For decades, the silver screen has introduced audiences all across the world to a slew of celebrated cult classics that have captivated and entertained fans regardless of their critical or commercial performance at the box office. Movies that amass a passionate cult following are not always (if ever) the darlings of cinema, and some of the most popular flicks were even notoriously scorned by the masses (such as the infamous erotic blunder Showgirls).
And yet, the negative blowback doesn’t stop curious viewers from revisiting these alleged Hollywood duds over and over again, with many cult classics falling under the so-bad-it’s-good category. However, there are certainly cult films that have only grown in admiration and appreciation since their initial debuts (like David Bowie’s epic fantasy musical Labyrinth), and many feature some of the entertainment industry’s most sensational stars including Jake Gyllenhaal, Keanu Reeves, and Sandra Bullock.
Here are 13 cult classic movies you can stream for free.
13 Labyrinth (1986)
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Music legend and pop culture icon David Bowie delivered an unforgettable performance when he portrayed Jareth the Goblin King in Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy musical Labyrinth, which follows the determined 16-year-old Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) as she finds herself embarking upon a daring and dangerous mission into a wondrous world after wishing her baby brother would be taken away by the goblins in her favorite book. Sarah must outsmart the powerful Goblin King and keep her wits by venturing into his fantastical labyrinth before her time runs out.
Bowie Steals the Show
Henson drew inspiration for the beloved ’80s staple from fan-favorite films and literature like The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and Maurice Sendak’s Outside Over There, and set out to find a big-name star “who could change the film’s whole musical style.” The beloved creator and puppeteer considered popular musicians like Sting, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, and Prince before ultimately choosing Bowie, who dazzled moviegoers with his incomparable portrayal and charismatic presence, helping Labyrinth become a certified cult classic.
12 Donnie Darko (2001)
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Jake Gyllenhaal was just beginning his Hollywood take-over when he appeared as the titular character in the 2001 sci-fi psychological thriller Donnie Darko, which takes place in October 1988 and focuses on the troubled teenager as he struggles with bizarre visions of a six-foot-tall, rabbit costume-wearing stranger named Frank, who warns Donnie that the world will end in precisely 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. The disillusioned Donnie finds himself influenced by Frank when he sleepwalks, committing crimes as the clock counts down.
Kelly’s Complex & Thought-Provoking Thriller
Director and writer Richard Kelly wrote the script for Donnie Darko in just 28 days and wanted to create a sci-fi coming-of-age tale that served as “an amusing and poignant recollection of suburban America in the Reagan era” and have the lead character suffer from paranoid schizophrenia because it was “a great way to ground a supernatural story” scientifically.
Donnie Darko grossed just $517,375 in its initial run but gained a passionate cult following that helped it go on to earn more than $10 million in U.S. video sales and was thus named one of Empire’s “50 Greatest Independent Films of All Time.”
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Why Donnie Darko Remains a Cult Classic
The movie world is filled with winding plot lines and unexplainable endings, but none of these may be as psychologically intriguing as Donnie Darko.
11 Clerks (1994)
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Director, writer, and comedian extraordinaire Kevin Smith made his feature directorial debut with the 1994 black-and-white comedy Clerks, launching his View Askewniverse fictional universe and introducing the world to the entertaining dynamic duo Jay and Silent Bob in the independent flick. The movie follows store clerks and close pals Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) and Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and chronicles their boring day at work, as their mundane shift is shaken up with news that Dante’s ex-girlfriend has passed away.
Smith’s Memorable Quirky Characters
Smith co-stars in the comedy as Silent Bob, with his friend and frequent collaborator Jason Mewes famously portraying Jay, marking the first of 9 films the pair would appear in together.
Clerks was shot on a budget of just $27,575 at a convenience store where Smith used to actually work, and upon its release it earned $4 million and attracted rave reviews by critics for its quirky and fun characters, outlandish screenplay, and wacky humor. The comedy won the “Award of the Youth” at the Cannes Film Festival and remains a must-watch indie hit.
10 An American Werewolf in London (1981)
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Acclaimed filmmaker John Landis crafted a trailblazing comedy-horror extravaganza with 1981’s An American Werewolf in London, which centers on friends and American graduate students David Kessler (David Naughton) and Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne) as they travel from New York City to Yorkshire, England to backpack through Europe, where the duo encounters a terrifying werewolf in the North York Moors. After being attacked by the creature, David discovers that he too is about to transform into a violent monster by the next full moon.
Landis’ Brilliant Blend of Horror & Humor
Landis first came up with the premise of the picture while working as a production assistant on 1970’s Kelly’s Heroes in Yugoslavia, where he stumbled upon a group of Romani people performing a burial ritual upon a man to ensure he doesn’t rise from the grave.
