventually leaves the baby with him because she cannot handle its constant crying. This event and the constant crying lead to what seems to be a downward spiral in Spencer.
The film is known for its incoherent plot and its use of body horror, two signatures of David Lycnh's works that can be tolerable separately, but not always when used together.
Creepshow (1982)
Creepshow is an anthology horror film written by Stephen King and directed by George Romero of the original Night of the Living Dead fame. The film opens with a boy reading a comic book also entitled Creepshow. The boy meets an apparition of The Creep from the comic in real life.
The film then follows the five stories as presented in the comic in the film: "Father's Day," "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill," "Something to Tide You Over," "The Crate," and "They're Creeping Up on You." The film ends back in the real world and ends with an unexpected twist. A televised Creepshow revival is currently airing on Shudder.
Westworld (1973)
Before it was a hit show on HBO, Westworld was a film written and directed by Michael Crichton. The film and the television show have similar premises with a theme park filled with androids to create simulations for visitors to experience. While the television show only has the Old West theme in its park, the film has Westworld, Medievalworld, and Romanworld.
Like the television show, the film's plot focuses on androids gaining autonomy and revolting against the humans. In the case of the film, the revolt is led by the Gunslinger (Yul Brynner), a prominent character in the Westworld section of the park.
Labyrinth (1986)
This 1986 musical classic is a Jim Henson film starring David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King. The main character, Sarah (Jennifer Donnelly), wishes her baby brother to be taken by the Goblin King, not knowing he was real. Once he is revealed to be real and he takes her brother, Sarah sets out on a journey to solve his labyrinth in order to win her brother back.
Along the way, she befriends creatures of the labyrinth, including Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and his dog Ambrosius. Sarah ultimately comes into her own and faces Jareth and wins back her baby brother on her own.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This cult classic musical is a film adaptation of the stage production of the same name which is itself a loose adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It is about the newly engaged couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) being stranded near a castle where they seek refuge, where they meet the castle inhabitants such as Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite mad scientist, and his creation Rocky (Peter Hinwood).
The couple becomes trapped in the house for a time and ultimately falls victim to Frank-N-Furter's charm, even after the Transylvanians depart for their home planet and leaving them and Dr. Scott on earth.
The Wicker Man (1973)
The Wicker Man is a horror film about a police sergeant named Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) who comes to a remote island named Summerville in search of a missing girl named Rowan (Gerry Cowper). Upon arriving on the island, he finds its inhabitants involved in pagan practices, including the May Day celebration in which a May Queen is crowned.
Howie also learns of the inhabitants' practice of offering a sacrifice when its harvest fails and thinks that Rowan is the next sacrifice. He eventually finds Rowan and tries to save her, only to be caught by the island inhabitants and be offered as a sacrifice by being placed in a giant wicker man set on fire.
And yes, this genuine cult hit is the basis of the laughable remake that stars none other than Nicolas Cage and some angry bees.