The world of audiovisual production is probably the most influential sector and factor in culture at a global level, but it is worth noting that the soul of this business is held by the American factory Hollywood, from which the most important cult films of all times have come out.

In this sense, cult films are a reference on a cultural, political and sociological level . They are capable of creating thoughts, opinions, fashions and even trends. Sometimes they are even made with the intention of having an impact on the society of a given moment.

Related articles:

  • “20 films on psychology and mental disorders”
  • “15 EQ films absolutely essential”

14 most successful cult films

Following a general classification according to the opinions of film experts, we present you the 14 essential cult films.

1. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

It is probably the work of Stanley Kubrick that had the most impact on his fans most acutely s. The elements to classify it as a cult film are the violence, the cast that was made of the actors and the unexpected futuristic plot that for the time caused such a furore. This film is still used in psychology schools today.

2. The Goonies (1985)

Adventures, hidden treasures, pirate ship in a cave, a group of endearing teenage friends Who has not dreamed of being part of this film? In the 80’s it was a shocking success that marked the childhood/adolescence of its generations.

3. Mad Max (1979)

It was the film that sent a very young Mel Gibson to stardom, in an unconventional and very low-budget film, shot by an unknown Australian director who wanted to show the world what a society marked by the oil crisis would look like.

Cops in leather and suicide chases, biker punks who only enjoy terrorizing the local population wherever they stop. Mad Max (Mel Gibson) represents the anti-hero figure that marked a turning point in action film.

4. Pulp Fiction (1995)

Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, was a novelty in the mid-20th century . His way of shooting the scenes and superimposing so many parallel and different stories at the same time marked a before and after in the world of cinema. In addition, it has an excellent cast and a soundtrack that was adapted to each scene of the film.

5. Robocop (1987)

A film that became banned in Europe due to its high dose of violence . Private companies decide to take over police security and to do so they resort to hired violence to instill terror. Solution? A half-man, half-machine being who will take revenge on his killers with the same violence.

6. The Shining (1980)

Another cult movie you can’t miss . Stanley Kubrick returned to the scene to present one of the great milestones in horror films. A cursed family that decides to spend their holidays in a haunted hotel, a son with psychotic visions and ghosts that mark the future of the film.

7. E.T. the Alien (1982)

ET is the most adorable alien of its kind . That character who wanted to know about human life forms and made friends with a little teenager with whom he communicated through telepathic emotions. The film has all the ingredients to become a cult film: humour, friendship, tears and suspense.

8. Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia (1974)

One of the cult films most unknown to moviegoers . Well, this work of art brought director Sam Peckinpah the leap to fame in the seventies. Alfredo García’s search marks the film’s plot, full of violence and suspense until the last moment. The life of the main character is in danger if he doesn’t find Alfredo, dead or alive.

9. Taxi Driver (1976)

A sublime Robert de Niro narrates the unfortunate life of a taxi driver in New York in the 1970s . It is a film with sociological overtones as it deals with problems such as loneliness, political deception, prostitution or workers’ rights.

10. Glass Jungle (1988)

Never has an action movie been so original . In fact, experts consider it the only cult film of its kind. European terrorists decide to storm a building to carry out a multi-million dollar robbery of a Japanese company. Can you think of anything with more personality?

11. Breathless (1960)

Jean-Luc Godard marked a turning point in the tapes of romantic character . The exceptionality of the camera movements, the sensuality and photography with which he shot the film, has earned him the title of the best romantic film of all time. Never before had conventional relationships been conveyed with such originality.

12. The Great Lebowski (1998)

The Coen brothers are specialists in making bizarre films , out of this world. But it was with The Big Lebowski that they surprised the viewer. The story of an ordinary, failed character with a more than monotonous life will lead him on an adventure without having asked for it, and all because he wants to bowl with his friends.

13. Barbarella (1968)

Although the feminist demands seem to be current , the director Roger Vadim wanted to transmit the discrimination of the female sex in the cinema , giving the main role to a woman, heroine of the future who shows all the sexual and intellectual power of the female figure.

14. The Warriors (1979)

Another film that shines because of its unusual personality . The film shows the reality of the punk bands of the 70s that became so famous in the USA. The murder of a supreme leader of these bands marks the development of the film. Violence, suspense, social denouncement and friendship are what characterize this great work.