What Defines a Cult Film?

The basic definition that I've arrived at is this: a 'cult' film is one that has a mediocre-to-poor box office and low critical acclaim at its opening, but later develops a devoted independent fan base. Before home video became widespread, the fanbase would develop when the picture was playing the midnight movie houses and dollar theatres, and on late-night TV. When everybody got VCRs - and, later, DVDs - people who saw the movie and loved it would pass copies around to their friends, and other like-minded individuals. Now that we have the opinions of just about the entire world at our fingertips, the information-sharing that builds a cult following travels through forums such as these message boards.

- Crazy. All crazy but I'm.

Not that many people like it but those who do like it a lot!

I think a devoted, obsessive fanbase truly defines a cult film. If it doesn't have that, it's not cult.

Like, Star Wars?


"In this scene, you will gargle with mouthwash! And...action!" 

Star Wars is not considered a cult film because of its massive success, most people consider having failed theatrically or critically to be another component of what it makes a cult film, but to be honest there is no difference between the rabidness of Star Wars fans and passionate fans of other cult films. I guess a classic is, by definition, a cult film.

I agree that the definition of "Cult Film" is that it has obsessive fans, but I disagree that "Star Wars" is not cult. To me the obsessive nature of its fans makes it cult. The fact that it was a huge box office success is unimportant to me. I would classify a "cult" film" as one that generates an obsessive fan base who want to watch it over and over again. This definition covers a wide range of films, from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" to "Star Wars" .

There is no exact definition of 'cult' films but in my opinion, they tend to have some, if not all of these characteristics:

- mediocre or poor box office
- obsessive fanbase
- subject matter that may be polarizing/divisive (e.g. surrealism, graphic violence, etc.)
- mixed or poor reviews, although not always the case

Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, which certainly have obsessive fanbases, are so successfully and popular, that it kinda defeats the term 'cult'. Therefore, I would not qualify them as cult films.

However, just because a movie is considered 'bad' doesn't mean it's a 'cult' film either. Something like Indecent Proposal doesn't have an obsessive fanbase.

On another note, I would consider some sub-genres to automatically qualify as cult films. Biker and gladiator films from the 60's, 70's car chase movies, blaxploitation, modern Japanese gore films, etc.

Here are some examples of cult films:

Repo Man
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Plan 9 from Outer Space
Evil Dead series
Meet the Feebles
Vanishing Point
Superfly
Man Bites Dog

I already have enough weird friends as it is.

Vanishing Point and Superfly are both excellent movies!


"In this scene, you will gargle with mouthwash! And...action!" 