10 Halloween Classics That Flopped at the Box Office But Became Cult Favorites

“Jennifer’s Body” is a horror-comedy film that follows a high school girl named Jennifer (Megan Fox), who becomes possessed and starts to prey on her male classmates. Despite the original premise, the movie massively flopped at the box office upon its release in 2009. It only made 16 million dollars on a nearly 32 million dollar budget. However, since 2009, it has gained a cult following for its unique blend of dark humor, feminist themes, and memorable performances, especially by Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, solidifying its place in pop culture.

“Practical Magic” is a fantasy film that centers on two sisters, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, who come from a family of witches and must navigate love, loss, and family curses. Despite its unique premise and star-studded cast, the film flopped at the box office upon its release in 1998. The movie did not make its 75 million budget back. However, it has since become a beloved pop culture staple, celebrated for its themes of sisterhood and magic. More recently, a sequel has been announced with both Kidman and Bullock returning.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a musical comedy-horror film that follows the misadventures of a young couple, Brad and Janet, who stumble upon a bizarre castle inhabited by the eccentric Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his strange creations. Released in 1975, the film initially flopped at the box office due to its unconventional style and mixed reviews. However, it quickly gained an incredibly cult following, thanks in part to midnight screenings where audiences would dress up and interact with the film. It is the longest running theatrical release in history and is often shown around Halloween.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a stop-motion animated musical that tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with bringing the holiday to his own world. Released in 1993, the film was a modest box office hit, garnering a respectable audience but not reaching blockbuster status. Over the years, however, it has grown immensely in popularity and is now regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time.

“Hocus Pocus” follows three witches—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson—who are resurrected in modern-day Salem on Halloween night and wreak havoc. Released in 1993, the film was a box office bomb, losing Disney over $16.5 million. Despite its initial poor performance, “Hocus Pocus” has since gained a massive cult following, becoming a beloved Halloween staple known for its humor, memorable characters, and catchy songs. The film’s enduring popularity led to the release of a long-awaited sequel, further solidifying its status in pop culture. A third film is currently in development.

“The Thing” is a sci-fi horror film directed by John Carpenter, centered on a group of researchers in Antarctica who encounter a shape-shifting alien that can imitate any living organism. Released in 1982, the film was a box office flop, receiving mixed reviews upon its debut, partly due to its graphic special effects and dark themes. However, over the years, “The Thing” has been reevaluated and is now regarded as a masterpiece of the genre, celebrated for its suspenseful atmosphere, groundbreaking practical effects, and deep themes of paranoia and isolation.

“Gremlins 2: The New Batch” is a horror-comedy sequel that follows Billy and Kate as they navigate chaos in a high-tech skyscraper taken over by mischievous and mayhem-loving gremlins. Released in 1990, the film was a box office disappointment, as it deviated from the darker tone of the original “Gremlins” and embraced a more comedic and absurd style. Despite its initial failure, it has since gained a cult following, celebrated for its inventive special effects, self-referential humor, and quirky characters, establishing its place as a beloved classic in the genre.

“Fright Night” is a horror-comedy film released in 1985 that tells the story of a teenager named Charley who discovers that his new neighbor is a vampire. As he struggles to convince others of the threat, he enlists the help of a washed-up TV vampire hunter to confront the creature. While it didn’t achieve significant box office success upon its release, “Fright Night” has since become a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its clever blend of horror and humor, memorable characters, and iconic scenes. Its influence is evident in numerous remakes and homages, solidifying its status as a beloved classic in the genre.

“The Witches” is a dark fantasy film released in 1990, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book. It follows a young boy who encounters a group of witches plotting to eliminate children, led by the formidable Grand High Witch, played by Anjelica Huston. While the film received mixed reviews and didn’t perform spectacularly at the box office, it has since gained cult status for its unique blend of whimsy and horror, memorable performances, and iconic imagery. Its distinctive visual style and themes of bravery and friendship have resonated with audiences over the years, making it a beloved classic, especially around Halloween.

“The Invasion”, released in 2007 and starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, is a sci-fi thriller about a mysterious alien virus that transforms people into emotionless replicas of themselves. Kidman’s character, a psychiatrist, races against time to save her son and uncover the truth behind the invasion. Despite its star power and intriguing premise, the film flopped at the box office, receiving mixed reviews from critics. However, over the years, it has garnered a more favorable reassessment for its thought-provoking themes. Kidman and Craig are also much bigger stars than they were in 2007 and that has only helped the movie’s legacy.

These movies were for sure not the hits that they hoped to be. However, they are all deserving of a rewatch this halloween season as cult classics.