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WeirdBest Movies On Netflix: Cult
By Jade Budowski
@jadebudowski
Published
Nov. 7, 2017, 9:00 p.m. ET
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All hail Netflix for giving new life to old faves. Here are the 20 best cult classics on the platform.
Photos: Everett Collection, Photo Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Paris is Burning
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This acclaimed documentary chronicles the 1980s New York City drag scene and focuses on the tight knit communities of their "house" culture, and the balls attended by the groups from each house that feature cues from the world of fashion. This intimate, dazzling portrait of the time, the controversial Paris Is Burning holds up as a true cult classic decades later.
[Stream Paris is Burning ]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This acclaimed documentary chronicles the 1980s New York City drag scene and focuses on the tight knit communities of their "house" culture, and the balls attended by the groups from each house that feature cues from the world of fashion. This intimate, dazzling portrait of the time, the controversial Paris Is Burning holds up as a true cult classic decades later.
[Stream Paris is Burning ]
Photo: Everett Collection
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The Iron Giant
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Set during The Cold War, this animated adventure follows a young boy who befriends a giant, kind-hearted robot from outer space that the hyper-paranoid government is determined to destroy. Heartwarming, sad, and thrilling, this gorgeous film will touch you in unexpected ways.
[Stream The Iron Giant]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Set during The Cold War, this animated adventure follows a young boy who befriends a giant, kind-hearted robot from outer space that the hyper-paranoid government is determined to destroy. Heartwarming, sad, and thrilling, this gorgeous film will touch you in unexpected ways.
[Stream The Iron Giant]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Heathers
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater as masochistic teenagers, this off-beat, twisted dark comedy became a true cult classic after its 1988 release. The teaming up of a reluctant good girl and straight-up sociopath is one that is way more fun to watch than it should be.
[Stream Heathers]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater as masochistic teenagers, this off-beat, twisted dark comedy became a true cult classic after its 1988 release. The teaming up of a reluctant good girl and straight-up sociopath is one that is way more fun to watch than it should be.
[Stream Heathers]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Best in Show
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This hilarious mockumentary follows a colorful cast of characters as they compete in the cutthroat world of dog shows. With its spot-on improv comedy and incredible group of actors at the helm (including Christopher Guest, Parker Posey, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, and frankly, way too many to name), Best in Show is sure to find a permanent slot on your queue.
[Stream Best in Show]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This hilarious mockumentary follows a colorful cast of characters as they compete in the cutthroat world of dog shows. With its spot-on improv comedy and incredible group of actors at the helm (including Christopher Guest, Parker Posey, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, and frankly, way too many to name), Best in Show is sure to find a permanent slot on your queue.
[Stream Best in Show]
Photo: Everett Collection
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The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This 1951 genre classic follows an alien named Klaatu and his robot as they arrive to the Cold War-plagued Earth and try to send its inhabitants an important message: live peacefully and stop the use of atomic bombs, or be destroyed. Chaos ensues when a nervous soldier shoots Klaatu, however, and he ends up imprisoned in a hospital room. This relevant portrait of humanity is necessary viewing.
[Stream The Day the Earth Stood Still ]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This 1951 genre classic follows an alien named Klaatu and his robot as they arrive to the Cold War-plagued Earth and try to send its inhabitants an important message: live peacefully and stop the use of atomic bombs, or be destroyed. Chaos ensues when a nervous soldier shoots Klaatu, however, and he ends up imprisoned in a hospital room. This relevant portrait of humanity is necessary viewing.
[Stream The Day the Earth Stood Still ]
Everett Collection
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The Nightmare Before Christmas
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This stunning stop-motion flick introduces us to the iconic Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, as he discovers Christmas Town and confuses the demented residents of his own spooky home as he tries to integrate the holiday cheer into their everyday darkness. This revolutionary film is stocked with classic songs and wicked humor.
[Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This stunning stop-motion flick introduces us to the iconic Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, as he discovers Christmas Town and confuses the demented residents of his own spooky home as he tries to integrate the holiday cheer into their everyday darkness. This revolutionary film is stocked with classic songs and wicked humor.
[Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Pulp Fiction
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Quentin Tarantino's modern classic starring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta is electrifying, darkly funny, and violent as anything. Four tales, primarily centering on two hitmen, intersect as characters all seek their respective redemptions. The all-star cast and snappy dialogue make this neo-noir a one-of-a-kind thrill.
[Stream Pulp Fiction]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Quentin Tarantino's modern classic starring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta is electrifying, darkly funny, and violent as anything. Four tales, primarily centering on two hitmen, intersect as characters all seek their respective redemptions. The all-star cast and snappy dialogue make this neo-noir a one-of-a-kind thrill.
