‘90s Box Office Flops That Became Cult Classics

The 1990s was an iconic decade. Known for its glittering access and churning one blockbuster hit after another, it allowed movie lovers to indulge in the most spectacular dramas and fast-paced action thrillers while also pushing creative boundaries. Back then, it was as if a movie wouldn’t open without being a commercial success.

It was an extraordinary decade for Hollywood; it delivered the highest-grossing movies in history, with massive franchises like Jurassic Park and blockbuster hits like Titanic becoming mainstays. But amidst the glamor and success, there were a number of movies that were considered bland upon initial release. These movies failed at the box office for various reasons like unsuccessful marketing, competing with bigger names, or simply being too ahead of their time.

However, in the following years, these treasures from the 90s went on to become cult classics. From theatrical re-runs to home video releases, they left an indelible mark on viewers, who adored the movies for their bold storytelling, brilliant ensembles, and quirky tone. In this list, we celebrate the underdogs that only grew stronger and became full-fledged cult sensations after bombing at the box office.

21 Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Budget – $12.5 Million; Box Office – $10.7 Million

Based on David Mamet’s 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, Glengarry Glen Ross familiarizes you with the struggle, cold calling, and high pressure sales tactics at a real estate office. After all the salesmen are given an ultimatum where all but two employees will be fired within one week, men begin using cutthroat tactics to flourish in the do-or-die situation, but it only puts them into limelight.

An Intense Character Study

The movie featured powerhouse performances from the industry’s best names, including Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin, and yet, it failed to connect with audiences during its initial release.

Its unflinching portrayal of people at their most ruthless was a difficult watch for many, earning the movie only $10.7 million at the box office against a $12.5 million budget. It wasn’t until years after that Glengarry Glen Ross became a well-crafted thriller that examines what capitalism and competition look like.

20 Braindead/Dead Alive (1992)

Budget – $3 Million; Box Office – $242,623

Before he found global success for directing big budget movies like The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, Peter Jackson made Dead Alive (or Braindead) on a budget of $3 million. It’s your usual humans-fighting-zombie narrative that begins with the protagonist’s overprotective mother spying on him when he’s out with his potential girlfriend and getting bitten by a hybrid rat-monkey creature and triggering an outbreak, but its over-the-top gore and violence takes the genre to new extremes.

A Gore-Fest Like No Other

You’d think that recouping $3 million with a zombie horror would be a piece of cake, but Dead Alive only managed to make $240,000 at the box office. It was a hit with the critics, who made note of the absurdly excessive use of fake blood and body parts as an insane commitment to brilliant filmmaking, but maybe the viewers found its style odd. Today, the movie is celebrated among horror fans for redefining what’s possible on screen while depicting pure carnage.

19 Hocus Pocus (1993)

Budget – $28 Million; Box Office – $8.1 Million

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, Hocus Pocus follows a new-in-town teenager Max Dennison, who lightheartedly roams around town in the dark and accidentally resurrects a coven of sister witches who were cursed for murder three hundred years ago. Now, the wicked Sanderson Sisters, played by the beloved trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, are hungry for children’s lives in order to maintain their youth.

Hocus Pocus Became A Seasonal Delight

Now a Disney classic and a must-watch during the Halloween season, it is hard to believe that Hocus Pocus flew under the radar and lost Disney around $16.5 million during its theatrical run. The movie was released alongside Jurassic Park, which was in the middle of establishing its record-breaking run at the time.

Fortunately, its playful tone and memorable performances found appreciation years later. The increase in home media sales also led more people to indulge in Hocus Pocus’ magic, laughter, and nostalgia.

Related: 10 Underrated ’90s Comedy Shows That Still Hold Up

18 True Romance (1993)

Budget – $12.5 Million; Box Office – $4 Million

Directed by Tony Scott from an early script written by Quentin Tarantino, True Romance centers around Clarence and Alabama, who seem like any other couple falling in love until Clarence ends up killing Alabama’s abusive pimp, Drexl, and takes a suitcase thinking it has her belongings. Turns out, the bag was full of drugs and now the lovers are being chased by the mob and the LAPD.

One of Tony Scott’s Best Works

From crunchy dialogue to an all-star 90s cast including Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, True Romance blazed with potential. It was ahead of its time in reimagining what independent cinema would become in the coming years.

It was also packed with writer Tarantino and director Scott’s signature tells like stylized violence, smart writing, and pop culture references. Upon its release, the movie was a financial failure, but cult devotion turned its status around and made it a pulpy modern classic.

