#40. The Breakfast Club
If you haven't heard of The Breakfast Club, it is probably because you've been living under a rock this whole time. This is the most typical teen movie there is, probably because it set a standard for all the teen movies that came after it.
The movie tells the story of a group of teenagers who come from different high school cliques but find themselves in detention together and eventually learn they have much more in common than they thought.
#39. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the most iconic and gruesome slasher films of all time. The film was widely marketed as being based on a true story, which made it disturbingly interesting and drew audiences to it.
It was later discovered that it was only loosely based on some crimes that actually happened, but basically 90% of the movie was fictional. Still, the film is gory, bloody, and terrifyingly awesome.
#38. Pink Floyd: The Wall
Pink Floyd: The Wall is based on the Pink Floyd album of the same name and tells the story of a rock star who, after going through a series of traumatic events, goes insane and builds a wall to shelter himself from the pain.
The story is told through music and incredible visuals that are purely metaphorical and therefore, it takes some time to really get all the symbolism in it.
#37. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey tells the story of a space-traveling crew aboard a robot spaceship that travels to Jupiter in order to figure out how an unknown alien is affecting human evolution.
One of the best things about rewatching these old futuristic movies is how they thought the 2000s would be. Sadly, we don't have time travel technology, laser eyes, or the power of teleportation yet, but wouldn't that be awesome?
#36. The Terminator
This legendary action movie tells the story of a cyborg assassin from the year 2029 who travels back in time to kill the mother of the man who destroys the machines and saves human kind so that he is never born.
This movie made Arnold Schwarzenegger the star that he is now and inspired several sequels, merchandise, and video games. This franchise is so powerful that they are still milking it today!
#35. Alien
Alien tells the story of a spaceship crew that, in the middle of a mission, discovers that an alien has nested in their ship. These alien eggs hatch and slowly but surely start killing the crew members.
. Even though it was released in 1979, its special effects are still very relevant today and the movie can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone with a stomach. The sequels, unfortunately, aren't so great.
#34. The Wicker Man
The Wicker Man is a cult movie about cults, and it does not disappoint. This movie became legendary because of how unintentionally hilarious it is. Somehow, a studio gave this the green light and even got Nicholas Cage to star in it.
The plot doesn't make any sense, the acting is deplorable, and the dialogue is just plain funny. It is one of those movies that you just have to see at least once and just enjoy it for what it is.
#33. 12 Monkeys
12 Monkeys has nothing to do with monkeys, but it is still an amazing movie. The film is about a deadly virus that is threatening to eliminate humans, who are forced to live underground.
Bruce Willis then has to travel back in time to try and stop the virus from spreading. He travels back to the '90s, which is when the movie was actually made, and has to track down the 12 Monkeys, the group that created the pandemic.
#32. Blade Runner
Blade Runner was the first movie that Harrison Ford starred as the main character. It tells the story of a man tasked with hunting down a group of synthetic humans that are going to destroy the Earth.
The film is said to have inspired countless sci-fi films, but the studio was never fully happy with it despite its success. In fact, it was edited over seven times, so there are many versions of it out there.
#31. Kill Bill Vol. 1
Kill Bill Vol. 1 starts out with a very common premise, which is a main character that is seeking revenge against those who wronged her. But the film has so many more layers than that...
Even though the movie is titled Kill Bill, we don't get to see who Bill is until the second movie. The main character, Beatrix, has to kill many people before he gets to him.
#30. Napoleon Dynamite
Nobody expected Napoleon Dynamite to be as big as it was. It started as a small project and its main star, Jon Heder, was actually paid only $1,000 for his work as the title character.
This hilarious indie movie went on to gross almost $50 million, which prompted Heder to re-negotiate with the studio for more money.Part of the movie's success, aside from the fact that is hilarious, has to do with the fact that Napoleon is so relatable.
#29. The Godfather
The Godfather is, without a doubt, one of the greatest films ever made. It has inspired multiple other films and is one of the most quoted films of all time, because it simply has it all.
What many people don't know is that it is based on a book of the same name. The book itself wasn't such a big deal, and the studio bought the rights to it for a mere $80,000.
#28. Mad Max
Not many people believed in Mad Max when it was released. In fact, the movie was made with a small budget of $400,000, which is pretty little money for a movie, and its reviews weren't the best.
This incredible movie features a young Mel Gibson in a dystopian future where society has collapsed and it is every man for himself. Gibson plays Max, a police officer that seeks revenge against a ruthless motorcycle gang.
#27. Monty Python And The Holy Grail
Monty Python And The Holy Grail is, quite literally, the Holy Grail of British films. Unlike the typical cult film, this Monty Python movie was a huge success upon its release and was the highest-grossing movie of that year in the UK.
