Movies - TV
14 Cult Classic Horror Movies That Started Off As Flops
By MARIA LORETO
Jennifer's Body
With two up-and-coming actresses and a dream team of Diablo Cody as writer and Karyn Kusama as director, "Jennifer's Body" was supposed to be the next big thing.
As one of the most feminist films in recent memory, theater-goers were shocked when they didn't get what they bargained for. Since the #MeToo movement, it’s earned its cult status.
People don't like "Jennifer's Body," they love it. Like the best cult films, its blemishes give depth and an inventiveness, and it’s a blast with hilarious and quippy dialogue.
Rocky Horror
This 1975 classic is a movie you can't believe was ever made. Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon get a flat tire by an eerie mansion and meet Tim Curry and Meatloaf.
The film flopped brutally upon its release, but many years and midnight screenings later, it has iconic cult status with people in character costumes throwing food at the screen.
"Rocky Horror Picture Show" has earned over $170 million at the box office, and it is the longest continually running movie release of all time.
The Thing
Released in 1982 and featuring Kurt Russell, John Carpenter’s film, “The Thing,” follows a research crew in the Antarctic who are terrorized by a shapeshifting dog.
It's truly mind-boggling that "The Thing" didn't make a dent in the box office. Critics called it bleak, paranoid, and depressing, which ended up alienating its potential audience.
Years later, it was added to the horror classics canon and often called Carpenter's best film. "The Thing" has amazing effects, an unnerving setting, and a timeless score.
Phantom of Paradise
"Phantom of The Paradise" is a pastiche of stories like "Phantom of the Opera" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray." It's a film that can seem more interesting and daring than good.
Following a naïve composer whose music gets stolen, director Brian De Palma veers in directions that are exciting and strange, and feature his iconic visual trademarks.
At the time of its release, "Phantom" made almost no money. It's mostly nonsensical but in the most fun way — the type of film that was meant to inspire a vibrant cult following.
The Exorcist II
Released in 1977, "The Exorcist II: The Heretic" is kind of wonderful in its ambition and weirdness and it definitely fits into the cult classic category.
The sequel follows Father Lamont (Richard Burton) tasked with investigating what happened to Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow) in the original film.
"The Exorcist II" was a flop, but one that's earned some love amongst followers. Even Martin Scorsese is a fan, telling Far Out Magazine he liked it better than the original.