The director initially had trouble finding financiers, who felt the screenplay was too scary to be a comedy film and too funny for the world of horror. An American Werewolf in London is now lauded for the masterful blending of the genre’s elements and has emerged as an undisputed classic that won the first-ever Oscar for Best Makeup.
9 Teen Witch (1989)
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Undeniably one of the most underrated gems of the ’80s is the 1989 fantasy comedy Teen Witch, a fun and nostalgia-filled flick that stars Robyn Lively as fifteen-year-old Louise Miller, who upon celebrating her sixteenth birthday makes the stunning discovery that she has magical capabilities and is actually a witch, prompting the teenager to use her newfound powers to become popular and finally win over her longtime crush. With the guidance of the psychic Madame Serena (Zelda Rubinstein), she attempts to navigate her new life and identity.
A Campy ’80s Classic
Initially conceptualized as a gender-flipped version of the ’85 hit Teen Wolf, the fantasy film’s first draft was far more raunchy and racy a la the teen comedy Porky’s, though it was ultimately re-worked for a PG-13 rating and instead added musical sequences. Teen Witch faced stiff competition at the box office including Field of Dreams and Pet Sematary, which contributed to its extremely disappointing $27,843 earnings.
It fared far better on home video and slowly became a must-see, with the New York Post calling it, “a cult classic that defies classification thanks to a curious combination of songs, spells and skin.”
8 Phantasm (1979)
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The first installment in the thrilling sci-fi horror franchise, 1979’s Phantasm introduced moviegoers to the spine-tingling villain the Tall Man, a malevolent supernatural being that poses as a mortician and reanimates the deceased as deformed zombies, wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting residents of a small town. After witnessing the Tall Man’s shady handling of a corpse at a funeral, the 13-year-old teams up with his reluctant older brother Jody and family friend Reggie to take down the terrifying entity.
A Dazzling Cinematic Feat for Coscarelli
Most of the cast and crew in Phantasm were amateurs and aspiring acting hopefuls, with director and writer Don Coscarelli largely funding the film himself and with the help of his father, with the budget being estimated at just $300,000.
He also served as both cameraman and editor since he could not afford to hire one, and his hard work paid off as Phantasm went on to gross $22 million worldwide and received appreciation for its spooky special effects, frightening villain, and depiction of death and grief. The horror flick has gone on to have a major influence on the hair-raising drama and its success led to four direct sequels, though none as popular as the original.
7 Tommy Boy (1995)
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Beloved friends and Saturday Night Live greats Chris Farley and David Spade joined comedic forces to star in the uproarious 1995 farce Tommy Boy, which follows the dim-witted and socially immature Tommy Callahan (Farley) as he attempts to finally step up and prove he’s capable of making something of himself after the death of his compassionate industrialist father. Tommy must work with his family’s uptight and snarky accountant Richard Hayden (Spade) to save his late dad’s automobile parts factory, which is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Farley’s Wonderfully Wacky Performance
The former SNL cast members were in peak side-splitting form as they effortlessly played off one another in the entertaining comedy, which also featured the talents of familiar faces like Dan Aykroyd, Bo Derek, and Rob Lowe.
Though Tommy Boy earned $32.7 million during its initial theatrical run, it still proved to be a box office disappointment given the star power of Farley, but it found new life on home video and helped it become a bona fide cult hit. The ’90s staple captured Farley in all his delightfully zany glory and winningly displayed his endearing bond with Spade.
6 Masters of the Universe (1987)
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Hot off the heels of his career-defining performance as Ivan Drago in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky IV, Dolph Lundgren decided to venture into the world of superheroes when he headlined 1987’s Masters of the Universe. Based on the Mattel media franchise, the film stars Lundgren as the powerful and mighty He-Man, who travels to planet Earth in search of a cosmic key that will help him defeat his diabolical archenemy Skeletor (Frank Langella), which is found by teenagers Kevin (Robert Duncan McNeill) and Julie (Courteney Cox).
A Cherished Gem By ’80s Fans
Masters of the Universe delivered a heaping dose of entertaining screwball comedy and featured Lundgren as a courageous and imposing hero fans of the toy line couldn’t help but root for, as he faced off against the nefarious Skeletor.
Neither a critical nor commercial hit, Masters of the Universe was one of the reasons why Cannon Films eventually closed down, though since its release 37 years ago it has been described as “…beloved of ’80s kids but scorned by critics, it’s a high camp oddity that we should celebrate on its own terms.” A second live-action film of the franchise is set to be released in 2026 and will be directed by Travis Knight.
