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It's very logical to say that cult movies are the movies that have gathered a cult following, but, be as it may, such a statement does not explain a thing. And while definitions of a cult film might vary, there's one thing that unites them all, and it is being counterculture, transgressive, and against the mainstream. A more inclusive definition would also add the movie being a total commercial or critical flop that has nevertheless gained a reasonable number of fans. Fans of such cult classics, in their own right, aren't just your usual fans - they are usually thoroughly devoted to said artwork by forming a subculture surrounding the movie or, in some cases, like The Big Lebowski, even spawning a religion. So, basically, a cult movie is a very underrated-at-the-time movie that has gathered a fanbase of very loyal fans. This is to simplify it to its bones, and if you are, in fact, a loyal fan of, say, Heathers, please excuse us if we got something wrong. However, if you are hearing the term for the very first time and the description has piqued your interest, why not check out some of the most iconic cult classics in our list dedicated to them? While the movies are in no particular order, the ten first ones also have short descriptions added to them so you'll know what you are getting yourself into.

Are you ready to try some majestically weird movies that follow no tropes and cliches? If so, scroll just a bit further down and check out our list of the most amazing cult movies! From such gems as The Rocky Horror Picture Show to The Room and Showgirls, you'll definitely find a movie that's your kind of weird.

#1

The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski

1998 | 1 hour 57 minutes | Directed by Joel Cohen and Ethan Coen
 

Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore

The Big Lebowski by the Coen brothers not only has gained a cult-like following but has also inspired a whole new philosophy called Dudeism. Peppered with hilarious and memorable performances from supporting actors (Turturro's Jesus is by far one of the greatest supporting characters ever), The Big Lebowski is a real adventure to watch. And if you haven't already, we strongly recommend it!

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Spleens the cat fan
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These guys were in a My Little Pony episode

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    #2

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show

    1975 | 1 hour 40 minutes | Directed by Jim Sharman
     

    Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical comedy horror film and the only movie where you get to see Tim Curry frolicking around with stockings and a corset, all looking super serious while frolicking around in his creepy mansion. Oh, and singing catchy tunes, of course! This image alone guarantees The Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult status, but add in some naughty fun, extraordinary musical pieces, and an absolutely unique premise, and it turns into a real crown jewel of weird movies.

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    Russell Bowman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    DO NOT watch at home whike eating pizza ... only ina crowded cinema with like minded ... for it is an audiance particioation event. Let there be lips...

    Highwaytozen
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No.1 fav movie of all time. OH ROCKY!!

    Chucky Cheezburger
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah...Wife and I just watched this awhile back. It was her first time. I really should cosplay as Riff Raff.

    Amy Taylor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My husband and I went to a big Halloween party as Riff-Raff and Magenta!! My favorite couples costume ever!!

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    #3

    Monty Python & The Holy Grail

    Monty Python & The Holy Grail

    1975 | 1 hour 31 minutes | Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
     

    Starring John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle

    Monty Python and The Holy Grail is a comedy film inspired by the Medieval Arthurian legend. Thus, the premise is exactly that - King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table set out for a very low-budget, totally ragtag hunt for the Holy Grail. It being the work of the Monty Python troupe, you should expect some iconic spoofs, absurd events, and meme-worthy images supplied by knock-you-out-of-your-socks humor. No wonder this movie soon became a mega-hit earning itself the title of a cult movie!

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    HarriMissesScotland
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I taught Humanities and Fine Arts at the college level. I showed this every semester before discussing the Middle Ages. One of my all time favorite movies.

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    #4

    This Is Spinal Tap

    This Is Spinal Tap

    1984 | 1 hour 22 minutes | Directed by Rob Reiner
     

    Starring Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest

    This Is Spinal Tap is a mockumentary that marked Rob Reiner's directorial debut. It goes like this - Spinal Tap, an English heavy metal band, goes on an American tour that's documented by a filmmaker fan. The group is headed for a crisis, and it all ends with the infamous stage prop accident. This Is Spinal Tap has ingeniously witty dialogue, the humor is as good as gold, and although the premise might seem like an overly familiar one, Reiner's take on it leaves no doubts about the story's freshness. Not only is This Is Spinal Tap a bona fide cult movie, but it has also been nominated as one of the best movies of all time by numerous sources.

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    Chucky Cheezburger
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my gawd...so many clichés that are so freaking true.

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    #5

    Donnie Darko

    Donnie Darko

    2001 | 1 hour 53 minutes | Directed by Richard Kelly
     

    Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell

    Donnie Darko is an independent science fiction psychological thriller by Richard Kelly. It's an ominous story of a troubled teenager Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), who starts seeing visions of Frank - a rabbit-like monster - who warns him that the world will end in 28 days. Soon, Donnie starts manipulating Frank to commit heinous crimes. The movie itself is chillingly ominous and menacing; it's like watching clouds gathering right before the storm of the century. And when you think that it is basically about the teenage angst that you yourself have felt when growing up, it all starts to feel even eerier. A real cult classic movie that you should've watched yesterday.

