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What Makes a Cult Film?

What makes these films stand out?

By Alexandra Hontalas-AdamsPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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The Holy Mountain (1975)

Lately, the term “cult film” has become difficult to define. In the past, an active fan base of self-identified outsiders was the defining trait of a cult film. But since the rise of Comic-Con, fan culture has become less stigmatized and entered the mainstream. Big budget commercial films are released with their own massive “cult-like” followings. So, if legions of devoted fans don’t give a film cult status, what does? A key difference is that these mainstream followings are cultivated and engineered by armies of publicists and marketing gurus. In contrast, the fringe fan bases crop up organically.

While mainstream movies are designed to appeal to the widest possible audience, cult films are often aimed at the niche groups. These films can take risks and make bold statements because they’re not worried about the foreign market, or alienating special interest groups.

All this boundary-pushing means that cult films rarely become opening night hits. Studios see them as risky so they usually start with limited distribution and yield modest box office returns. When Showgirls (1995) was first released, it played in empty theater and was universally panned by critics. However, when it was released on VHS and DVD it was ironically enjoyed by millions. It made MGM $100 million and earned its place amongst the studio’s top hits.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) had a very disappointing opening weekend but, it sparked a 35-year long trend of live performances and midnight screenings. In 1932, everyone was convinced that making Freaks had ruined Tod Browning’s career. The film’s original run time was trimmed by a third and for years it was extremely difficult to find the director’s cut. Now it’s a cult classic and a punk touchstone thanks to The Ramones' “Gabba Gabba Hey!” Cult films are a slow burn. Their fan bases grow steadily as word of mouth spreads.

Cult films appeal to their diverse audiences for a wide variety of reasons. They can be cringe-worthy, campy, “so bad it’s good,” or just plain odd. But there are two qualities all successful cult films share, spectacle and staying power. Whether it’s the daring cinematography of Brazil (1985), the outlandish imagery of The Holy Mountain (1975), or the baffling continuity errors of Plan Nine From Outer Space (1953), these films all put on a show. The audience is witnessing something strange and evocative that they couldn’t experience anywhere else. This creates an intense appeal to a subculture within society.

As for staying power, you can watch a true cult film hundreds of times, at a midnight screening, in a cemetery, at a theme party, etc. During each viewing, you notice something different and come away with a different interpretation or fan theory. Cult films are filled with layer upon layer of creative and bizarre details for viewers to pick apart and analyze. What on earth is with Tommy Wiseau’s accent? Why does Veronica Sawyer use a monocle? Is “The Dude” an idiot or a genius?

This complexity encourages active viewing instead of passive consumption. By engaging the audiences and evoking strong emotions they ensure that they’ll have a lasting legacy instead of fading from the public’s collective consciousness.

There’s no set formula for creating a cult film. All the marketing research in the world can’t guarantee you an organic following. Snakes on a Plane (2006) was written, produced, and marketed to be a cult film. It was full of quotable one-liners and references to other B movies. However, the audience didn’t take the bait, and cult films are all about the audience. At the end of the day, cult status is elusive and ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

entertainment
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About the Creator

Alexandra Hontalas-Adams

Hello, I'm a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. I cover a wide range of subjects so there's something for everyone.

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKLdHUHOBo4kMRkB8bcW-jw?view_as=subscriber

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