The silver screen is unpredictable. Some of the films initially flop at the box office and cannot hold the public's attention, but they eventually get a boost as cult classics. Their films, which are initially unheralded, grow a bird's nest of fans and go on to be reviewed with admiration even several years after their release. Below are ten movie titles that later captured the success in the film world after their initial flop.
1. Waterworld (1995)
Waterworld depicts a dystopian after-the-end civilization in which the Earth's surface is covered with water, and few people strive to find the dry shore. Even though the film had Costner as the leading actor and the realistic visual effects ultimately brought some details, it experienced a financial disaster at first. But it won cult followers over time for its exciting and creative world-building and spirit of adventure.
2. Blade Runner (1982-2019)
Happening in the future, Blade Runner depicts a scenario where power is given to governments, which use their most advanced technology to build replicants—human-like pieces of technology. Although its story was good and the visuals were amazing, however, it wasn't addressing all the people in the room. On the other hand, in the end, the film was turned into a sci-fi phenomenon that broadened the range of visual filmmaking.
3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Stephen King's story “The Shawshank Redemption” is set in a prison and depicts the human spirit as the most powerful and incorruptible force even under the most adverse conditions. Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the public still dismissed the work when it was first staged. The film buzzed around, but later on, people began to see it on television, whereupon they discovered that they preferred the movie more than any other.
4. Office Space (1999)
Office Space casts a humorous glance at the trivial life of white-collar employees, who, along with their colleagues, are trying to survive in a shabby office. The movie is directed by Mike Judge, and the plot features a group of software engineers who can't stand the tedious work that micromanages them. Nevertheless, the movie did not score in the wow factor whenever it came to the viewership.
5. Donnie Darko (2001)
A commercial failure but a DVD success, Donnie Darko is a surrealistic psychological thriller that focuses on a troubled teenager who is mysteriously visited by a large rabbit at night and garbled instructions from his voice. Being an Izak Gyllenhaal movie directed by Richard Kelly, it took a lot of work to understand than to watch, but eventually became successful.
6. Fight Club (1999)
Fincher directed it and presented Pitt and Norton as male actors who participated in the underground fight club to share their perceptions of consumerism and masculinity. Even though the movie first faced harsh criticism and brought only limited financial success, it became a cult film, and the revolutionary way of story-telling, as well as the non-conformist approach, are what it is most well-known for.
7. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Being a timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz which deals with Dorothy Gale's journey follows her when she travels through Oz. The story features the main role of Judy Garland, while the film does not gain much profit despite its cult status. On the other hand, the fact that the directors had more time to rework the version and to start screening it on television proved that this film will forever be included in the top cinematic movies list.
8. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Under the direction of Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life is a movie with Jimmy Stewart as the lead character. George Bailey, in the movie, presses how a person can be of value with the aid of a guardian angel. Despite the film's critical success, it struck out when it came to recouping its budget through sales. It, however, earned a new life on an annual television broadcast that is now regarded as a sincere classic.
9. The Big Lebowski (1998)
Remained under the cloud for a long time, Directed by the Coen Brothers, with Jeff Bridges in the leading role. The Big Lebowski also had a hard time. The picture depicts a slothful protagonist who is called “The Dude.” Soon, he discovers himself being involved in a kidnapping scheme. At first, it received mixed reviews and low box office returns. However, over time, it developed a small and devoted fanbase that consisted of those who passed the word around through reruns.
10. Citizen Kane (1941)
In Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, the film is about the life story of Charles Foster Kane, a newspaper tycoon. The story is mainly constructed with different viewpoints. In addition to providing great story-telling with the techniques of that time, its London theatrical premiere was not a success. Although the movie received an ordinary rating upon its first release, it is now considered one of the best movies of all time, earning it this golden crown of cinematic masterpieces.
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