The plot is very simple: King Arthur goes on an adventure to get knights to join his Round Table and along the way, God appears before them. The king is then tasked with finding the Holy Grail, and then insanity ensues.
#26. Harold And Maude
Dark humor is a pill hard to swallow for many people, and more often than not, these kinds of movies are not well received. Harold and Maude was released in 1971, and audiences at that time were definitely not ready for it.
Harold is a troubled teenager that is obsessed with dark stuff like death and torture, and falls in love with Maude, a 79-year-old lady who also happens to love those things. Unfortunately, we can't spoil it any further!
#25. Memento
Memento is one of those films that keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time you're watching it. This psychological thriller tells the story of a man who was attacked by a mysterious killer who murdered his family.
He wakes up one day and doesn't remember a single thing that happened. Turns out that he is suffering from a very rare form of amnesia that, not only makes him forget everything he ever did, but also prevents him from forming any new memories.
#24. Brazil
This iconic film is about a dystopian future that involves strange machines and a man who tries to find a woman he met in his dreams. But, why is it called Brazil?
The recurring song you can hear in the background is called Brazil, and that's why the movie is named that way. The movie was seen as a weird piece of cinema upon its release, but it later became a cult film loved by many.
#23. Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
Before the Tim Burton version was released in the 2000s, there was a much better adaptation made in the 1970s. Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. This musical adventure is colorful, funny, and perfect for people of all ages.
While the newer version is okay, this one is worth your while, especially considering that it was made in the 1970s with limited resources and very little knowledge of special effects.
#22. The Shawshank Redemption
It is hard to imagine a huge movie like The Shawshank Redemption being a box-office failure, but it actually was! This actually happens to most cult movies, which become famous many years after release.
This incredible film received great reviews but not many people turned up to see it on the screen. When it was nominated for a whopping 7 Academy Awards, suddenly everyone wanted to watch it, and if you haven't already, you definitely should!
#21. Scarface
Scarface narrates the story of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), a Cuban refugee arriving in Miami in the 80s with nothing in his pockets but grows to become a powerful drug lord.
Due to its excessive violence and explicit drug usage, the film’s initial reception was negative. “When Scarface first came out, it was extremely controversial, as you can imagine. But it stays in our lexicon, in a way. It’s part of our culture,” Al Pacino explained.
#20. Easy Rider
Directed by Dennis Hopper, Easy Rider was released in 1986 and is one of the most iconic independent road movies ever made. The film was written and starred by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, together with Jack Nicholson.
The story revolves around Fonda and Hopper, two bikers who decide to travel through the American desert hoping to attend the Mardi Gras carnival. However, things end up getting more complicated than they thought.
#19. Clerks
If you're a cult movie fan, then Clerks is a must-watch. This black-and-white comedy film was released in 1994, and it became very popular among teenagers. It starred Brian Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Jason Mewes, and Lisa Spoonauer.
What's most surprising is that the film was shot with only $27,000, but earned more than $3 million! The plotline is actually quite simple, for it narrates the lives of two convenience clerks named Dante and Randall, who are extremely relatable.
#18. Reservoir Dogs
If you are a fan of Quentin Tarantino's films, you must have seen Reservoir Dogs (1992). This iconic movie inaugurated the director's singular style, with his bizarre scenes of violence, excellent dialogue, and unique soundtrack.
arantino's debut film is considered one of Hollywood's classics and was deemed The Greatest Independent Film Of All Time by Empire. So if you want to see Tarantino's essence and style, this movie is a must!
#17. Labyrinth
Psychedelic music and David Bowie in one film? What could go wrong with such a combination? Labyrinth is a musical fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and released in 1986.
The story revolves around a rebellious 16-year-old girl, played by Jennifer Connelly, who wishes for her baby brother to be taken away from her. But to her surprise, her wish is granted by the Goblin King, played by David Bowie.
#16. Donnie Darko
Directed byRichard Kelly, Donnie Darko (2001) is a science fiction thriller and psychological film which, to be honest, is quite hard to understand. Surprisingly, it was only filmed in 28 days!
The film tells the story of a troubled teenager who constantly has visions of a man in a rabbit suit that tells him to commit a series of crimes. The film plays with time, and it's not until the ending in which you finally understand who the rabbit is.
#15. Trainspotting
Trainspotting* (1996) is one of the most iconic cult films ever made, and it stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, and Kelly Macdonald.
The film sheds light on the Edinburgh drug scene, and it depicts the lives of a group of friends who live in poverty and are addicted to heroin. As you may imagine, the film is full of intense and dramatic scenes.