[Stream Pulp Fiction]
Everett Collection
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The Host
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
A snack bar owner whose daughter is suddenly snatched from him by a death-bringing monster that has emerged from the Han River is the focus of this masterful monster film from South Korea. While the family initially mourns and agonizes over the loss, when they discover she is still alive, they resolve to do whatever they can to take on the monster and save her. Armed with genuine jump-out-of-your-seat moments, this is an outstanding entry into the monster movie genre.
[Stream The Host]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
A snack bar owner whose daughter is suddenly snatched from him by a death-bringing monster that has emerged from the Han River is the focus of this masterful monster film from South Korea. While the family initially mourns and agonizes over the loss, when they discover she is still alive, they resolve to do whatever they can to take on the monster and save her. Armed with genuine jump-out-of-your-seat moments, this is an outstanding entry into the monster movie genre.
[Stream The Host]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Young Frankenstein
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Celebrate the late, great Gene Wilder by indulging in one of his most delightful works of comedy, Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. This hilarious black-and-white spoof of Mary Shelley's classic tale finds the grandson of Victor Frankenstein (that's fronkensteen, by the way) trying to escape the legend's shadow, but all this changes when he discovers his grandfather's diary and begins replicating his experiments - and creates his own monster.
[Stream Young Frankenstein]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Celebrate the late, great Gene Wilder by indulging in one of his most delightful works of comedy, Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. This hilarious black-and-white spoof of Mary Shelley's classic tale finds the grandson of Victor Frankenstein (that's fronkensteen, by the way) trying to escape the legend's shadow, but all this changes when he discovers his grandfather's diary and begins replicating his experiments - and creates his own monster.
[Stream Young Frankenstein]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Pumping Iron
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
This iconic 1977 docudrama chronicles the battle of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno for the title of Mr. Olympia, and in the wake of its release managed to popularize the fitness craze of the 1980s. Full of much more heart than you might expect, there's a reason this flick is considered a classic.
[Stream Pumping Iron]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
This iconic 1977 docudrama chronicles the battle of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno for the title of Mr. Olympia, and in the wake of its release managed to popularize the fitness craze of the 1980s. Full of much more heart than you might expect, there's a reason this flick is considered a classic.
[Stream Pumping Iron]
Photo: Netflix
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Mindhorn
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Julian Barratt, Andrea Riseborough, and Steve Coogan, this action-comedy flick follows a has-been actor best known for playing a detective named "Mindhorn" in a 1980s series. While his career has stalled, he finds new purpose when he's forced to work with police to track down a serial killer, as the killer refuses to speak with anyone but Mindhorn (he believes he's a real person). Wacky, charming, and hilarious, Mindhorn will sneak up on you.
[Stream Mindhorn]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Julian Barratt, Andrea Riseborough, and Steve Coogan, this action-comedy flick follows a has-been actor best known for playing a detective named "Mindhorn" in a 1980s series. While his career has stalled, he finds new purpose when he's forced to work with police to track down a serial killer, as the killer refuses to speak with anyone but Mindhorn (he believes he's a real person). Wacky, charming, and hilarious, Mindhorn will sneak up on you.
[Stream Mindhorn]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Delicatessen
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Set in the post-apocalyptic future, this wildly innovative French film manages to seamlessly combine multiple genres, including comedy, science fiction, and horror. All the action occurs in one apartment complex owned by a man who runs the downstairs butcher shop, the last place that seemingly is able to provide great cuts of meat. When a new superintendent discovers what the real source of the meat is, however, everything changes.
[Stream Delicatessen]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Set in the post-apocalyptic future, this wildly innovative French film manages to seamlessly combine multiple genres, including comedy, science fiction, and horror. All the action occurs in one apartment complex owned by a man who runs the downstairs butcher shop, the last place that seemingly is able to provide great cuts of meat. When a new superintendent discovers what the real source of the meat is, however, everything changes.
[Stream Delicatessen]
Photo: Netflix
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Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Paul Reubens' classic character is at the helm of Tim Burton's first feature-length film, a comedy following an eccentric, prankster man-child who embarks on a cross-country journey to retrieve his treasured bike from the thieves who took it. Don't sleep on this irreverent comedy - you'll come out armed with the pop culture references of the decade.
[Stream Pee-wee's Big Adventure]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Paul Reubens' classic character is at the helm of Tim Burton's first feature-length film, a comedy following an eccentric, prankster man-child who embarks on a cross-country journey to retrieve his treasured bike from the thieves who took it. Don't sleep on this irreverent comedy - you'll come out armed with the pop culture references of the decade.