17 Dazed and Confused (1993)

Budget – $6.9 Million; Box Office – $8.2 Million

Dazed and Confused captures the last day of school and the freedom associated with it for Texas teens in 1976. From hazing rituals and endless partying to romantic nonsense and drug mishaps, it takes an interconnected plot to mark the rite of passage from high school to the road ahead. The movie is told through multiple perspectives, and it features an amazing hard rock soundtrack and improvised dialogue.

An Anthem of Teenage Freedom

Director Richard Linklater always wanted the slacker classic to have an easygoing vibe to resonate with the decade, the 1970s, and sneak in sly commentary. It was a non-traditional comedy with a mellow pace; probably a reason why it did not strike a chord with the audience and grossed less than $8 million at the box office.

However, Dazed and Confused endured through generations after finding success on the home video market, with fans relating to its exploration of youth, groovy music, and high school life.

16 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Budget – $25 Million; Box Office – $16 Million

Now hailed as one of the finest Stephen King adaptations of all time, The Shawshank Redemption was actually a box-office disappointment. Its story revolves around Andy Dufresne, who is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary, where he befriends a fellow inmate named Red. Over two decades of darkness, overwhelming odds, and criminality, Andy becomes the most unconventional prisoner.

When Hope Wins Against The Odds

Frank Darabont’s nuanced direction infused King’s initial idea with genuine emotion, inspirational messages, and the kind of gravitas that still resonates. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman delivered career-defining performances and Andy and Red. Yet upon release, The Shawshank Redemption had to compete with giants like Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump. Critics recognized the film’s power and it earned seven Academy Award nominations, establishing it as a true masterpiece.

15 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Budget – $6 Million; Box Office – $5.6 Million

Directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the first and the only movie from the DC Animated Universe to get a proper theatrical release. Its narrative is directly connected to Batman: The Animated Series and it follows the titular hero having to face a shadowy villain who is terrorizing Gotham City. Andrea Beaumont, who was romantically involved with Batman in the past, seems to hold the key to destroying the mysterious vigilante.

14 Caped Crusader’s Noir Mystery

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was a landmark achievement that brought justice to its predecessor’s legacy. Not only did it bring back Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill to play Batman and Joker respectively, but it also elevated the genre with its mature exploration of Batman’s psychology.

The movie was filmed in noir-style, had compelling and artistic storytelling, and a gripping mystery at its core. Still, lack of promotions and unsuccessful marketing resulted in a $5.6 million gross at the U.S. box office.

13 The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Budget – $25 Million; Box Office – $11 Million

Perhaps the most underrated comedy co-written, produced, and directed by the Coen brothers, The Hudsucker Proxy stars Tim Robbins as a naive business school graduate. He falls victim to the other executives’ schemes, who appoint him as the new CEO of a large corporation. But, through sheer luck and accidental genius, he ends up creating a hula hoop fad and skyrockets the company value.

Coen Brothers’ Screwball Classic

Wrapped in a screwball tone and over-the-top production design, the movie was probably too experimental for its time. Even for the eccentric Coen brothers. It featured an elaborate madcap plot and a delightful cast made of Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman, Jim True and Bruce Campbell. At the box office, The Hudsucker Proxy didn’t make up for even half of its budget. But years later, after the Coens had made Fargo, the movie attracted a cult following.

Related: 10 Lesser-Known Coen Brothers’ Movies You Need to Go Back and Watch

12 Strange Days (1995)

Budget – $42 Million; Box Office – $17 Million

In the year 1999, technology has evolved to the point where people can replay memories and directly experience events that others have recorded though an electronic device called ‘SQUID.’ Lenny Nero, a former LAPD officer, comes across a chip that contains memories of a brutal attack on his ex-girlfriend, Faith. With the help of his two best friends, Lenny navigates the shady underground of data piracy, only to realize that the conspiracy is bigger than he’d imagined.

Thriller With Noir Conventions

The cynical tone and dazzling CGI of Strange Days was way ahead of its time. Director Kathryn Bigelow, still riding the high from her hit thriller, Point Blank, juxtaposed genres like science fiction and film noir to deliver a futuristic vision that gripped some but left others confused.

A major commercial failure, Strange Days made only $17 million against its $42 million budget. It was saved by a passionate standing from critics, who admired its imaginative worlds, prophetic social insights, and the constant, jarring intrigue.

