Page 1 of What defines a cult movie?

Title says it all really....can anyone come up with a workable definition of what a cult movie is? I have searched the site and find many references to `cult classics` but would be interested to know how different people define it.

Cheers
Riggs

I`m too old for this sh*t!

My stab at a definition

A movie that is not mainstream, or did not do well critically. However since that time has gathered a significant following from a group of like minded enthusiasts (AKA Cult).

Its probably also a way of saying its good but not popular. "It bombed at the box-office but has since become a cult-movie".

Likeing a cult movie is akin to belonging to an exclusive club. Would you want to belong to a club that would have you as a member though :-) I`m sure you could write a deep psychological paper on what needs this fullfills...

Julian.

Something that`s only liked by anoraks?

Okay, I`ll be serious. The movie must be strongly liked by a minority of the population whose interest goes beyond relative superficial interests in plot, acting, etc to a shared interest (and possibly belief) in the implied infrastructure of the world in which the movie is set. In some cases, this interest may be extended to acting out the parts of characters in the movie, but this is not necessary. The interest shown by the remainder of the population is relatively unimportant, although indifference or even hostility may heighten the appeal to those who like it.

Thus, Star Wars is a prime example of a cult movie. A lot of people like it, but it`s a minority who actually take it seriously (unfortunately Internet sites give a bloated impression of how many SWs diehard fans there are, because of course the Internet is the second home of a huge proportion of SWs cult members). Blade Runner is another cult movie, but people don`t feel the need to dress up.

A cult film or TV show is generally one which is regarded as of high quality by the minority and all but ignored by the masses - It`s appeal is not necessarily reflected by it`s box office takings or viewing figures.

In response to Kang who presented Star Wars as a cult movie...this is where my problem begins. I could believe that Star Wars began as a cult movie, but is it now not a `mainstream` movie in that most people will have heard of it even if they haven`t seen it?

I can understand the argument regarding acting out the parts etc. but still would consider it a mainstream film.

Riggs

I`m too old for this sh*t!

The confusion arises because a proportion of Star Wars fans share the same geeky obssession traits associated with hardcore fans of cult movies.

The difference with the majority of cult fare is that it doesn`t have the mainstream appeal or attention of the masses that Star Wars does.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th December 2004, 14:04

I would say the definitions above. A cult movie isn`t necessarily a classic movie though. Only time will tell on that score.

I don`t consider Star Wars to be a cult movie as it has been embraced by a mainstream audience - films like Withnail & I and Duck Soup are as most hate them or don`t `get` them but those who like them, love them.


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I`d agree with some of the points made. I don`t consider Star Wars to be a cult film because it`s done huge business from day one and is now a part of popular culture. Of the 350 odd films I own I doubt many of them truly qualify as `cult` films.

Movies like Clerks and Donnie Darko started off as cult titles but have since moved over into the mainstream because of the high profile they now benefit from (or endure, depending on your point of view).

Of the films I have most of the `cult` titles are foreign, because mainstream audiences simply don`t seem to have an interest in subtitled movies. I think Battle Royale used to be a cult film, but now that`s been publicised to death in film/lad mags. Hero would probably have qualified until recently. Both films had strong followings over here way before they got official releases. Rocky Horror stopped being a cult flick years ago.

I think `cult` is a very difficult thing to categorise. I`d put Krull in the cult category, because I`ve only ever heard it mentioned on an episode of Spaced :) They Live is probably another. Manhunter is another, because it`s been largely overlooked in favour of the newer films. Near Dark is maybe another. Oh, and Lynch`s Dune.

For me a `cult` film is one that didn`t do spectacularly well at the box office, but quietly broke even thanks to the efforts of people who go to the cinema to see more than the latest Vin Diesel no-brainer. Of course, most `cult` films usually end up as mainstream releases anyway. It`s all terribly subjective (like most things to do with film).

I think The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes qualify as cult movies. As Chris Gould said, there are movies that have developed from cult to mainstream movies and Star Wars, Clerks and Donnie Darko qualify in the same way as (on the small screen) Doctor Who and Star Trek. Most of these TV shows or movies have a hard core fanbase who go to the conventions, buy all the merchandise, dress up and repeat the dialogue in conversations.

In the age of multiplexes, multi channel TV and the internet, there are few movies that can gain cult status as they will gain publicity and a larger following. Once a movie has been spoofed on SNL, The Simpsons etc. then they have become a mainstream movie and no longer have cult status.


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