There are many films now considered cult classics that were initially overlooked by everyone, only to become instant hits many years later. In the weird and funny world of cinema, we can compare these movies to the nerdy guy in school whom everyone ignores at first but starts to love when he suddenly becomes cool after college.
These films didn’t wreak havoc at the box office at the time of their release but are making records in blu-ray sales and online watch hours. So, let’s take a look at five such movies that went from the “Meh” list to the “Must watch” hall of fame.
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1. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: From Prison Cell to Cult Classic
Okay, picture this: a movie about a guy wrongly accused, thrown into the clinker, and it’s not even in color. Sounds like a snooze fest, right? Wrong! ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ was a box office flop that somehow crawled through a river of indifference to come out clean on the other side as a fan favorite.
People initially shrugged it off, but then it’s like everyone collectively realized, “Hey, this is pretty good!” It’s now the kind of movie that, if it’s on TV, you’re watching it, no questions asked.
2. ‘Fight Club’: First Rule – You Don’t Watch Fight Club
Remember that weird movie where Edward Norton beats himself up and Brad Pitt is just a figment of his imagination? Yep, ‘Fight Club’. This flick bombed so hard initially that you’d think it was a rule not to watch it.
But then, out of nowhere, it became this cult phenomenon. Now, it’s like a rite of passage to quote it (“First rule of Fight Club…”) and pretend you understood it all along. Plus, who can resist the allure of a soap-making Brad Pitt?
3. ‘Blade Runner’: The Rainy Day Classic
So, ‘Blade Runner’ came out, and everyone was like, “What’s this moody, rainy movie with Harrison Ford moping around?” It was more snores than scores at the box office. Fast forward, and boom – it’s a sci-fi staple.
The whole neon-noir vibe? Yeah, that was ‘Blade Runner’ before it was cool. Now, everyone’s all about those replicants and the deep, philosophical questions the movie raises. It’s the go-to movie for when you’re feeling introspective on a rainy day.
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4. ‘Office Space’: The Unlikely Hero Of The 9 To 5 Grind
This one’s hilarious. ‘Office Space’ was basically ignored when it hit theaters. It’s a movie about mundane office life, TPS reports, and a stapler obsession – sounds thrilling, right? But somehow, this little movie became every office worker’s battle cry.
Quotes from the film are like a secret handshake in the corporate world. It’s the ultimate “I hate my job, but I can laugh about it” movie. If you’ve ever wanted to smash a printer in a field, thank ‘Office Space‘.
5. ‘Big Lebowski’: The Dude Abides, Eventually
And then there’s ‘The Big Lebowski’. This film was such a head-scratcher at first. A laid-back dude, a rug that really tied the room together, and a whole lot of bowling – it’s not your typical recipe for success. But now? It’s a cultural icon.
The Dude became the patron saint of chill, and the movie turned into this weird, wonderful world where nothing and everything makes sense. You know a movie’s made it when it spawns its own religion (Dudeism, anyone?).
So there you have it, five movies that sneaked up from behind and grabbed the title of “fan favorite.” It’s funny how these things work out. One minute, you’re the movie nobody wants to watch, and the next, you’re the one everyone’s talking about. Goes to show, you can’t judge a movie by its opening weekend. Now, go rewatch these gems and appreciate their journey from zero to hero!
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