6 comedies that became cult classics

There are plenty of cult comedy movies that’ve become a part of our cultural consciousness, earning their place through their great cast, stellar timing, and eccentric brand of comedy. Some of them are beloved across generations, and some across a specific group of people. While you might be able to quote some of these movies back-to-front, others you may not have watched or even heard of, depending on how deep into comedy movies you are. Still, all of them are worth a watch if you’re a fan of the comedy genre. 

Rated M

Having a strong ensemble cast is one of the things that most cult classics have in common. And it’s easy to see why, with the top-notch comedy actors in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, there are some truly priceless moments as the cast bounces off each other. Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay are at their peak here, delivering a masterclass in comedy with undeniable style and timing and creating a movie that most people will be able to recognise quotes from: “Milk was a bad choice!”.

Rated M

Any cult classic list would be incomplete without some entry from Tim Burton, and Beetlejuice comes from his most Burton-y era. With a young Winona Ryder, as well as Michael Keaton right before he donned Batman’s cowl, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, Beetlejuice delivers all the whacky, supernatural antics that Tim Burton is famous for. As another plus, Danny Elfman is the composer, giving the movie its signature, lively soundtrack.

Rated PG

This might be a movie that you aren’t familiar with, but you definitely should be. Again, an incredible ensemble cast gives this movie its most incredible moments, featuring Schitt’s Creek’s Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, the hilarious Parker Posey, comedy-riffing classic Fred Willard, and master of expression, voice and timing Jennifer Coolidge. Their skill in improvised comedy is stunning to watch in this off-the-wall comedy about a dog show.

Rated M

A fantastic adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless is peak 90s – the fashion, the slang, the overall feel. It features a youthful cast of actors who were just getting started in their careers like Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy and Alicia Silverstone, who despite their age have still got their comedy chops. Clueless is like its protagonist Cher, it looks stylish and dumb on the surface, but it has a smart, well-thought-out centre. Enjoy.

Rated M

Made before the age of social media, the way Wag the Dog portrays politics is almost charmingly straightforward by comparison. Political satire has always been a big love of the comedy scene, so it’s no surprise that Wag the Dog would attract the big names of Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. In this classic comedy, the powerhouse cast take on the task of manufacturing a fake war to cover up a Presidential scandal. If you’re a fan of Veep or Thick of It, this is one you’ll enjoy.

Rated M

A little different from the rest of these movies, The Disaster Artist is a meta-exploration of the cult hit, Tommy Wiseau’s The Room. The Room rose to fame as an independently released drama with a ridiculous plot, even more ridiculous acting, and the truly mindboggling question of if it was all on purpose or not. The Disaster Artist seeks to answer this question, or perhaps ask even more, with brothers James and Dave Franco in the leading roles, and plenty of other big Hollywood players in there too.

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