Creating a cult classic
Every once in what can sometimes be a very long while, a little-known about, unassuming and humble film will find itself magically transformed into a cult classic. This is a subtle process that happens away from the spotlight of Hollywood, and it can take years upon years to complete.
According to Tim Dirks, Editor of the American Movie Classics website, cult films are often "strange, quirky, offbeat, eccentric, oddball or surreal, with outrageous, weird, unique and cartoony characters or plots, and garish sets." Cult classics often begin as independent, low-budget flicks that can span a multitude of genres — Dirks cited horror, sci-fi and teen comedies as the most prevalent ones. The journey to cult classic generally starts with a complete and utter failure at the box office. Blade Runner, undeniably a cult favorite, opened in 1982 to less-than-stellar reviews and an opening weekend box office gross that more than disappointed the studios. Now, nearly 30 years after its release, more than six versions of the film exist on DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD. More than half a million copies have been sold since 2007.
The journey from box office flop to cult hit is difficult to pinpoint exactly, however there are patterns that this process tends to follow. Generally the quirks of a film, such as the cheesy effects of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, are the very attributes that cause them to achieve a cult following.
Jordan Ham, an avid Star Trek fan, explained the appeal for him. "I enjoy the cheesiness - I really have fun going to watch a film with obviously fake sets and spectacular over-acting from William Shatner."
Once a particular audience has latched onto a film and embraced its offbeat characteristics, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, it has the chance to become a cult classic. Cult classics are generally defined as films with a very specific yet loyal audience. Rocky Horror plays without fail each and every year at Halloween in theaters across North America. Theatregoers dress up, often in outrageous drag much like Tim Curry's Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and sing along to all the charmingly vulgar songs within the film.
Rachel House is one of those who regularly spends her Halloween nights watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show. "I go almost every year to see it ... The thing I really love about it is that it's so bad that it becomes really good."
There is no certain way to ensure that a film will ever reach cult status, though some directors such as Quentin Tarantino make films with the intentions of producing a cult classic. Many bad films simply remain unpopular, yet there will always be those that, while unsuccessful at first glance, become beloved cult classics.
According to Tim Dirks, Editor of the American Movie Classics website, cult films are often "strange, quirky, offbeat, eccentric, oddball or surreal, with outrageous, weird, unique and cartoony characters or plots, and garish sets." Cult classics often begin as independent, low-budget flicks that can span a multitude of genres — Dirks cited horror, sci-fi and teen comedies as the most prevalent ones. The journey to cult classic generally starts with a complete and utter failure at the box office. Blade Runner, undeniably a cult favorite, opened in 1982 to less-than-stellar reviews and an opening weekend box office gross that more than disappointed the studios. Now, nearly 30 years after its release, more than six versions of the film exist on DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD. More than half a million copies have been sold since 2007.
The journey from box office flop to cult hit is difficult to pinpoint exactly, however there are patterns that this process tends to follow. Generally the quirks of a film, such as the cheesy effects of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, are the very attributes that cause them to achieve a cult following.
Jordan Ham, an avid Star Trek fan, explained the appeal for him. "I enjoy the cheesiness - I really have fun going to watch a film with obviously fake sets and spectacular over-acting from William Shatner."
Once a particular audience has latched onto a film and embraced its offbeat characteristics, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, it has the chance to become a cult classic. Cult classics are generally defined as films with a very specific yet loyal audience. Rocky Horror plays without fail each and every year at Halloween in theaters across North America. Theatregoers dress up, often in outrageous drag much like Tim Curry's Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and sing along to all the charmingly vulgar songs within the film.
Rachel House is one of those who regularly spends her Halloween nights watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show. "I go almost every year to see it ... The thing I really love about it is that it's so bad that it becomes really good."
There is no certain way to ensure that a film will ever reach cult status, though some directors such as Quentin Tarantino make films with the intentions of producing a cult classic. Many bad films simply remain unpopular, yet there will always be those that, while unsuccessful at first glance, become beloved cult classics.
