10 Poorly Received Movies That Became Classics

From a perspective of simple dollars and cents, cinema can be a seriously unforgiving endeavor. Many factors have to fall in place for a film to be successful in theaters, let alone garner a positive reception from audiences. Even with a hefty budget, great concept, and thorough marketing, their performance is still a gamble. Over the years, there have been many movies that witnessed terrible initial reactions from economic and critical fronts alike. However, once they had ample time to marinate, the public attitude toward them changed entirely.

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For example, Ridley Scott’s 1982 neo-noir Blade Runner was a box-office disaster, yet remains so iconic today that it warranted a second sequel 40 years later with the upcoming series Blade Runner 2099. Most are familiar with Dennis Villeneuve’s 2021 rendition of Dune, which is receiving its third installment in 2026 with Dune: Part Three. The lesser-known 1984 version is a cult classic, even though it was poorly received at the time. It’s interesting how strongly opinions change, considering how many initially criticized films are so legendary now.

10 The Room (2003)

Directed By Tommy Wiseau

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Often regarded as a movie so bad that it’s good, Tommy Wiseau’s The Room feels like a complete anomaly of a film. It features some of the most bizarre acting, dialogue, and pacing that has ever been present in cinema. Yet, all of these factors come together to make a hilarious masterpiece. It’s an example of what happens when somebody with no experience in filmmaking decides to randomly take a crack at it.

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Tommy Wiseau’s background is largely a mystery. His sources of wealth and early life remain unconfirmed.

The Room primarily gained modern notoriety through James Franco’s The Disaster Artist, a biographical drama that tells the story of Tommy Wiseau’s journey in creating the movie. The project had a budget of $6 million, which Wiseau seemingly pulled out of thin air. Sadly, the original rollout only raked in a mere $67,000. However, this value has shot up in conjunction with the film’s steady rise in fame. Today, it’s so popular that The Room will be getting a remake starring Bob Odenkirk.

9 Dazed And Confused (1993)

Directed By Richard Linklater

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8.5/10 Dazed and Confused RComedyDocumentaryDrama

The coming-of-age comedy Dazed and Confused, directed by Richard Linklater, follows a group of high school students on the last day of school before summer vacation. Set in the 1970s, the film explores themes of rebellion, freedom, and nostalgia, and features an ensemble cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, and Parker Posey.

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*Availability in US Director Richard Linklater Release Date September 24, 1993 Cast Jason London , Wiley Wiggins , Matthew McConaughey , Rory Cochrane , Joey Lauren Adams , Milla Jovovich Runtime 102 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Richard Linklater Expand

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This slice of 1970s life is one of the greatest coming-of-age comedies of its period. The film is packed with nostalgic sentiments, stoner humor, and iconic characters. It also features great early performances from prominent actors before they entered the spotlight. Matthew McConaughey’s role in Dazed and Confused effectively put him on the map, where he delivered the famous line “alright, alright, alright.”

Despite its modern adoration, Dazed and Confused witnessed an all-around lukewarm reception when it first hit screens in 1993. The film had a budget of $6.9 million, and barely scraped by in profit, bringing in roughly $8 million during its time at the box office. It’s a shame that people of the time didn’t recognize its greatness. Thankfully, over the years, audiences have slowly come to understand the excellence of the movie, and it remains an icon in its genre.

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8 Donnie Darko (2001)

Directed by Richard Kelly

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1/10 Donnie Darko RDramaDocumentaryFantasyMysterySci-Fi

After troubled teen Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes on a local golf course after a night of sleepwalking, he has a vision of a man in a rabbit suit telling him that the world will end in 28 days. Returning home, Donnie sees that a jet engine has fallen on his bedroom in the night, and begins to feel increasingly detached from reality. Scrambling to make sense of the bizarre and unexplainable events that have altered his life, Donnie finds himself unravelling a tangled web of disaster and fate.

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*Availability in US Director Richard Kelly Release Date October 26, 2001 Cast Jake Gyllenhaal , Holmes Osborne , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Daveigh Chase , Mary McDonnell , James Duval Runtime 113 minutes Studio(s) Newmarket Films Distributor(s) Newmarket Films Writers Richard Kelly Expand

Donnie Darko’s less-than-stellar initial performance was a culmination of several factors. Primarily, the film suffered from a significant lack of marketing campaigns. It has some of the right components for a blockbuster picture, but it’s aesthetically shrouded with an indie, ambiguous vibe. Additionally, the movie was released a mere one month after the September 11th attacks. Since the premise is based around a devastating plane crash, it wasn’t good timing.

