Cult Classics

Last updated: August 7, 2025

Some movies stand the test of time, not because they're good, but because they're weird or quirky, or just so bad they're good. Others are quoted so much they become part of everyday conversation. Here's a collection of cult favorites that get referenced over and over again. Serious movie fans who never want to be left out of a joke or obscure film reference should look into the movies below. For more quirky offerings, be sure to check out our lists of Best Goofy Comedy Movies to Watch with Tweens and Teens and Offbeat Animated Movies.

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Labyrinth Movie Poster: David Bowie holds a glass orb

MOVIE

Labyrinth

age 8+

Surreal coming-of-age fantasy -- with Jim Henson puppets.

June 27, 1986 1986 PG (101 minutes)

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The Wiz Poster Image

MOVIE

The Wiz

age 8+

1970s all-Black remake has positive messages, violence.

October 24, 1978 1978 G (135 minutes)

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Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie poster: Wonka pops out of a magic hat against a purple background

MOVIE

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

age 8+

Scary moments, fatphobia in imaginative Roald Dahl classic.

June 30, 1971 1971 G (98 minutes)

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The Princess Bride Poster Image

MOVIE

The Princess Bride

age 9+

Witty, winsome fairy tale has violence, language.

September 25, 1987 1987 PG (98 minutes)

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Time Bandits Poster Image

MOVIE

Time Bandits

age 9+

Fantasy comedy from Monty Python alum has dark humor, peril.

November 6, 1981 1981 PG (110 minutes)

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Good Burger movie poster: Ed and Dexter wearing Good Burger uniforms surf a giant burger

MOVIE

Good Burger

age 10+

Good-natured 1990s comedy loaded with silly, low-brow humor.

July 25, 1997 1997 PG (95 minutes)

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The Goonies Poster Image

MOVIE

The Goonies

age 10+

Classic '80s adventure has lots of swearing, some scares.

April 6, 1985 1985 PG (114 minutes)

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Napoleon Dynamite Poster Image

MOVIE

Napoleon Dynamite

age 11+

One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.

June 11, 2004 2004 PG (82 minutes)

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Empire Records Poster Image

MOVIE

Empire Records

age 13+

'90s cult comedy-drama has sex/drug references, language.

June 28, 1996 1996 PG-13 (90 minutes)

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Harold and Maude movie poster: Maude and Harold stand next to each other outdoors

MOVIE

Harold and Maude

age 13+

Dark comedy classic has sexual and suicide references.

January 1, 1971 1971 PG (91 minutes)

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail Poster Image

MOVIE

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

age 13+

Classic comedy has innuendo, cartoonish violence, language.

May 11, 1975 1975 PG (91 minutes)

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The Stepford Wives movie poster

MOVIE

The Stepford Wives (1975)

age 13+

Eerie 1975 cult sci-fi horror explores gender roles.

February 12, 1975 1975 PG (115 minutes)

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Alfie movie poster

MOVIE

Alfie

age 14+

'60s British classic has sex references, themes of abortion.

August 24, 1966 1966 PG (114 minutes)

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Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) movie poster: A sketch of some armed-criminals breaking into a police precinct

MOVIE

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

age 14+

Cult classic 1970s action thriller has violence, smoking.

October 8, 1976 1976 R (91 minutes)

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Cassandra Peterson is tied to a stake, a woman lighting the wood beneath her and a dog to the side on the poster for Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

MOVIE

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

age 14+

Schlocky cult horror with sexual references, sexual assault.

September 30, 1988 1988 PG-13 (96 minutes)

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Hairspray Poster Image

MOVIE

Hairspray

age 14+

A kitschy teen fantasy you can dance to.

February 26, 1988 1988 PG (92 minutes)

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Sharknado Poster Image: Giant sharks swirl in a storm cloud, with wreckage in the background

MOVIE

Sharknado

age 14+

Original cult hit has blood, gore, stereotypes.

January 30, 2024 2024 NR (90 minutes)

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So I Married an Axe Murderer Poster Image

MOVIE

So I Married an Axe Murderer

age 14+

Quirky '90s comedy with mock horror action, sexuality.

July 30, 1993 1993 PG-13 (93 minutes)

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This Is Spinal Tap movie poster: The title in chrome "rock music"-style lettering on a black background

MOVIE

This Is Spinal Tap

age 14+

Hilarious rock mockumentary has language, sex references.

April 1, 1984 1984 R (83 minutes)

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Cabin Boy Poster Image

MOVIE

Cabin Boy

age 15+

Weird comedy-fantasy cult classic with language, innuendo.

January 7, 1994 1994 PG-13 (80 minutes)

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