Love them or hate them, you cannot go through a day without hearing an allusion to a cult film. The simplest way to describe a cult film is a film that was not popular (either with critics or the public) when it was first released, but gained an audience over time. Whether in strange and elaborate midnight showings or on the DVD market, these 18 movies are the greatest cult movies of all time.

1. Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rocky Horror is the cult film. Countless midnight showings at theatres across America have made Rocky Horror an underground super hit. The musical story is as crazy as they come, with Tim Curry playing a “Sweet Transvestite”. Audiences attend the shows in costume and have rituals such as throwing toast and yelling profanities. Does this sound like a good time? The Orpheum theatre in Madison has midnight showing every first, third, and fifth Saturday of the month.

2. The Big Lebowski

“The Dude” is going about his less-than-eventful day when some thugs break into his house and pee on his rug. What is a dude to do? There is only one thing to do, grab a White Russian and go bowling. Key Line: “That rug really tied the room together.”

3. The Warriors

Coney Island gang “The Warriors” is trapped in the Bronx and they have to fight their way home. Upon its release this film became very popular among actual New York gang members, eventually leading to in-theatre gang fights. Key Line: “Warriors…Come out to play…”

4. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Leather Face and his psychotic family run rampant in Toby Hooper’s terrifying gore fest. A group of unsuspecting twenty-somethings stumble upon the humble abode of a mass murdering family in Texas and are unhappy to find out that they have very little time to live. Even Scarier: This “based on true events” tale is roughly inspired by Wisconsin’s own Ed Gein.

5.Re-Animator

Cult favorite Bruce Campbell stars as a scientist who discovers the way to bring human tissue back to life in this campy sendup of an H.P. Love Craft story. Trivia: The special effects team went through 25 gallons of fake blood during the shoot.

6.Scarface

When Cuban refugees are sent to the land of opportunity Tony Montana decides to join the cocaine game. With money, cars and mansions, everyone envies him. Tony Montana’s bloody rise to power is a favorite among gang members, rappers, and almost anyone that likes a good flick. Key Line: “Say hello to my lil’ friend.”

7.Freaks

Professional sideshow performers were featured in this cult classic about a group of freaks that is misunderstood by the world. Memorable Moment: In a classic scene, a man with no limbs lights a cigarette.

8.Clerks

The trials and tribulations of convenient store employee, Deep Stuff. Key Line: “What smells like shoe polish?”

9.Five Deadly Venoms

Only the Shaw brothers can make kung fu this good. Memorable Moment: Assassins kill a man using a six-inch nose hook.



10.Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Join Arthur, King of the Britains and his merry knights in their quest for the Holy Grail. Key Line: “It’s just a flesh wound.”





11.Office Space

I am going to have to go ahead and rate this the eleventh greatest cult movie ever. Office Space was a gigantic flop in the theatres and over the past few years has snowballed into an underground hit. After a chance meeting with a hypnotherapist, Peter Gibbons just stops caring and surprisingly, it all works out for the best (well, sort of). Memorable Moment: Peter Gibbons and his coworkers destroy a copy machine to heavy gangsta rap.

12.Reservoir Dogs

Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut is a heist movie where the heist is never shown. Spoiler Warning: Everyone dies.

13.Clockwork Orange

Sex, violence and classical music. Magical Moment: Violent home invasion set to “Singin’ in the Rain.”

14.Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

Tim Burton made his first feature about Pee-Wee Herman’s quest to find his stolen bike. Tagline: The story of a rebel and his bike.

15.Toxic Avenger

The Toxic Avenger is Troma Film’s overly trashy romp about a puny geek who is transformed into a rampaging monster. Key Line: “For your information, everyone knows monsters prefer blondes.”

16.Harold and Maude is a love story hidden within a black comedy. Harold is obsessed with death until he meets Maude who teaches him how to love life. Harold is so fascinated with death that he attempts suicide many times throughout the film. He attempts so often that his mother simply goes about her day without noticing him hanging from the ceiling. Key Line: Psychiatrist: “What do you do for fun?” Harold: “I go to funerals.”



17. Night of the Living Dead

In George Romero’s revolutionary film, a group of people is trapped in a house while flesh-hungry zombies pound on the walls. Key Line: Barbara, They’re coming for you.



18. Evil Dead 2

Part horror movie, part comedy, Sam Raimi’s sequel/remake of his college film project is a favorite among horror fiends everywhere. Memorable Moment: Ash’s zombified girlfriend dances in the moonlight.