11 Matilda (1996)

Budget – $36 Million; Box Office – $33 Million

Adapted from Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name, Matilda is a fantasy comedy that centers around a genius nine-year-old named Matilda Wormwood, who finds herself stuck with parents who don’t appreciate her and an older brother who neglects her. At school, she is terrified by Miss Agatha Trunchbull, the tyrannical principal. Matilda befriends Miss Honey, a kind teacher, develops telekinetic powers, and hatches a plan to get revenge on Trunchbull and her parents.

Charming and Whimsical Underdog Story

A master storyteller, Danny DeVito infused Dahl’s children’s story with immense heart and humor. He cast gifted young actors like Mara Wilson to play the titular character; her performance becoming a celebration of imaginative concepts and finding a place for outsiders to belong. Matilda’s domestic box office earnings were only $33.5 million, falling short on its production budget of $36 million. Today, the movie is considered as a timeless tale.

10 Fight Club (1996)

Budget – $63–65 Million; Box Office – $37 Million

Based on a novel by Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club still divides audiences and critics, but it’s impossible to deny the fact that Tyler Durden has become a pop culture phenomenon. He is a soap salesman who comes across a listless and insomniac office worker and the two decide to form an underground fight club for men to get all bruised and bloody and seek catharsis through fight. But as the secret society grows, Tyler’s ideas begin to spiral and take them in dangerous directions.

Accurate Portrayal of the Male Psyche

A twist-heavy tale that shocked audiences with its gritty anti-corporate tone, unflinching violence, and striking imagery, Fight Club starred Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in what can only be defined as iconic performances.

Under David Fincher’s direction, the movie made comments on masculinity and capitalist malaise – something that took its time to grow sharp. After its negative reception at the box office, Fight Club rose to cult acclaim thanks to its subversive spirit and ability to probe discussions.

9 Event Horizon (1997)

Budget – $60 Million; Box Office – $26 Million

If you are a fan of science-fiction horror and are familiar with the works of Paul W. S. Anderson, then you know just why Event Horizon makes the list. Set in 2047, the movie begins with a team of scientists being dispatched on a rescue mission to Netpune after receiving distress signals from an experimental ship that was sent to space earlier. Upon arriving, though, they realize that there are no survivors. The more they investigate, the more horrified they are by their discoveries.

A Movie That’s Vital to the Sci-Fi/Horror Genre

Anderson intended to overwhelm audiences with his gothic sci-fi movie. He infused clever and violent scares in it, pushing graphic horror to new extremes. However, before its theatrical release, much to Anderson’s dismay, the movie underwent a heavy editing process to make it more palatable for mainstream audiences. But it was not the only reason that limited its box office potential.

In the subsequent years, the deleted footage wasn’t restored, but Event Horizon’s nightmarish vision and high-concept thrills found a devoted cult following.

8 Dark City (1998)

Budget – $27 Million; Box Office – $27.2 Million

In Dark City, Rufus Sewell plays a man named John Murdoch, who wakes up in a strange hotel room with no memory of how he got there only to find out that he is wanted for a series of gruesome murders. As he tries to piece together what’s happening to him and who he can trust, Murdoch also discovers that the city is being controlled by a group of aliens called ‘Strangers,’ who are manipulating time and space.

Unique and Fascinating

Written and directed by Alex Proyas, Dark City was a mind-bending thriller well ahead of its time. Its surreal and imaginative story was shrouded in a mystery that should have hooked audiences right from the start. But it was a box office bomb.

Roger Ebert, however, was quick to praise it as a “great visionary achievement.” He even compared its thought-provoking questions about reality and memory with movies like Metropolis and 2001: A Space Odyssey and called it “original and exciting.”

Related: The Best Sci-Fi Movie of Every Year in the 1990s

7 Jack Frost (1998)

Budget – $40–85 Million; Box Office – $34.6

Not to be confused with Michael Cooney’s 1997 direct-to-video slasher flick, Jack Frost follows the titular character, a lead singer in a rock band, who aspires to become a great musician but his dreams come to a halt when he dies in a car accident only to come back to life as a snowman with the help of a magical harmonica. Frost then tries to reconnect with his grieving son Charlie and gives his career a second shot.

An Unapologetic Children’s Classic

With a premise so bizarre and a production budget of nearly $40–85 million, it’s not really a surprise that Jack Frost bombed at the box office. An odd-couple flick that eventually earned its status as a “so bad, it’s good” film, it starred Michael Keaton as Jack Frost alongside Kelly Preston and Joseph Cross. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop provided the movie its many special effects and turned it into a refreshing Christmas classic that continues to entertain families.