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    Amy Taylor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's seriously amazing...and what a great soundtrack!!!

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    #6

    Heathers

    Heathers

    1988 | 1 hour 43 minutes | Directed by Michael Lehmann
     

    Starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty

    Heathers is a black comedy teen film portraying four teenage girls (three of them named Heather) in a clique at an Ohio high school. All goes well for the Heathers and Veronica until a human-hating new kid enters their school with a plan to kill them all and stage it as a suicide. Despite being highly stylized and hyperbolized satire, Heathers somehow captures the real essence of a high school - a ruthless place filled with murderous teens who'd do anything to relieve their angst. A cult comedy, for sure!

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    foofoofloofy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For some reason I was allowed to watch this at age 11...but an amazing movie!

    Jacob Nunez
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so glad that this movie is in here. 10/10 would watch over and over.

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    #7

    Office Space

    Office Space

    1999 | 1 hour 29 minutes | Directed by Mike Judge
     

    Starring Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman

    A commercial flop upon its release, Office Space later did so well with selling on home video and DVDs that it gained a cult-like following just a couple of years later. Several elements of the film are still reused as memes to this day - remember the one about working on Saturday? Curiously enough, a red Swingline stapler became a staple of the movie, and the manufacturers started offering the previously nonexistent stapler for purchase.

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That printer got what was coming to it

    MJ
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Best part of the movie! I can sing the music in my head when they beat it to a pulp. Was it cd load letter the error?

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    #8

    Dazed And Confused

    Dazed And Confused

    1993 | 1 hour 43 minutes | Directed by Richard Linklater
     

    Starring Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey 

    Dazed And Confused is yet another cult classic comedy/coming-of-age story on our list; it seems that the '90s spawned plenty of iconic movies! So, here, we get to follow the adventures of high school and junior high students on their last day of school in 1976, and, boy, do they get wild! From sketchy characters to off-the-wall happenings, Dazed And Confused will take you to the whirlwind that is teenage life. By the way, it's one of Tarantino's favorite movies, and that's a great recommendation.

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    New Everywhere
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen this movie so many times and I still love it!

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    #9

    Wet Hot American Summer

    Wet Hot American Summer

    2001 | 1 hour 37 minutes | Directed by David Wain
     

    Starring Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter

    Wet Hot American Summer is a satirical comedy film that follows events taking place during the last day of a fictional summer camp in 1981 and gloriously spoofs sex comedies of the era. At first, the film was largely misunderstood and went to be a total commercial and critical failure; however, with some time passing, the audiences finally started to get it, and since then, Wet Hot American Summer has been a real cult classic. So, if you're looking for some quality satire and a chance to gawk at guys wearing too short shorts, this comedy might be exactly the thing.

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    #10

    Eraserhead

    Eraserhead

    1977 | 1 hour 29 minutes | Directed by David Lynch
     

    Starring Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph

    Eraserhead is a surrealist horror film and the first feature-length movie by David Lynch. Now, as with everything Lynch, it isn't a simple task to explain what Eraserhead is truly about, but the premise goes like this - Henry Spencer is trying very hard to survive in an unbearably industrial environment while dealing with his angry girlfriend and the incessant screams of his newborn mutant child. And if Eraserhead started off as an obscure movie for small audiences, it is now kept for preservation in the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Well, we wouldn't expect anything else when it comes to the works of David Lynch, to be honest!

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    #11

    Reservoir Dogs

    Reservoir Dogs

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    MJ
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favorite movie of all time

    #13

    Army Of Darkness

    Army Of Darkness

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    Russell Bowman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Clatto Verata N... Necktie... Nickel... It's an "N" word, it's definitely an "N" word!

    CelticElff
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gimme some sugar, baby ... Shop smart, shop..S-Mart ... love love love Bruce Campbell in these

    Scotira
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Klaatu Verata Ne*coughcough*

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    #14

    Rushmore

    Rushmore

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    foofoofloofy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Watched it when I was 10. Loved it then, love it now!

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    #15

    Repo Man

    Repo Man

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    UpQuarkDownQuark
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love, love, love this movie. Harry Dean Stanton!

    #16

    The Warriors

    The Warriors

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    New Everywhere
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Clink of the bottles* Warriors...come out to play

    #17

    The Breakfast Club

     The Breakfast Club

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    #18

    The Princess Bride

    The Princess Bride

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    Scotira
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!

    Kim Kermes
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do not think it means what you think it means. A lot of that going around these days...

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    #19

    The Room

    The Room

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    #20

    Oldboy

     Oldboy

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    Charlotte Grace
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No no no no no why is it not showing the original?!?!

    #21

    Labyrinth

    Labyrinth

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    Chucky Cheezburger
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This movie was a trip...Loved it and the soundtrack.