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The sci-fi thriller only grossed $7.5 million against a budget of $4.5 million, which wasn’t impressive by any means. Donnie Darko‘s timeline and ending are thoroughly confusing, which may have also contributed to its poor reception. However, it’s now appreciated as a marvel of unique narrative creation and thought-provoking elements of fantasy. Even though the film has some faults, it’s packed with iconic features and an eerie ambiance that few other projects give off.

7 The Big Lebowski (1998)

Directed By Ethan And Joel Coen

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9/10 The Big Lebowski RComedyCrimeSport

One of Joel and Ethan Coen’s most successful crime comedies, The Big Lebowski follows Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) after he is assaulted in a case of mistaken identity. After becoming tangled with the millionaire who shares his name, the Dude is tasked with delivering a ransom in order to save Lebowski’s wife from a group of hardened criminals. The Dude is joined by his bowling buddies Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi), who complicate Lebowski’s plans.

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*Availability in US Director Joel Coen , Ethan Coen Release Date March 6, 1998 Cast Julianne Moore , Jeff Bridges , Steve Buscemi , John Turturro , John Goodman , David Huddleston , Phillip Seymour Hoffman Runtime 117 Minutes Studio(s) Working Title Films Distributor(s) Gramercy Pictures Writers Ethan Coen , Joel Coen Expand

The Big Lebowski was undoubtedly ahead of its time when it first hit the silver screen in 1998. After its release, audiences didn’t seem to understand the beauty behind the nonchalant humor, offbeat dialogue, and strange plot lines. From an outside perspective, it could just be interpreted as a movie about guys bowling, but it does so much with the space it has. It’s a crime that such a triumph in cinema ever garnered mixed reviews.

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From the legendary quotes to the stylized outfits, the film has countless contributions to pop culture that are incredibly iconic. Most importantly, it’s just downright hilarious. It seems like every joke was methodically thought out, even if it’s just an insignificant facial expression. Thankfully, The Big Lebowski took its poor reception in stride with a “that’s just your opinion, man” type of attitude. Director Ethan Coen released another project in 2024 titled Drive-Away Dolls, but the reactions have been average.

6 Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Directed By Mel Stuart

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10/10 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory GFamilyMusicalFantasy

Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory stars Gene Wilder as the titular eccentric candymaker who invites five children into his mysterious factory to show them how he creates his popular candies. The film mostly follows Charlie Bucket, a young boy from a poor family who miraculously wins one of the five Golden Tickets that allows him access to Wonka’s factory tour. 

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*Availability in US Director Mel Stuart Release Date June 30, 1971 Cast Jack Albertson , gene wilder , Peter Ostrum , Denise Nickerson , Julie Dawn Cole Runtime 100 minutes Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Roald Dahl Expand
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Considering how famous it is today, most wouldn’t expect Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory to be an ill-received movie. It’s inspired several modern remakes, including the 2024 prequel Wonka with Timothée Chalamet as the frontman. The original has a whimsical, edgy nature that the new adaptations have failed to fully replicate.

Despite its iconic status, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory was a flop at the box office. The film had a budget of three million dollars, which was a substantial investment in 1971. Unfortunately, it only managed to pull in four million during its original run in theaters. This was primarily due to mediocre initial reviews and issues with formal advertising. In addition, the movie had several dark Roald Dahl-inspired undertones that made its public exhibition a challenge, given that the movie was marketed toward an audience of children.

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5 The Iron Giant (1999)

Directed By Brad Bird

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The Iron Giant has an immense amount of thematic depth for such a simple film. It is often cited as one of the greatest animated movies of all time, which makes the circumstances surrounding its 1999 release all the more confusing. While it doesn’t have a classic blockbuster exterior, one would expect the quality of its story to be reflected in the success of its public debut.

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Oddly enough, The Iron Giant was a disaster in theaters. It had a budget of $50 million, which was monumental for a 2D animation project in 1999. To the studio’s dismay, the worldwide release only earned $31.3 million, making it a massive box office bomb. Now, it is widely regarded as one of the most emotionally poignant movies of its kind. During its short runtime, it demonstrates beautiful visuals and a truly heartbreaking ending.

4 Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

Directed By Edgar Wright

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8/10 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World PG-13ActionAdventureComedyFantasyRomance

Based on Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim series of graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows the titular slacker musician (Michael Cera) as he strives to earn a record deal by winning the Battle of the Bands organized by music mogul Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman). After meeting and falling in love with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Scott learns that he must also defeat her seven evil exes. Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, and Brie Larson round out the film’s star-studded and quirky ensemble. 