#14. Pink Flamingos
Pink Flamingos was released in 1972 and it was directed, written, filmed, and narrated by John Waters. It's generally considered to be the director's most famous and movie.
The story revolves around a Baltimore criminal and underground figure called Divine,who is proud to be the filthiest person alive. However, a married couple tries to humiliate her and to steal her title of the "filthiest person ever", triggering a rivalry between both of them.
#13. This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap* (1984) is a rock film directed by Rob Reiner and it is considered one of the first mockumentaries ever made. But what's a mockumentary? It is a film that depicts fictional events but that is filmed as a documentary.
It tells the story of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, who are the members of the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The film describes the life of this band and the obstacles they overcome during one of their tours.
#12. Mulholland Drive
This film was released in 2002 and stars Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Ann Miller,and Robert Forster. It's one of those films that plays with time, and it is regarded as one of the most complex films in history.
The story starts with an aspiring actress called Betty Elms arriving in Los Angeles and meeting an amnesiac woman who is recovering from a car accident. The film is divided between Betty's dream world and her reality, and it's hard to tell the difference between both.
#11. The Warriors
The Warriors was released in 1979 and is based on Sol Yurick's homonymous novel. At first, it had a negative reception, but nowadays it's considered as one of the most important cult films in the world.
The film shows the life of different New York City street gangsters. However, problems arise when one of the most charismatic gangsters is shot dead, and the gang named The Warriors is blamed for it.
#10. Dazed And Confused
Dazed And Confused (1993) was the pioneer of coming-of-age films. It was directed by Richard Linklater and stars Jason London, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Adam Goldberger, and Matthew McConaughey.
The story follows the last days of school of a group of high school and junior high students in Texas. The movie's plot is very simple, and because of this, most people can relate to the hardships that the characters go through.
#9. Heathers
Directed by Michael Lehmann, Heathers was released in 1988 and stars Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. At first, it was not a big success but nowadays many people adore it.
The movie is about a group of high school friends in Ohio, of which three are called Heather. The character portrayed by Ryder decides to team up with a sociopath in order to kill the three Heathers.
#8. A Clockwork Orange
Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange was released in 1971 and is based on Anthony Burgess' novel of the same name. The film was censored in many parts of the world because of the strong violent scenes.
The film tells the story of a group of gangs in future Britain, where the leader Alex embarks on many violent and bizarre adventures with his thuggish droogs. Most of the scenes are so dramatic and explicit that they make you twitch.
#7. Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino is on our list once more as the king of cult movies. This time, we are talking about his masterpiece Pulp Fiction (1994) starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, and Tim Roth.
Like most of Tarantino's films, Pulp Fiction is full of graphic scenes of violence and punchy dialogues. Some of the scenes are so famous that even those who haven't seen the film are familiar with them.
#6. Fight Club
Even though the first rule of the Fight Club is not to talk about Fight Club, we have to mention it. This film stars< Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bohman Carter, and it is one of the most famous films of the past decades.
The story revolves around two men, an insomniac office worker who is unhappy with his life and a soap salesman. Together, they form an underground fight club, but things get more complicated than they thought.
#5. The Room
The Room was released in 2003 and was directed, written, and starred by Tommy Wiseau, one of the most eccentric people to ever live. Wiseau had no experience in filmmaking but had the money to make a movie, so he just went for it.
The film is supposedly about a love triangle, yet there are several unrelated, inconsistent and ridiculous subplots. Some critics say that when something is so bad, it can actually turn into something really good. Well, this movie is definitely the case.
#4. Eraserhead
David Lynch has directed many cult classics, not just Mulholland Dr. This black-and-white body horror film was also produced, written, edited, and sound-mixed by Lynch himself.
Starring Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Jeanne Bates, Allen Joseph, and Jeanne Bates, the films tell the story of Henry Spencer, a man who tries to deal with his angry girlfriend and his newly born mutant child.
#3. The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers is an American blues and soul band created in 1978 by comedy actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live.
The story goes around Jake Blues, a man who has just come out of prison and needs to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised. That's why he decides to reunite his band again.
#2. The Big Lebowski
Written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, The Big Lebowski was released in 1998. film was not very successful when it was first released, but as the years went by, it slowly became one of the people's favorite cult movies.
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, while the millionaire Lebowski's wife is kidnapped. With the help of his bowling buddies, The Dude sets off to rescue her. despite not even knowing who she is.
#1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Our list would be incomplete without The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).Directed by Jim Sharman this musical horror comedy film is based on a musical stage production with the same name.
The story starts when a young engaged couple has a problem with their car on a rainy night, and they have no choice but enter a castle and ask for help. The castle happened to be the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the rest of the plot is just fabulous and bizarre at the same time.