[Stream Pee-wee's Big Adventure]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Donnie Darko
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, and more, this sci-fi thriller takes place over the course of 28 days and follows a troubled teenager who, after a bizarre (near-fatal) accident, begins to have visions of a man in a giant rabbit suit who urges him to commit a slew of crimes. Strangely funny, scary, and totally compelling, this cult classic is necessary viewing.
[Stream Donnie Darko]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, and more, this sci-fi thriller takes place over the course of 28 days and follows a troubled teenager who, after a bizarre (near-fatal) accident, begins to have visions of a man in a giant rabbit suit who urges him to commit a slew of crimes. Strangely funny, scary, and totally compelling, this cult classic is necessary viewing.
[Stream Donnie Darko]
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Gremlins
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Set against a Christmastime backdrop, this classic horror comedy kicks off when a man brings his teen son an unusual pet called a mogwai. Though he's been warned not to expose the mogwai to water and light and not to feet it after midnight, the rules are broken, and complete chaos ensues. Unexpectedly violent and bizarrely hilarious, there's a reason Gremlins remains a favorite after all these years.
[Stream Gremlins]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Set against a Christmastime backdrop, this classic horror comedy kicks off when a man brings his teen son an unusual pet called a mogwai. Though he's been warned not to expose the mogwai to water and light and not to feet it after midnight, the rules are broken, and complete chaos ensues. Unexpectedly violent and bizarrely hilarious, there's a reason Gremlins remains a favorite after all these years.
[Stream Gremlins]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Mean Girls
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Was there ever a more-quoted movie than Mean Girls? This modern classic follows new kid Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) as she goes undercover (and soon gets sucked into) The Plastics, a group of popular girls who spend their days making other students' lives hell. Biting, witty, and fresh every time, you might just start wearing pink every Wednesday after one viewing.
[Stream Mean Girls]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Was there ever a more-quoted movie than Mean Girls? This modern classic follows new kid Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) as she goes undercover (and soon gets sucked into) The Plastics, a group of popular girls who spend their days making other students' lives hell. Biting, witty, and fresh every time, you might just start wearing pink every Wednesday after one viewing.
[Stream Mean Girls]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Slums of Beverly Hills
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This 1970s-set dramedy starring Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black) and Marisa Tomei depicts a nomadic lower-middle-class family living on the outskirts of Beverly Hills. Though it was initially met with mixed reviews, the flick later became a cult classic and cemented a place in Hollywood for Lyonne's unique talents. Full of wisecracks and relatable family dynamics, Slums of Beverly Hills is an understated delight.
[Stream Slums of Beverly Hills]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This 1970s-set dramedy starring Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black) and Marisa Tomei depicts a nomadic lower-middle-class family living on the outskirts of Beverly Hills. Though it was initially met with mixed reviews, the flick later became a cult classic and cemented a place in Hollywood for Lyonne's unique talents. Full of wisecracks and relatable family dynamics, Slums of Beverly Hills is an understated delight.
[Stream Slums of Beverly Hills]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Oldboy
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This 2003 South Korean neo-noir tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years without explanation, and is suddenly released with money, nice clothes, and a cell phone. He soon finds out that he must find his captor within five days and uncover the motive of his unknown tormentor. This shocking, visually stunning flick will leave you reeling.
[Stream Oldboy]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This 2003 South Korean neo-noir tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years without explanation, and is suddenly released with money, nice clothes, and a cell phone. He soon finds out that he must find his captor within five days and uncover the motive of his unknown tormentor. This shocking, visually stunning flick will leave you reeling.
[Stream Oldboy]
Photo: Everett Collection
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The Fury
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Directed by Brian De Palma, this 1978 supernatural thriller follows a government agent who will stop at nothing to rescue his psychic son after he's kidnapped by a fearful figure looking to use him for his abilities.
[Stream The Fury]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Directed by Brian De Palma, this 1978 supernatural thriller follows a government agent who will stop at nothing to rescue his psychic son after he's kidnapped by a fearful figure looking to use him for his abilities.
[Stream The Fury]
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Teeth
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Terrified of sexual self discovery? Well, this movie will not do you any favors. High schooler Dawn is just like any other - fairly clueless about her own body. When she begins to become sexually active, however, she discovers that she has quite the weapon down below for any who try to commit acts of violence against her - and it ain't pretty.
[Stream Teeth]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Terrified of sexual self discovery? Well, this movie will not do you any favors. High schooler Dawn is just like any other - fairly clueless about her own body. When she begins to become sexually active, however, she discovers that she has quite the weapon down below for any who try to commit acts of violence against her - and it ain't pretty.
[Stream Teeth]
