There are a variety of cult movies: films that had a small fan base or were not initially well received upon its release. However, since the genre has developed a larger fan base, the range of movie choices is only growing. The movies within the cult genre can stretch from the realm of fantasy, to random comedies, and grizzly horror movies. Here is a list of cult classics with a variety of various themes and genres for newcomers to choose from, that are sure to help finding a movie much easier.

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is a science fiction, horror comedy directed by John De Bello that was released in 1978. Since its release, there have been a number of sequels to the original film including Return of the Killer Tomatoes released in 1988, Killer Tomatoes Strike Back released in 1990, and Killer Tomatoes Eat Paris released in 1991. The movie is a creative low-budget horror comedy that follows the group of sentient tomatoes as they terrorize America. The total run time for the movie is one hour and twenty-seven minutes long.

Little Shop of Horrors released in 1986 directed by Frank Oz is a musical horror comedy based on the Little Shop of Horrors Musical from Broadway and the Little Shop of Horrors movie released in 1960. The movie focuses on Seymour, an average flower shop employee, after his confrontation with a man eating Venus flytrap. In the movie, he must feed the Venus flytrap and avoid being caught while also dealing with his own personal problems with love. In total, the movie runs for about one hour and thirty-three minutes.

The Princess Bride created in 1987 by Rob Reiner and based on the book The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a retelling of classic fairytale stories with an odd twist. The movie recounts the story of girl, Buttercup, and a boy, Westley, who finally reunite after years of separation, but are unable to marry because Buttercup is already engaged to Prince Humperdinck. Throughout the movie both the Buttercup and Westley face a variety of trials to finally be together. The movie is one hour and thirty-eight minutes long.

Mars Attacks is a creative Tim Burton film  with an interesting take on the idea of aliens, and what they might do to the humans they encounter, released in 1996. The movie is about the lives of various individuals throughout the United States after the world encounters Martians for the first time. In the movie, the Martians wage war with Earth leading to an interesting change in everyone’s lives as the aliens abduct, and attack various unknowing individuals. The movie is one hour and forty-six minutes long.

The Monty Python movies, Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life, Monty Python’s the Life of Brian, and Monty Python’s and the Holy Grail, released between 1975 to 1983 are a group of creative, humorous, and random movies directed by Terry Jones. In the movies, the all-male British comedy group, Monty Python, retells stories and tries to explain the reason life exists through a series of shorts that create a larger story. The movies display a unique blend of random and bizarre humor that can be both shocking to its viewers, yet pleasing and refreshing.  

My Neighbor Totoro is a fantasy film released by studio Ghibli in 1993, directed by Hayao Miyazaki about a pair of sisters who meet a magical forest spirit named Totoro. In the movie, the sisters and Totoro go on bright and wondrous adventures between the human world and the spirit world that are sure to leave a feeling of childlike glee in all it’s viewers. Its total run time is one hour and twenty-eight minutes.

A Clockwork Orange is a dark and bizarre Stanley Kubrick film released in 1971 that follows the life of Alex, a young man who was the leader of a ruthless gang of criminals. In the movie, Alex is turned into the authorities by his own gang, and is quickly sent to a torturous form of therapy to prevent him from committing any further crimes. However the therapy, leads to tormenting effects on Alex’s life even following his release, making it virtually impossible for him to live a normal life. The movie runs for a total of two hour and seventeen minutes.

Rocky Horror Picture Show directed by Richard O’Brien and released in 1975 is a horror comedy that features a variety of intriguing individuals with unique personalities. The film is about the adventure of Brad and Janet as they stay in Dr.Frank-N-Furter’s mansion after hitting a flat tire during a storm. In the movie, the couple must deal with the odd activities of their host and his other guests while trying to endure their rather interesting stay. In total the movie is one hour and forty-one minutes long.

The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrik and released in 1980 is a horror film that tells the story of the Torrance family’s stay at the haunted Overlook Hotel. In the film, Jack Torrance slowly and begins to lose his sanity, and becomes increasingly more violent and unpredictable. The movie is based on the Stephen King novel The Shining and lasts two hours and twenty-six minutes.

Hopefully this list helps make finding a cult movie easier, and displays the unique worlds and stories of comedies, dramas, horrors, and fantasies encompassing the genre.