6 The Big Lebowski (1998)

Budget – $15 Million; Box Office – $18 Million

A literal masterpiece written, directed, and co-produced by Joel and Ethan Coen, The Big Lebowski is a stoner classic that centers around ‘the Dude’ Lebowski, who accidentally gets involved in a bizarre scheme after two goons mistake him for a millionaire. The real Lebowski then tries to compensate by asking him to deliver the ransom amount and rescue his kidnapped wife, but the beer-loving Dude only ends up in more trouble.

Trippy and Stylish Stoner Comedy

One of the greatest examples of movies that went from being major box office flops to certified cult classics, The Big Lebowski channels the era’s psychedelic subcultures. It was seen as too relaxed and nonsensical at the time, but over the years, its offbeat tone and quotable dialogue received a lot of admiration.

Besides, all the cast members – Jeff Bridges, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, John Goodman, Sam Elliott, and Steve Buscemi – had their own kind of fun on this absurd adventure.

5 Office Space (1999)

Budget – $10 Million; Box Office – $12.2 Million

A satirical workplace comedy, Office Space takes place against the backdrop of a typical 1990s software company. The protagonist, Peter Gibbons, is a computer programmer who hates his meaningless desk job and daydreams of doing nothing. He hears that his colleagues use hypnotherapy to rid themselves of the stress. When Peter pays the clinic a visit, he gets zapped with an extreme doze and comes up with an offbeat idea that could make or break his future.

Witty and Mood-Lifting

The corporate grind has made people more miserable now than ever before. And yet, it was Mike Judge who first recognized the mindless drudgery of a 9-to-5 job and decided to skewer it in the sharpest way possible. He injected the satire with themes of feeling stuck in a soul-sucking job and wanting to break free through a relatable and sympathetic tone. Its box office numbers were compensated by warm reception and sales on home and video release.

4 Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Budget – $65 Million; Box Office – $55.6 Million

Stanley Kubrick adapts Arthur Schnitzler’s 1926 novella into an erotic psychological drama that centers around Dr. Bill Harford, who lives with his wife and daughter in New York City. His world turns upside down when his wife, Alice, reveals that she has sexual fantasies about another man. The subject sparks questions about fidelity. Bill propels himself into a surreal night out, joins an underground group obsessed with sex, and develops a more realistic perspective on relationships.

A Layered and Mysterious Psychodrama

Wrapped in Kubrick’s trademark slow-burning style, Eyes Wide Shut is as fascinating as it is haunting. With its dreamlike visuals and vivid portrayals of human psychology, it creeps under your skin and stays there until you reassess the profundity of the issues explored. Despite the anticipated buzz, the movie underwhelmed at the domestic box office, recouping $55 million against a production budget of $65 million. The international numbers were a different story altogether.

3 The Iron Giant (1999)

Budget – $50 Million; Box Office – $31.3 Million

Set during the Cold War in 1957, The Iron Giant follows nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes, who happens to investigate a crash landing and discovers a 50-foot-tall alien robot. He befriends the robot, addressed as the Giant, and realizes he’s actually very gentle-hearted and kind. Hogarth tries to hide and reprogram the Giant. Meanwhile, a paranoid government agent is dead set on hunting him down and destroying him.

Animated Tale of Friendship

Directed by Brad Bird in his directorial debut and featuring an incredible voice cast made up of Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel, John Mahoney, and more, the movie was an animated adventure brimming with clever humor, an immersive story, warmth, and breathtaking action.

But it stumbled at the box office because of poor marketing by Warner Bros. Time turned The Iron Giant into a “modern fairy tale” that’s widely regarded as one of the best animated movies of the decade.

Related: The Iron Giant: Why You Need to Revisit This Emotional Sci-Fi Flick

2 Ravenous (1999)

Budget – $12 Million; Box Office – $2 Million

Ravenous is a subversive juxtaposition of genres. It combines the most peculiar tropes of horror, comedy, and Western to tell the story of Captain John Boyd and his regiment, who have somehow managed to survive the brutal battles of the Mexican–American War. They find themselves stationed at a remote frontier outpost when a mysterious stranger stumbles into their fort and tells them about Wendigo – a cannibal monster that resides in a mysterious cave.

Cannibal Horror Meets the Old West

Inspired by the real-life “The Colorado Cannibal,” Alferd Packer, and directed with utmost care by Antonia Bird, Ravenous is an unforgettable macabre tale. It has elements of pitch-black comedy and visceral horror, a disturbing tone, and a delightfully twisted ending. Looking back, it may have scared off mainstream audiences, who misinterpreted the satire as just another comedic period piece. While it cost $12 million to make, the movie barely made it to $2 million at the box office.