10 movies that tried way too hard to be cult classics – And totally failed

Some cult classics gain fame not for their brilliance, but for their bizarre charm, offbeat humor, or sheer strangeness. While a few of these cult classic films eventually earn respect as misunderstood masterpieces, many are remembered for quite the opposite. In their attempt to stand out with bold or unconventional choices, some movies spiral into chaos.

Critics pan them, audiences move on, and the public forgets—until they’re brought up again for all the wrong reasons. Here are a few cult classic films that aimed to captivate but became iconic for their spectacular misfires.

Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

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Here is the list of the 10 movies that tried way too hard to be cult classics and totally failed:

10. Battlefield Earth (2000)

Battlefield Earth was a bold science fiction movie produced using the novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The cult classic film starred John Travolta as the alien villain Terl, depicting a dystopian future in which large extraterrestrial beings known as Psychlos. Viewers have seen that the Psychlos have supplanted mankind.

This cult classic film was criticized for almost everything, particularly its theatrical acting, ambiguous language, and perplexing Dutch-angle photography, despite being marketed as a massive space epic. Despite a budget of over $73 million, the picture failed miserably, earning only $29 million. The film's attempt to be a serious sci-fi film with cult appeal was a complete disaster. This film is now popular for being one of the most cult classic, critically acclaimed films in history.

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9. Sextette (1978)

When Sextette came out, Mae West was 85 years old. The film was meant to be her last appearance as the charming and funny star that everyone loved. This cult classic film tells the story of an aging movie star who goes on her sixth honeymoon with her husband amidst political silliness, and it is based on the original theatrical play. The movie received several criticisms despite the participation of actors like Alice Cooper and Timothy Dalton.

Some people criticized the film for its old-fashioned look, slow tempo, and West’s attempt to act sexy while being so old. The entire movie seems outdated and forgotten because Marianne didn't alter her behavior. The public didn’t go along with the director’s ideals. Sextette is renowned for being a strange and peculiar experience rather than becoming a well-loved classic.

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8. Hudson Hawk (1991)

Hudson Hawk was Bruce Willis’s favorite movie, a mix of action, comedy, and music, about a thief who had to steal Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions. The film's key elements were wild characters, slapstick humor, and incredible choreography set to popular music. Yet, the mix of comedy and drama left people and critics confused.

This cult classic movie attempted to blend several genres, but it came out as conceited and difficult to follow. Since Willis took part in writing the story and went overboard in illustrating violence, the result was a movie that wasn’t well-received. Despite spending $65 million on the production, it only grossed $17 million in the United States. Although Hudson Hawk had some supporters, it could never become a cult film because it was too concentrated on being funny.

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7. The Bornfire of the Vanities (1990)

The Bonfire of the Vanities was based on Tom Wolfe's best-selling parody of racial politics and avarice of the 1980s, and was destined for success. Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, and Melanie Griffith feature in this cult classic movie. Brian De Palma directed the film. It was intended to capture the novel's sociological observations and cosmopolitan humor.

The cult classic film turned out to be a notable example of poor casting and a poorly thought-out usage of themes. The main character was ethically wrong, and Hanks (who is a pleasant actor) did not perform well in the role. The viewers did not find Willis’s portrayal of a cynical journalist to be realistic.

The movie didn’t keep the novel’s tough tone and therefore failed to replicate its sharp satire. Those who saw the film didn’t enjoy it, and the critics strongly disliked it. The Bonfire of the Vanities failed to gain cult status and became known for how literary adaptations should not be approached.

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6. Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)

Many people agree that Plan 9 from Outer Space is among the worst cult classic movies produced. The film shows strange aliens revive the dead to prevent people from destroying the entire universe. This cult classic movie has terrible performances, cheesy scenes, and countless errors.

The issues mentioned earlier contributed to Ed Wood's popularity. When it was first released, the movie was viewed as a failure. However, currently, it is appreciated for its special combination of humor and poor quality. Over time, it has earned a reputation as a famous cult classic.

Many viewers admire the film because it stands out from most others. This is an excellent illustration of a film that initially struggled but gained popularity among viewers of bad movies.

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5. The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (1964)

This cult classic movie is one of the longest and weirdest ever. The story centers around a man who gets triggered to kill while under the influence of a hypnotist. Despite its intention of being eerie and different, the film turned out to be confused and dull.

Most viewers thought the performance and narrative were unappealing. It had little money and appeared disorganized. The filmmakers planned to create a humorous horror film that viewers would like and remember, but it did not work out.

Most people don’t like it now, as they find it hilariously bad. Even though the significance of this strange movie was unclear to many, it has become a cult classic. Some people who used to dislike it have come to appreciate it over time. While most people might overlook it, those who love unique and classic movies still remember it fondly.

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4. Mac and Me (1998)

Mac and Me is a story about a boy and his friendship with a little alien. Just like E.T., this story features a visitor from outer space. However, the movie shows several ads for McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. Several people believed this cult classic's picture was only made for commercial purposes. The actors didn’t do a good job, and the plot was hard to follow.

The movie did not do well financially when it was released. The film attempted to be heartwarming and fun, but most people ended up laughing at it. With age, the film became known mostly for its laughable qualities in the movie world. Nowadays, several people watch it to enjoy its terrible parts. Despite being mentioned frequently, Mac and Me hasn't established itself as a cult classic.

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3. Troll 2 (1990)

Troll 2 is known to many as one of the most terrible movies ever released. This movie bears no relation to the first Troll movie, and it only features goblins, not trolls. The story is full of plot twists, the characters do poorly, and most of the jokes are accidentally made.

When it was first released, it was poorly received by the public and underperformed in theaters. However, things started to alter peculiarly after a while. The initial reason people watched those movies was their awfulness, which was very entertaining for many.

Some admirers produced a documentary about it and organized exclusive events for members. Currently, Troll 2 is regarded as a cult classic, a failure when it debuted, but it is now popular and adored for the wrong reasons. Its awfulness makes it more entertaining.

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2. Showgirls (1995)

Showgirls is about a woman who comes to Las Vegas to launch her dancing career. Adult scenes, flamboyant acting, and silly lines filled the movie. When it first released in theatres in 1995, people thought it was unfunny and criticized it as one of the worst movies ever made.

This cult classic film underperformed in theatres and negatively affected the main actress’s career. Over time, some people came to appreciate it because it was so crazy and awful. Due to its outrageousness, it has become a part of a select collection of cult films that fans like.

Now, people often have special times to watch and speak the classic quotes. The film wasn’t taken seriously by critics, yet it became famous for some reason.

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1. Monkeybone (2001)

Monkeybone follows a cartoonist who ends up in a dream world after getting in a car crash. It is there that he comes across a wild monkey comic character. This cult classic film used a combination of live action and animation to create a bizarre and hilarious atmosphere. It hoped to join the exclusive group of cool dark classics, just like Beetlejuice or The Nightmare Before Christmas.

However, the plot was hard to follow, and the jokes failed. Viewers weren’t interested, and as a result, the studio lost a great deal when the movie was released. Even though the movie had a great cast and amazing visuals, the viewers didn’t feel involved. Its attempt to stand out became a chaotic outcome. Unlike the majority of true cult masterpieces, Monkeybone did not have a devoted fan base.

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In conclusion, these cult classic films, in contrast to others produced with excessive effort, become cult classics because of their charm and originality. Even though each film in this list had an ambitious goal, the combination of bad acting, confused storytelling, and strange direction kept its admirers from staying loyal.