So why were the two films we just listed considered cult films? I know him because we made a little cult movie together called Willow. Fans of these films worldwide can share their enthusiasm. WITHNAIL AND I (1987): A common denominator in many cult films are memorable characters and memorable quotes, two things this classic British comedy has by the gallon.Two alcohol- and drug-dependent actors find themselves “on holiday by mistake”, trapped in the country wrestling with their own demons and a predatory uncle. Why Is Splitting the Bill Called “Going Dutch”? A quick definition for cult films A term denoting an eclectic group of films defined post hoc in terms of their consumption by dedicated and devoted groups of filmgoers who engage in repeat viewing, celebratory enthusiasm, and performative interaction (memorizing dialogue, … To talk about maybe the most famous cult movie … International films (like The Grudge or The Ring before they were remade) are often considered cult films because they simply weren’t available to widespread audiences in America. The film that popularized the term “mockumentary," This Is Spinal Tap tells the story of fictional rockers Spinal Tap,… cult movie. A film that has a passionate fan base despite lacking critical acclaim, box office success, and/or mainstream interest. Whereas most film genres contain predictable traits and conventions that are revealed through specific iconographic cues, the cult film typically has no such indictors. A film that. In the era of classic Hollywood, few films had the opportunity to develop cult followings due to regular turnover at theaters and the lack of subsequent distribution on media like television or home video that would allow audiences to see movies outside of their initial theatrical runs. So why were the two films we just listed considered cult films? That in itself seems counter to the definition of a cult following, which is why some argue that the term is just meaningless now. Well, for. For example, "El Topo" (1970), "Pink Flamingos" (1972), and "The Harder They Come" (1972), which all had lengthy runs at theaters like New York City’s famed Elgin Theater. Cult followings tend to have a heavy emotional attachment to the property as well. When Did Movies Go From Black and White to Color? Simply put, cult media requires a cult-like following. The term “cult film” (and later “cult classic” as the film ages) is used to describe a movie that has developed a small, but significant and thoroughly dedicated, fanbase that grows over time. International films also aren’t beholden to what Americans consider “good movies”. The Sporcle Guide on How to Disable Your Ad Blocker, 24 of the Best Sites to Kill Time On the Internet. Despite its increasing inclusiveness, there are still a handful of common threads that define a cult film. 101 More Interesting Trivia Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. Christopher McKittrick is a film writer whose work has been featured in anthologies such as 100 Entertainers Who Changed America. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a cult following with a specific group of fans. While hugely successful blockbuster franchises like "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" have such enthusiastic fans that the movies seem to have cult-like influence, the term “cult film” specifically refers to movies that despite being much less successful financially nonetheless have passionate fans. They are often considered controversial because they step outside standard narrative and technical conventions. was very successful internationally (pretty much everywhere except America). What Is Yom Kippur? Nonetheless, a few non-mainstream films attained notoriety in late-night screenings, such as the controversial 1932 MGM horror movie "Freaks.". Or it might go against what you think is right. Even after home video many theaters make annual events of certain films. New Badges: Ben There, Done That, Written in Stone, and Motion Clicktures, 18 Jane Austen Quotes with Pride (and maybe prejudice? Which means yes, real-life professors have sat down and talked about The Room. While cult films range from campy science fiction to highly graphic horror movies and just about everything in between, there are a few characteristics that most cult films share: The one criteria that all cult movies have in common is that they are not popular with general audiences or at the box office… at least not initially. That in itself seems counter to the definition of a cult following, which is why some argue that the term is just meaningless now. Cult films, and cult media, are usually transgressive in nature. Few films can have that type of effect on audiences and inspire such dedication from their fans, which makes cult movies perhaps the best type of movies — endless fun for their most devoted fans! So inclusive, that some have made claims the term is now meaningless. Cult film synonyms, Cult film pronunciation, Cult film translation, English dictionary definition of Cult film. Before VHS and DVD art film houses would frequently show these films year after year. Soon, the movie’s popularity grows in unexpected and unintended ways, even sometimes among audiences who overlooked the movie in the first place. Synonym: cult movie Hyponym: cult classic 2016, I.Q. But it’s because of their box-office failures that these films tend to develop cult followings with such strong emotional attachments. ... it has become a cult film due to its low-budget production values and idiosyncratic style. Eraserhead. 5 Classic Movies That Were Box Office Flops, Film Aspect Ratio: The History of Widescreen Movies. A Description and Overview. These three movies are just a few examples of hilariously bad movies that are popular midnight movies. Cult audiences tend to gravitate toward the strange and different. The latter. Cult movie are the movies known for their dedicated and passionate fan base. In fact, VHS helped spread the popularity of an uncountable number of cult movies, which gave many underappreciated movies new life. They first came to existence in the mid 60s as the midnight movies or underground movies. Regular attendees recite dialogue along with the movie, dress as their favorite characters, and throw objects at the screen (much to the irritation of theater owners and cleaning staffs). (Last Updated On: September 13, 2018) Religions have many holidays or holy days, with one typically being of the utmost importance and holiness. 23 Martin Luther King Jr. So a film might subvert what you traditionally think is a “good” movie, intentionally or unintentionally (ala The Room). Movies designated with cult status attract special audiences because they’re so very different and much more provocative than mainstream populist fare. Cult films are also often critically panned, or are financial failures. They’ve decided that they want to move against the cultural normal when it comes to a specific film or films. Part 2: 10 Popular Cult Movies of All Time . Usually it's for an older film, or perhaps one that under-performed at the box office. Asking what makes a movie (or any media for that matter) a “cult film” can open up a fairly long rabbit hole of discussion; one so deep even academics have debated about it. They often go against critical or moral norms (and sometimes both), rejecting what people at the time thought was good or right. Or it might go against what you think is right. This is why a movie can be mainstream in its home country, but still classified as a cult film in the US. While mainstream audiences and critics might find such content distasteful or even downright disturbing, others embrace these movies for offering audiences something different. translation and definition "cult movie", Dictionary English-English online. are both considered cult films now, but under the definitions we’ve laid out, this would seem wrong. , often small and for a niche market cult film in the US ]... 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