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*Availability in US Director Edgar Wright Release Date August 12, 2010 Cast Michael Cera , Alison Pill , Mark Webber , Johnny Simmons , Ellen Wong , Kieran Culkin Runtime 113 minutes Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions , Big Talk Films , Closed on Mondays Entertainment , Dentsu Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Edgar Wright , Michael Bacall Main Genre Action Expand

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World deserved so much more love than it received at the box office. Based on the comic of the same name, Edgar Wright created a thoughtful live action adaptation that didn’t garner notoriety until years later. The one-of-a kind nature of the film made it such a gem, but also worked against it in terms of mass appeal. People weren’t used to the vibrant, video game-style visuals that were commonly scattered throughout the movie.

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Beyond its individualized taste, the odds were stacked against Scott Pilgrim vs. the World during the summer of its 2010 release. The competition was full of heavy hitters, including Toy Story 3, Iron Man 2, Inception, and Despicable Me. In spite of its modest performance in theaters, it remains a fan-favorite. Luckily, the beloved characters made their return in the 2023 Netflix animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

3 The Thing (1982)

Directed By John Carpenter

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11 9.5/10 The Thing RHorror Sci-FiMystery

A team of researchers set out to study an alien spacecraft found in Antarctica, where they also discover an alien body on the site. The alien buried in ice is actually alive and has the ability to imitate human form. The group must find a way to distinguish who the real person is from The Thing and stay alive. John Carpenter’s 1982 film is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World and stars Kurt Russel as the hero RJ MacReady.

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*Availability in US Director John Carpenter Release Date June 25, 1982 Cast T.K. Carter , David Clennon , Keith David , Kurt Russell , wilford brimley Runtime 109 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Bill Lancaster Expand

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It’s interesting that The Thing wasn’t a massive success, given that it is widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. Surprisingly, the film wasn’t just lackluster from an economic standpoint, it actively received negative feedback from the majority of critics. It’s easily one of John Carpenter’s best works, but audiences didn’t seem to agree.

The Thing
and
Blade Runner
were both released on June 25, 1982.

The Thing’s initial failure was a product of a few less-than-ideal conditions. First, it was rated R, which automatically limits widespread viewership. Given how violent some of the scenes are, this couldn’t be avoided, but people felt like this aspect overpowered the plot. Additionally, the promotion was substantially half-baked. It was difficult to thoughtfully portray the story in a way that demonstrated its potential. Consequently, there wasn’t much traction behind the release, and it wasn’t fully appreciated until years later.

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2 The Shining (1980)

Directed By Stanley Kubrick

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16 9.4/10 The Shining RHorrorDrama

Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge. 

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*Availability in US Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date June 13, 1980 Cast Danny Lloyd , Shelley Duvall , Jack Nicholson , Scatman Crothers Runtime 146 minutes Writers Diane Johnson , Stanley Kubrick

It’s shocking that one of the most groundbreaking horror films ever made wasn’t a smash hit during its time in theaters. Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining wasn’t necessarily a horrible box office flop, but it didn’t witness a very strong performance. The movie grossed roughly $45 million against a budget of $19 million, and it didn’t even manage to crack the top 10.

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While some criticisms are understandable, the initial reactions seem to be blown way out of proportion. The Shining was even nominated for two Razzies awards, including Kubrick for Worst Director and lead Shelley Duvall for Worst Actress. The disapproval mainly revolved around the drawn out runtime and lack of significant character development. In terms of Stanley Kubrick movies, this horror classic is easily one of the best, which is a tough feat considering the legendary filmmaker’s resume.

1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Directed By Frank Darabont

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By most measures, The Shawshank Redemption is an utterly perfect movie. In terms of cinematic qualities, it checks all the boxes, and does so masterfully. The acting is excellent, the dialogue is meaningful, and the story is beautifully written. The film introduces numerous well-crafted themes, and intertwines them with one another through genius avenues. It currently holds the #1 spot in IMDb’s top 250 movies list, and for good reason. Despite how breathtaking it is, The Shawshank Redemption was a box office flop, which is just incredible.

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In its initial theatrical run, it raked in a meager $16 million against its $25 million budget. This underperformance was primarily due to a lack of considerable marketing efforts. It’s hard to demonstrate the high caliber of the film, given that the premise isn’t necessarily spectacular. After all, it’s really just about a guy who goes to prison. Rather, the brilliance of the movie stems from what it accomplishes within the small environment. Thankfully, The Shawshank Redemption has ultimately gotten the credit it deserves, and it remains as one of the greatest Hollywood projects of all time.

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