5 Point Break (1991)
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Hollywood heartthrobs Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves showcased their dazzling physical prowess when they starred in Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 knockout Point Break, with Reeves portraying rookie FBI agent Johnny Utah as he goes undercover and poses as a surfer in order to infiltrate a group of bank robberies who sport masks of former presidents during their bizarre crime spree. Johnny finds himself developing an unexpected connection with the team’s charismatic leader Bodhi (Swayze), complicating the case and where his loyalty lies.
Reeves & Swayze Make Movie Magic
Prior to Reeves being cast in the lead role of Johnny Utah, up-and-comers like Johnny Depp, Val Kilmer, and Matthew Broderick were all considered, and both Reeves and Swayze trained with world-class pro surfer Dennis Jarvis to learn how to navigate the daring water action sequences. Swayze would go on to reveal that he almost died between six and ten times during production, and his dedication paid off as Point Break grossed over $83 million and further established both Reeves and Swayze as sought-after leading men.
4 Practical Magic (1998)
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Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman helped create a cherished autumn staple when they appeared as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in the 1998 romantic fantasy film Practical Magic, with the siblings coming from a long line of prominent and powerful witches and having been raised by their caring aunts following the the tragic death of their parents from a devastating family curse. Together, Sally and Gillian must utilize their magical powers to break the curse and protect themselves from a nefarious spirit from Gillian’s past.
A Spooky Season Fan-Favorite
The winning chemistry between Bullock and Kidman as well as the spellbinding atmosphere and intriguing premise helped Practical Magic become a spooky season must-watch amongst fans.
Though it failed to dominate the box office and attracted a lackluster response from critics, that hasn’t stopped audiences from watching Practical Magic year after year, with the ’90s gem amassing a passionate cult following that ultimately led to a highly-buzzed-about sequel being announced with both talented leading ladies set to reprise their respective roles.
3 Showgirls (1995)
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Undeniably one of the silver screen’s most notoriously panned movies of all time, the 1995 erotic drama Showgirls infamously stars Saved by the Bell alum Elizabeth Berkley as drifter and aspiring performer Nomi Malone, who finds herself pursuing her big dreams of achieving fame and fortune in Las Vegas and becoming the Sin City’s greatest showgirl. Nomi slowly begins to climb her way to the top of the city’s nightlife scene and make a name for herself, but she quickly begins to wonder if the glitz and glamor is all a facade.
A Notorious Critical & Commercial Failure
Showgirls was universally panned and ripped apart upon its initial debut, with many criticizing the drama’s overwhelming use of nudity and declaring it demeaning towards women, with both Berkley’s character Nomi and the film’s weak screenplay also receiving ire from the masses.
Regardless of the initial backlash, Showgirls has become a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic that has been re-evaluated in recent years and appreciated for its satiric approach to storytelling, though it is nonetheless still considered one of the worst movies ever made (which only contributes to its allure).
2 Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)
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Another so-bad-it’s-good Hollywood extravaganza is none other than the 1978 parody film Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, a spoof of B movies that focuses on the efforts of a group of determined scientists who are tasked with putting an end to the bloody and murderous spree of mutated tomatoes that have become sentient, with the fruit revolting against their confinements and humanity. When the tomatoes go on a brutal rampage, the government task force and scientists must act quick to prevent a worldwide catastrophe.
A Surprising Parody Franchise Is Born
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes was made with a budget of just $100,420 and was able to gross $576,000 at the box office in spite of the harsh response from critics, with Variety harshly declaring at the time that the film “isn’t even worthy of sarcasm.”
Though it currently holds just a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes was appreciated by entertained fans and spawned three follow-up sequels including 1988’s Return of the Killer Tomatoes!, which featured an early appearance by then-relative unknown George Clooney, though each installment fared just as poorly with critics.
1 Clue (1985)
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Touting a star-studded ensemble cast led by Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan, and Martin Mull, the 1985 black comedy mystery Clue masterfully brings the beloved board game to life and takes in 1954 at a remote New England Mansion where six strangers gather for a dinner party hosted by the scheming and blackmailing Mr. Boddy, who turns up dead before the night’s festivities can truly begin. The vastly different guests must gather together to get to the bottom of the shocking murder, with hilarity and hijinks naturally ensuing.
A Worthy Adaptation of the Classic Board Game
Curry’s hilarious scene-stealing performance as the butler Wadsworth helped make Clue an electrifying big-screen adaptation, and both fans and critics couldn’t get enough of the delightful chaos and zany antics of the popular characters like Professor Plum (Lloyd) and Colonel Mustard (Mull).
In the nearly forty years since the release of the adored film, Clue remains celebrated for its wildly entertaining take on the classic whodunit game and for Curry’s powerhouse portrayal of the devious (and spirited) outing as the butler, with many declaring it one of the actor’s finest.