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    #22

    The Thing

    The Thing

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    #23

    Young Frankenstein

    Young Frankenstein

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    #24

    Ghostbusters

    Ghostbusters

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    Lizzy Crit
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ray, when someone asks if you're a god, you say YES!

    #25

    Clue

    Clue

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    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Communism was just a red herring.

    CelticElff
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tim Curry is an international treasure.

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    #26

    The Blues Brothers

    The Blues Brothers

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    Allan Hviid
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a packet of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses... HIT IT!"

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    #27

    Being John Malkovich

    Being John Malkovich

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    #28

    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

     Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

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    #29

    Idiocracy

    Idiocracy

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    Lisa H
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After 2016 and 2020, I don't think I can laugh at the eerie accuracy of this film...

    New Everywhere
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just watched this recently and I'm afraid we're getting pretty close

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    #30

    Big Trouble In Little China

    Big Trouble In Little China

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    Scotira
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is a big MUST! Colourful and weird!

    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I absolutely love this film.

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye, and asks you if you paid your dues; you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have you paid your dues, Jack? Yes, sir, the check is in the mail."

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    #31

    Trainspotting

    Trainspotting

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    The Vincent Gonzales Plan
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Groundbreaking movie about the horrors of heroin. Don't look up at the ceiling...

    #33

    Fire Walk With Me

    Fire Walk With Me

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    #34

    Pulp Fiction

    Pulp Fiction

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    CelticElff
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unpopular opinion: I hated this movie.

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    #35

    Fargo

    Fargo

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    Lisa H
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is one of the best movies of all time!!!!!

    #36

    Harold And Maude

    Harold And Maude

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    #37

    A Clockwork Orange

    A Clockwork Orange

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    Lizzy Crit
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Skip the movie, read the book instead

    Kim Kermes
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope, nope, nope. When Anthony Burgess was writing the novel, he had to get massively drunk to write one of the scenes. Lord of the Flies was easier to stomach when I was made to read it at 13.

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    #38

    The Goonies

    The Goonies

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    Lisa H
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Tell us everything!" "Okay, this one time in 5th grade....." 🤣🤣🤣

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    #39

    The Exorcist

    The Exorcist

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    Lisa H
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely awesome movie!

    #40

    The Sixth Sense

    The Sixth Sense

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    #41

    Jurassic Park

    Jurassic Park

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    #42

    The Nightmare Before Christmas

    The Nightmare Before Christmas

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    Jacob Nunez
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Boys and girls of every age Wouldn't you like to see something strange Come with us and you will see, This our town of Halloween This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Pumpkins scream in the dead of night This is Halloween, everybody make a scene, Trick or treat till the neighbours come and die of fright It's our town, everybody scream, In this town of Halloween I am the one hiding under your bed, Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red I am the one hiding under your stairs, Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween In this town we call home, Everyone hail to the pumpkin song In this town, don't we love it now, Everybody's waiting for the next surprise Round that corner, then, Hiding in the trash cans, Something's waiting now to pounce and how you'll.. Scream, this is Halloween, Red and black and slimy green, Aren't you scared? Well, that's just fine, Say it once, say it twice, Take a chance and ro

    Jacob Nunez
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ride with the moon in the dead of night Everybody scream, everybody scream, In our town or Halloween I am the clown with the tear-away face, Here in a flash and gone without a trace I am the who when you call "Who's there?", I am the wind blowing through your hair I am the shadow on the moon at night, Filling your dreams to the brim with fright This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween Tender lumplings everywhere, Life's no fun without a good scare, That's our job but we're not mean In our town of Halloween In this town, don't we love it now, Everyone's waiting for the next surprise Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back And scream like a banshee, Make you jump out of your skin! This is Halloween, everybody scream, Won't you please make way for a very special guy Our man Jack is king of the pumpkin patch, Everyone hail to the pumpkin king Now, this is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween In this town

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    Charlotte Grace
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My partner refuses to watch this with me because I can't help but quote Every. Single. Word. I am currently wearing Nightmare Before Christmas pyjamas :)

    New Everywhere
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a duvet cover with Jack and Sally on it. I'm grown as hell. Still love this movie.

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    #43

    Jaws

    Jaws

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    #44

    The Gods Must Be Crazy

    The Gods Must Be Crazy

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    Capo3Tanya
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can I watch this movie! My boyfriend and I can't find where to stream it he's been dying for me to see it.

    Kim Kermes
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Delightful! Do rhinos really stamp out fires?

    K- THULU
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only the ones that are 2 guys in a rhino costume!

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    #45

    Napoleon Dynamite

     Napoleon Dynamite

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    #46

    The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen

     The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen

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    #48

    12 Monkeys

    12 Monkeys

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    #49

    The Evil Dead

    The Evil Dead

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    Jacob Nunez
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tbh this was a good horror movie. The brother is the biggest d******d on the planet tho.

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    #50

    Hairspray

     Hairspray

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