These film flops became cult classics

‘Empire Records’ (1995)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

You can't get much more cult than a film about an independent record store. The film took home a small fraction of its budget when it was originally released, but became so adored that special editions were released in 2003 and 2015.

‘Office Space’ (1999)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

While people didn't seem to want to see 'Office Space' in theaters, they sure wanted to rent it on DVD. The hilarious look at office life is now considered a must-see comedy.

‘Heathers’ (1989)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

Despite being a low-budget film (US$3 million), 'Heathers' gained less than half of that back at the box office. But with the rising star power of its leading lady, Winona Ryder, it has become both a cult classic, a musical, and later a TV series.

‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

'Donnie Darko' had little marketing before its release, due to scenes of plane crashes right after September 11. However, much like 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' it gained a midnight show, and then eventually a cult following.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

You might be shocked to see such a classic on this list, but 'The Wizard of Oz' barely made enough money to cover its budget. However after its re-release, it started to gain traction. Now it's considered a classic piece of cinema!

‘Fight Club’ (1999)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

Despite the star protagonists, including Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter, this movie did very poorly when it first hit theaters. However after it was released on DVD, the audience praise (and money) came rolling in.

‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

A unique film, 'Scott Pilgrim' got back a little more than half of its budget at the box office. However once it came out on DVD, audiences started to fall for the graphic-novel influenced film with the killer soundtrack.

‘Mallrats’ (1995)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

After the success of 'Clerks,' many thought that this film fell flat in comparison. However this Kevin Smith movie can still credit its cult following to the director's legion of fans.

‘Showgirls’ (1995)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

Ripped apart by critics, the film made back less than half of its US$45 million budget. However its campy nature thrust it into the so-bad-it's-good genre, where it now sits happily as a cult film.

‘Harold and Maude’ (1971)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

This unconventional film was a lot for viewers to take in, and critics panning the film didn't help. However, years later it became yet another film to achieve cult status due to midnight screenings.

‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

Given the title "worst movie ever," ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ is the epitome of so-bad-it's-good cinema. A mix of sci-fi and horror, the film was remastered in the 2000s, to audiences' delight.

‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

Starring Robin Williams and Edward Norton, this dark comedy bombed in every sense when it came out. However, it was later discovered by those with a penchant for bleak comedic storytelling, and they have since made the movie a cult hit.

‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

Despite the star power from Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, this movie only made US$10.6 million of an $18.5 million budget. But its low critical rating and high rate of audience appreciation have granted it cult status.

'Clue' (1985)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

This film may have brought the board game to life, but it certainly didn't bring people to the theater. However, the interesting caveat of three different endings and the over-the-top acting and dialogue have endeared to fans just the same.

'Vertigo' (1958)

‘Empire Records’ (1995), ‘Office Space’ (1999), ‘Heathers’ (1989), ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Fight Club’ (1999), ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Mallrats’ (1995), ‘Showgirls’ (1995), ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (1959), ‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002), ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998), 'Clue' (1985), 'Vertigo' (1958)

While this Hitchcock film might not have been as well appreciated when it came out, likely due to audience's comparing it to 'Psycho,' it has certainly gained traction with a cult (and now mainstream) following.

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