Cult films are part of a beloved subgenre cherished by a select yet vocal audience of fans. They might be weird, shocking, funny, complex, simple, or some bizarre combination of all five, and there is perhaps no better time to dive into the field than the Halloween season.
There are tons of cult horror movies out there, but the genre is a lot more flexible than some might think. From comedies to musicals with killer clowns, witches, ghosts, and alien entertainers played by Tim Curry, there are plenty of spooky cult films out there perfect for a Halloween watch party.
Practical Magic
Although it wasn't the biggest hit with critics, this witchy fantasy-comedy developed its own dedicated fanbase and has since become a moderately popular movie shown and aired every October. After all, every Halloween season needs a few witches thrown in.
Practical Magic tells the enchanting tale of the Owens sisters who come from a long line of witches who must combat a family curse. Accompanied by stellar performances from the leads and whimsical witchy imagery, it's easy to see how it acquired the fans it did.
The Phantom Of The Paradise
Although Brian De Palma might be better known for his work on Stephen King's Phantom of the Paradise, is a cult film that simply has to be experienced to be believed. Part horror movie, part rock opera, all '80s, it's a film that needs a bigger following.
More of a retelling of the myth of Faust than of the famous opera ghost, Phantom of the Paradise is impressive both on a filmmaking level and on a theatrical one as well. The soundtrack is incredible, and the delivery is so over-the-top and weird that viewers can't help but fall into the insanity.
Fright Night
a tried-and-true vampire movie. While casual viewers might call this film cliche and formulaic, it's because the plot utilizes classic vampire tropes that it becomes a balanced horror-comedy.
Not only that but the performances from its leading vamps, played by Chris Sarandon and Stephen Geoffreys, are deliciously hammy, giving the film's monsters a fun and familiar flavor. Bela Lugosi would certainly be proud.
The Wicker Man
Dubbed by some as the "Citizen Kane of Horror Movies" The Wicker Man is a British horror movie that helped plant the seeds of the folk-horror genre. While undoubtedly more familiar and popular amongst British audiences than their American cousins, this creepy, culty, classic was definitely a game-changer when it hit the screens.
Known for its pagan imagery, eerie folksongs, and a phenomenal performance from the legendary Christopher Lee, to call the film unnerving would be putting it lightly. A slow burn, but one that results in a blaze of glory.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
While it might have received sequel after sequel, the original 1974 grindhouse film was a low-budget affair that grew into a huge success with horror fans. Critics called it deplorable and grotesque, but it soon became one of the biggest franchises in the genre.
There's no denying that the film isn't incredibly stomach-turning for both the cast and the viewers, but the spectacle and shock factor are what helped it become a success. Even today, Leatherface still tears up the screen at Halloween screenings and streamings everywhere.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Killer Klowns From Outer Space is one of the titans of the cult-horror genre, and its fans are the lifeblood of its existence. And while the script isn't exactly the most groundbreaking, the jokes and practical effects are absolutely stunning for a cheesy '80s B-movie about evil alien clowns.
In lack of better phrasing, the movie is absolutely ridiculous, but that's part of its character and charm. The Klowns are certainly both scary and silly, but there's enough humor mixed in to balance out the horror to keep fans coming back for more.
Trick R’ Treat
Michael Dougherty's that did better on home video than it ever did in the theaters. The anthology of Halloween-themed horror stories absolutely drips with adoration for the holiday and continues to be regularly watched this time of year.
Christmas has Santa Claus, Easter has a bunny, and Halloween has Sam, and he doesn't like it when trick-or-treaters don't follow the rules and traditions. A cult film Trick r' Treat might be, but there's no denying it's becoming as traditional as It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown or even Halloween.
Hocus Pocus
While it might have only received its cult status in recent years, Disney's Hocus Pocus has climbed out of near-obscurity into the popular culture by some form of black magic. Up until recently, flying vacuums, talking cats, and black-flamed candles were more or less only known by a select audience. Now the Sandersons have their own merch line.
Call it fate, call it destiny, call it a wave of '90s nostalgia, but Winifred, Mary, and Sarah have risen from their graves to continuously spellbind viewers once more. Disney might be late to the game on occasion, but they're pretty good about reading their audience.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
"Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange?" Hocus Pocus might be the newest Disney cult film, but Tim Burton's stop-motion masterpiece was the original film to wear that crown.
For a film Disney didn't even want their name on that first, Jack's holiday adventure has certainly done well since it was first released. Thanks to its resurgence, the film practically gets its own section in the Halloween aisle in stores every year, and Jack and Sally are practically permanent symbols of the holiday thanks to the film's fanbase.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Based on the broadway musical of the same name, Rocky Horror devastatingly bombed upon its first release, but like so many films on this list, the fans have been keeping this midnight-viewing masterpiece alive for decades.
Years and Halloweens have come and gone, but Frank-N-Furter and his crew of Transylvanians have always remained. From restagings of the original show to shadow casts and special screenings of the film, viewers have been doing the "Time Warp" long after the '70s ended.
