Five 2020s Films That Will Be Horror Movie Cult Classics
Cult classics take a long, unusual road to success. Many are quirky films that studios find difficult to market. They rarely earn commercial success right away. These movies have strong appeal to niche audiences who watch them again and again.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is generally considered the first horror movie to build a massive cult following. This bizarre musical, which features an unforgettable Tim Curry as a charismatic, self-proclaimed “transvestite from transsexual Transylvania”, received horrible reviews before gaining an enormous fanbase.
It achieved this despite hailing from an era before home video. Movies that had been initially ignored found new life after VHS became widespread, exponentially increasing the number of films with cult followings.
Here are four key ingredients for cult classics:
- Unusual and/or controversial subject matter.
- A charmingly weird sense of humor (whether intentional or not)
- Quirky, memorable characters.
- A unique visual aesthetic, often including unusual fashion choices that are cosplayed by fans.
Not all cult classics feature every one of these characteristics. That said, if a film has at least three, it stands a fair chance at developing a dedicated following.
Horror is a cult phenomenon itself, so it’s no surprise that many genre films become cult classics. Which recent movies will join the likes of Rocky Horror, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Trick ‘r Treat? It’s time for me to go out on a limb and make some bold predictions. Here are five 2020s films that will become horror movie cult classics.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Bodies Bodies Bodies is a dark satire of Gen Z. It’s going to be interesting to see how this movie will be perceived by Z’ers as they grow older. Will middle-aged Gen Z folks enjoy this movie as a subversive anti-nostalgia piece about their younger years?
My guess is yes. More than perhaps any other horror film, Bodies Bodies Bodies captures the vibe of the generation that came into adulthood in the 2020s.
Death of a unicorn (2025)
Yes, this movie just came out, but I submit to you that it will build a cult following someday. I’ll put it this way – if there had been a horror movie about killer unicorns in the ’80s or ’90s, what are the odds that it would be a cult classic by now?
My guess? Pretty damn high. Death of a Unicorn‘s endearing cheesiness will help it grow a fanbase that has largely shunned it during its theatrical release.
I saw the TV glow (2024)
This haunting and brilliant odyssey will be remembered someday as one of the quintessential horror movies of the 2020s. Its obvious niche is the LGBT community. Based on many of the reviews I’ve read (and my personal affection for it), I can attest that it has broader appeal as well.
This eerie, bittersweet, and sometimes heartbreaking film represents the turmoil that many people are experiencing in modern society. Its themes will be relevant for many years to come, which will enhance its chances of maintaining a dedicated following.
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Of all the movies on this list, Lisa Frankenstein is the one I’m most confident will become a cult classic. In fact, it’s probably already beginning. Lisa Swallows is a perfect cosplay character.
If numerous people aren’t already dressing up as her for Halloween and horror conventions, they will be soon. This movie’s charmingly quirky tone makes it a perfect candidate for cult classic immortality. The ’80s setting doesn’t hurt, either.
Malignant (2021)
James Wan’s wacky giallo-inspired flick, which features one of the most polarizing and controversial twists of recent years, has all the outlandishness and offbeat humor that a cult classic needs.
It’s an outrageous, ridiculous, audacious, and tasteless film. Malignant straddles the line between serious horror and parody, with an offbeat tone that’s often found in cult films.
The Future of Cult Classic Horror Movies
Studios don’t typically set out to make a cult classic. From a business perspective, that would make no sense. Nevertheless, it has to be rewarding to be a part of this phenomenon.
Directors and actors whose projects were initially dismissed gain an appreciative and loyal following. This phenomenon is an incentive for filmmakers to continue to pursue unique visions instead of making generic, cookie cutter blockbusters. You never know when you’re creating the next great cult classic.
