If you’re ever looking for a movie to watch, cult classics are always a good bet. Cult classics get their name from the cult-like following they cultivate. These movies often have highly devoted fans that re-watch their favorites again and again. This list provides ten incredible cult classics to watch right now. You won’t be disappointed. These recommendations come from various decades and genres, and they’re all absolutely amazing.
Donnie Darko is one of the best cult classics out there. This movie is a mix between a psychological thriller and a sci-fi film, with elements of horror and drama, too. Set in 1988, Donnie Darko is about a teenager who comes across a giant, creepy rabbit named Frank, who says the world will end in twenty-eight days. Naturally, the plot gets pretty interesting from this point.
Donnie Darko has themes of mental illness, parallel universes, time travel, and more. It asks deep questions about time, existence, and lucidity, all while presenting a narrative that’s complex and thrilling. It’s best to go into this movie with an open mind because it’s definitely pretty weird. With strong performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, and Drew Barrymore, this dark film is perfect for anyone interested in cult classics.
2001: A Space Odyssey is arguably Stanley Kubrick’s best film. Based on a short story by Arthur C. Clarke, this sci-fi film is grandiose, innovative, and contemplative. Whether you like sci-fi or not, this movie is appealing for several reasons. If you’re interested in space, artificial intelligence, the future, or the evolution of humanity, 2001 has something for you.
This movie takes place all throughout the timeline of humanity, from the dawn of evolution to the futuristic depiction of 2001 and beyond. It asks big questions about mankind’s place in the universe, and will probably leave you with some existential questions to ponder for yourself. There are incredibly strong themes in this movie, including our relationship with technology, our place in the universe, and what the future may hold for us. Additionally, 2001 has one of the most iconic scores ever, so if you have an appreciation for classical music, the score will heighten your movie-watching experience even more.
Even if you haven’t seen Blade Runner, you’ve probably heard of it, thanks to its 2017 sequel, Blade Runner: 2049. The original movie, directed by Ridley Scott, is a sci-fi film adapted from a story by Philip K. Dick. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, cyberpunk, or noir films, you’ll probably love Blade Runner. Decades later, it’s still one of the most legendary cult classics, because this story appeals to anyone, regardless of genre preference.
In this futuristic film, society now has “Replicants”, which are highly advanced robots that are so lifelike that they’re difficult to differentiate from humans. Harrison Ford plays a retired blade runner and is forced by the police to resume his old position and hunt several rogue Replicants. The plot of this movie is exciting, unexpected, and thought-provoking, and will leave viewers wondering about the distinction between heroes and villains. Blade Runner makes you wonder what it truly means to be human, and how we might grapple with our humanity in the future.
High school is a difficult time for a lot of people, but this is especially true in Heathers. In this film, a teenage girl named Veronica, played by Winona Ryder, is part of the most popular clique at school, but she doesn’t necessarily like the other girls in this clique. When she meets J.D., played by Christian Slater, they quickly descend into an accidental murder spree.
This movie is wild, funny, and dark, and continues to be one of the most quotable cult classics out there. If you’re interested in the angst of adolescence, the combination of lust and violence, or the messiness of teen crime, you should definitely give Heathers a watch.
David Lynch is a prolific director, especially when it comes to cult classics, and Eraserhead is a fantastic representation of his directorial skills. This movie is disturbing, nightmarish, and bizarre, but it’s a vital part of the horror genre. Those who are familiar with David Lynch’s directing style know that his work is surreal and dreamlike. Once you start watching Lynch’s movies and TV shows, you really can’t stop.
Eraserhead centers around a man named Henry who discovers that a woman he’d previously slept with is now pregnant. He marries her and she moves into his bleak apartment. However, their baby turns out to be a grotesque creature that hardly looks human, and never stops wailing. Between the dreariness of Henry’s apartment, the wailing of the creature, and the other strange people that live at the apartment complex, this movie is strange, macabre, and disconcerting. It’s a totally unique horror movie and has reputable status as one of the most unsettling cult classics.
One of the greatest movies about love is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind because it represents love in an authentic way, and it isn’t solely about love. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in this quirky movie, and actors such as Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo play supporting roles.
In Eternal Sunshine, a woman named Clementine goes through a procedure in which memories of her ex-boyfriend, Joel, are completely removed. When Joel finds out about this, he plans to undergo the same procedure but has second thoughts during the memory-removal process. This movie explores the complexities of love and the importance of memory in a beautiful and unforgettable way. The story is emotionally arresting, and strengthened by fantastic actors, a unique score, and artistic visuals. It’s definitely not a movie to ignore!
A Clockwork Orange is one of Stanley Kubrick’s most popular films, and it’s probably the most difficult one to watch. This movie centers around several young men, the “Droogs”, who are obsessed with what they call “ultraviolence.” The Droogs engage in violent, offensive, and criminal acts, and Kubrick doesn’t shy away from showing the heinousness of their actions. The leading member, Alex, is arrested after one such crime and undergoes a bizarre experiment of behavior modification. This experiment gives him an immense aversion to violence, which certainly contrasts with his natural state.
This movie might be seen as a critique of our society, as well as a potential projection of our future. It’s an extravagant film, which is to be expected of Kubrick, and presents an unforgettable story. If you’re looking for another reason to watch A Clockwork Orange, this movie features a lot of Beethoven’s music, which is always a good thing.
If you’re interested in watching A Clockwork Orange, I would highly recommend looking up some trigger warnings before proceeding, since there are several explicit depictions of violence.
If you’re looking for something easy to watch, Dazed and Confused is one of the more low-key cult classics on this list. Set in the 70s, this movie follows several high-schoolers during the start of summer break. With actors like Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, and Jason London, this offbeat movie is full of 70s stereotypes, but they portray high school life in a super fun way.
This coming of age movie is full of classic rock, marijuana, parties, and high school traditions. It’s a really chill movie to watch when you don’t want to pay attention to a heavy plot, and should be enjoyable for anyone interested in movies set in the 70s.
Mulholland Drive is a cult classic directed by David Lynch. Starring Naomi Watts and Laura Herring, this movie is equal parts thriller, mystery, and drama. When a woman named Rita wakes up from a car accident with amnesia, she stumbles through Los Angeles in a hazy state of mind and eventually comes across a place to stay. There, she’s found by another woman who has come to Los Angeles in hopes of rising to stardom. The two of them try to unravel Rita’s past and figure out who she is, and as you might expect, this takes the story in a wild and unexpected direction.
Like David Lynch’s other movies, Mulholland Drive is a surreal story that delves into the mysteries of the subconscious. Lynch blends physical settings with mental states in seamless and interesting ways, making this a movie you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Suspiria is one of the most unique horror movies ever created. The director, Dario Argento, has an unmatched aesthetic, and he doesn’t shy away from blending gore and horror with his colorful cinematography and unique musical score.
In this movie, a young woman named Suzy travels all the way to Germany to attend a school for ballet. From the very first night, strange things take place. Suzy has a difficult time adjusting to her new life, and the horrible things taking place around her only make things worse. Suzy is often sick, hears and sees things that aren’t there, and, on top of that, several strange and horrifying murders begin to take place. This movie is gory, unsettling, and extravagant, and has been incredibly influential for the horror genre.
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