- Not all movies are appreciated at their time of release
- Films that grow a fandom later on are known as "cult films"
- These cult classics were total box office bombs!
The Independent recently offered readers a list of cult-classic movies that bombed at the box office. Some of these may surprise you.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). When this Gene Wilder classic was originally released, it made just $1 million in profits.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Despite making the top of IMDb's "Top 250" list, this Stephen King adaptation earned only $16 million at the box office.
Cult classics like Donnie Darko were box office bombs
The Iron Giant (1999). One of the greatest animated films of all time made just $31.3 million at the global box office against a $70 to $80 million budget.
Donnie Darko (2001). Despite earning a cult following, Donnie Darko grossed just over $7.5 million against a budget of $4.5 million.
Blade Runner (1982). Ridley Scott’s seminal sci-fi film had a lacklustre opening theatrical run, making back just $10.5 million more than its $30 million budget.
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Children of Men (2006). This grim dystopian thriller, widely considered one of the best films of the 21st century, failed to make back as much as it cost in its box office run.
Citizen Kane (1941). Orson Welles' beloved classic also failed to recoup its costs when it was released in 1941.
Fight Club (1999). David Fincher's adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel had an underwhelming run in theaters after studio execs cut the film's planned marketing campaign.
Mulholland Drive (2001). Despite being considered one of the best films of all time, this David Lynch movie was so difficult to market that it couldn't recoup its $20 million budget.
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