10 Massive Box Office Flops That Secretly Became Cult Classics
Opening weekend numbers do not define cinematic greatness. These ten iconic films lost millions during their initial theatrical runs before home video, critical reappraisal, and devoted fandoms turned them into legendary masterpieces.
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10 Massive Box Office Flops That Secretly Became Cult Classics
10. The Iron GiantThe animated masterpiece grossed only $31 million against its $70 million budget.
9. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The WorldThe dynamic comic adaptation earned just $48 million on an $85 million budget.
8. Donnie DarkoThe mind-bending teen sci-fi drama grossed under $5 million theatrically.
7. Event HorizonThe gruesome cosmic horror lost $18 million before finding cult stardom.
6. Children Of MenThe visionary dystopian thriller failed to recoup its $76 million budget.
5. The ThingJohn Carpenter's shape-shifting masterpiece was crushed at the box office by E.T.
4. The Big LebowskiThe Coen brothers' stoner detective comedy barely broke even upon release.
3. Blade RunnerRidley Scott's cyberpunk noir flopped against summer blockbusters in 1982.
2. The Shawshank RedemptionThe future IMDb #1 movie made only $16 million in theaters.
1. Fight ClubDavid Fincher's satirical counter-culture masterpiece lost money in US theaters.