Definition of Cult Movies
A cult movie refers to a film with a large devoted fan base. Unlike major box office hits, a cult movie may not yield profits while in the theater, but rather gains momentum in DVD rentals and sales as well as cable television airings. There are a number of reasons a film can generate a cult following, and some that cannot be explained at all.
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History
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Cult films, widely made popular in the 1980s with many John Hughes productions, can be traced back to the late 1950s. During this time period, television sets made their way into the living rooms of homes across the United States. Television programming would often air films that did not perform as well during their theater run, and in turn developed a new set of fans who revitalized them. Films such as The Wizard of Oz and King Kong received such notoriety.
Identification
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Cult movies do not fall into one particular category. Whether campy horror flicks or a subpar comedy, a cult film ranges in style and genre. By definition, however, most traditional cult movies are either westerns, science fiction, horror, low budget or dark comedy. Regardless of style, a cult movie is identified by its underlying feelings of subcultural difference that resonate with its audience.
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Types
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Hollywood has inadvertently produced many cult films. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, for example, quickly became a cult phenomenon during its midnight showings at theaters. Moviegoers were known to dress up like the characters from the film. The movie has been resurrected years later and continues to evoke a strong and devoted fan base. Other cult movies include Heathers, Zoolander, Dazed & Confused, Casablanca, The Night of the Living Dead and many more.
Misconceptions
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Due to cult movies' specific and sometimes eccentric following, it is a common misconception that viewers will either love or hate the film. Another misconception regarding cult films is that they are all low-budget. For example, the 2001 cult movie Zoolander was produced with a $28 million dollar budget. The Ben Stiller comedy did not perform well in the theaters, but once released on DVD it became a blockbuster hit.
Societal Impacts
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One reason why cult movies are so popular is because they often deviate from societal norms. They touch on religion, political stance, sexuality, ethnic backgrounds and other topics that many deem controversial. Depending on the decade when the film was produced, there may be specific themes that resonate with the film's fan base. The themes that allow cult films to transcend generations are the reason why the films continue to be popular in the modern day.
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References
- Photo Credit old movie film onwhite background image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
