The Best Cult Classics on Netflix

Guest contributor Isa looks at some of Netflix's best offerings.


I would like to thank Life Between Frames for publishing this article. They offer excellent overviews not only of current movies but of popular classics as well. Check out their Film Appreciation section for a quick glance at some of their favorite movies. 

What makes a movie a cult classic? It’s hard to say why exactly something becomes a huge hit among certain fandom, but ultimately what turns a movie into one are the devoted fans that follow it. The topics can vary and while most might be a bit strange, that isn’t always the case. It takes years for movies to become cult classics because it takes time for it to reach the intended audience. In general, most do not achieve big box office sales, but what they lack in commercial success they gain in recognition down the line.

Luckily, you don’t need to search the sale bin at Best Buy or Walmart to find some great cult classics. All you need is a Netflix account.

From Dusk Till Dawn

Before Quintin Tarantino became famous as a director, he wrote and starred in this movie alongside George Clooney, Harvey Keitel and Juliette Lewis. This movie will have you cheering for the bad guys as they battle against the real bad guys (vampires). From Dusk till Dawn is gory, violent and tons of fun. There’s plenty of dark humor here and the over-the-top gore is almost cartoony. The movie became so much of a cult hit, it spawned two sequels and a TV show.

The Crow

If you’re a child of the 90s, you probably remember The Crow. This grungy and gritty neo-noir movie is one of revenge and love. It really brought the Gothic culture into the public eye. For those unfamiliar with the story, The Crow follows musician Eric Draven who is resurrected by a crow a year after he and his girlfriend were murdered. The crow then leads Draven to those involved with his murder and he, in turn, kills them. Of course, the one thing everyone knows about the movie, even those who haven’t watched it, is the tragic death of Brandon Lee on set. The combination of Lee’s amazing performance and his untimely death is what shot this film to cult status.

The Warriors

Released in 1979, The Warriors initially faced harsh reviews. It wasn’t until much later that it received acclaim and attention among fans. Set in 1970s New York City, The Warriors paints a stark picture of the city’s darker side. There’s plenty to love here including dramatic action sequences, memorable one-liners and great music. The movie follows the titular Warriors who are being chased down for a crime they didn’t commit. While that situation is unfolding, they’re also trying to get back their home turf.

Big Trouble in Little China

Back in the 80s and 90s, Kurt Russell was well known for his roles as a gun-toting action hero. He most famously worked with John Carpenter on Escape from New York and The Thing. Big Trouble in Little China was their third movie together and while it didn’t do quite as well at the box office, it did gain a huge following after it was released on VHS. Unlike the other two movies, Big Trouble in Little China infuses tons of cheesy dialogue, humor, heart-pumping action and ridiculous special effects for a more lighthearted movie. Russell plays as truck driver Jack Burton who gets roped into a supernatural conspiracy spanning the centuries. Besides Russell, the other big name you’ll recognize is Kim Cattrall as Gracie Law.

Galaxy Quest

Tim Allen made a name for himself on Home Improvement and eventually transitioned over to the big screen. While he again made a name for himself as Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, he also starred as the main character in Galaxy Quest. Performing beside him are amazing actors such as Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver. The plot revolves around actors of a once popular space adventure series (think Star Trek) who suddenly find themselves face-to-face with actual aliens and the destruction of an entire species. It perfectly spoofs Star Trek while also paying homage to them at the same time.

Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino seems to know exactly what will make a movie a classic. From the snappy dialogue to the vicious violence, Pulp Fiction is one of Tarantino’s most well-known and critically acclaimed movies. From the mystery of what is in the briefcase to the conversation about Big Macs, Tarantino doesn’t miss a beat. Of course, what gives the movie life is the acting by John Travolta, Samuel Jackson and Uma Thurman. You can almost forgive the movie’s plot for being a bit convoluted for some. The story essentially follows the lives of several seemingly unrelated characters and then slowly uncovers how they are bound together in a string of bizarre and unlikely events.


Are we missing one of your favorite cult classics on Netflix? Do you have any thoughts on one of the ones mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below!



About the Author: Isa is a freelance writer who loves movies and technology. She especially enjoys watching cult classics and hopes other people from around the globe can also enjoy these amazing movies. You can read more articles written by Isa at SecureThoughts.com and CultureCoverage.com.