Black Adam hit theaters in 2022 after over a decade of development with star Dwayne Johnson. The action-packed comic adaptation kicked off the recently rebranded DCU with a bold new anti-hero who enticed fans to the blockbuster film. However, critics didn't seem to enjoy Black Adam as much as the fans did when it hit theaters.
Black Adam might join quite a few other movies that got bad reviews but became cult hits after release. The ‘80s were especially filled with great movies like Highlander and Blade Runner that didn’t initially resonate with critics. Fans might take a bit of time to get behind some great films, even if they were poorly reviewed in the ‘80s.
10 The Abyss Sunk At The Box Office But Won Awards
Release Date: August 9, 1989
1989’s The Abyss followed a team of undersea drillers working with Navy SEALS to recover warheads from a downed submarine. They discovered they weren’t alone in the deep ocean and began to investigate the presence of a possible non-terrestrial intelligence while dealing with the political pressures above.
James Cameron’s fascination with the ocean helped 1997’s Titanic become a huge hit, though his earlier exploration didn’t fare as well. The Abyss earned an adequate box office but it didn't impress critics. They criticized the film's length and ending, but The Abyss was still recognized at the Oscars with an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
9 Highlander Launched A Franchise Despite Poor Reviews
Release Date: March 7, 1986
Christopher Lambert starred as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s Highlander from director Russell Mulcahy. MacLeod discovered he was an immortal being locked in a mystical contest with other immortals for power. He loved and lost over the decades as MacLeod fought against an evil immortal known as The Kurgan.
Highlander didn’t impress critics when it hit North America theaters, though it fared better with European audiences. Despite the poor reviews, Highlander became a cult hit with fans. Its eventual success resulted in four movie sequels, a TV series, and a few spin-off projects as well a long-gestating cinematic reboot.
8 David Lynch’s Dune Impressed Fans More Over Time
Release Date: December 14, 1984
Fans of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi epic Dune recently saw a big-budget modern adaptation of the book series from director Denis Villeneuve. However, David Lynch brought an adaptation to the big screen first back in 1984. Dune followed Paul Atreides and his war with another ruling family over the desert world of Arrakis for control of the profitable spice that ran the galaxy.
David Lynch’s adaptation starred a few big names but failed to draw in crowds to make up the film’s large budget. Critics tore the film apart for an overfilled and sometimes confusing plot. The studio made Lynch cut his plans for two movies down to one. Some fans of Dune and Lynch rallied around the film, which has earned cult status over the years.
7 Big Trouble In Little China Has Fans But Failed With Critics
Release Date: July 1, 1986
Kurt Russell starred as truck driver Jack Burton in one of John Carpenter’s best movies, 1986's Big Trouble in Little China. Burton entered the underground of San Francisco to help his friend Wang Chi rescue his kidnapped love. The comedy subverted and celebrated classic kung-fu films while impressing fans with special effects that seemed ahead of their time at release.
Big Trouble in Little China failed to make back production costs with a disappointing box office. The poor reviews and lackluster response to the film led John Carpenter to abandon Hollywood to focus on independent filmmaking instead. Big Trouble in Little China eventually developed a loyal fanbase when it arrived on home video and became a cult hit.
6 Masters Of The Universe Is So Bad That It’s Actually Good
Release Date: August 7, 1987
Following the success of the animated series and toy line based on He-Man, a live-action adaptation called Masters of the Universe hit theaters in 1987. It followed He-Man and his allies as they headed to Earth to find a weapon to help them in their battle for control of the planet Eternia against the threat of Skeletor and his dark forces.
Unfortunately, Masters of the Universe didn’t experience the same success as the rest of the He-Man line. Critics slammed the film as a Star Wars knock-off, though Frank Langella shined in the role of Skeletor. Masters of the Universe might not fall on many best-of lists, but many fans consider it to be so bad that it’s good, making it a nostalgic favorite.
5 The Transformers: The Movie Appealed More To Kids Than Critics
Release Date: August 8, 1986
Another successful toy line and animated series adaptation that headed to the big screen was The Transformers. The robots in disguise starred in 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie, which both entertained and traumatized young fans. The war between the Autobots and Decepticons led to some of Optimus Prime's best quotes and heavy casualties when Unicron arrived.
For young fans of The Transformers, it was an epic confrontation with death that led to the sale of a whole new wave of Autobot toys. It faced stiff competition in theaters that led to a low box office and didn’t impress adult critics. Kids who grew up with The Transformers: The Movie are still fans today visiting the ongoing midnight screenings and rereleases of the movie.
4 Labyrinth’s Box Office Failure Didn’t Stop David Bowie Fans
Release Date: June 27, 1986
Director Jim Henson reteamed with The Dark Crystal’s conceptual designer Brian Froud for 1986’s Labyrinth. David Bowie starred as the Goblin King Jareth. He attempted to kidnap the infant brother of Jennifer Connely’s Sarah Williams. She had to make her way through the titular labyrinth to save her brother before Jareth turned him into a goblin.
The puppet-filled musical fantasy has become a nostalgic hit for fans over the years. David Bowie’s portrayal of Jareth kept the film in the mainstream. Unfortunately, Labyrinth brought in a poor box office during a busy year for movies. It disappointed critics with its dark visual style that fans of the movie applaud today.
3 Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining Took Time To Impress Critics
Release Date: May 23, 1980
The work of Stephen King has been adapted quite a few times over the years. Stanley Kubrick put his own cinematic spin on King’s The Shining which terrified fans but initially turned off critics. Jack Torrance took a job as the caretaker of the haunted Overlook Hotel, whose previous caretaker murdered his whole family.
Stephen King wasn't a fan of Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining, but horror fans embraced the slow-burn film. Critics blamed Kubrick for destroying King’s novel with a slow-paced movie that didn’t thrill the audience. However, The Shining began to connect with both audiences and critics over time to become known as one of the best horrors ever made.
2 Blade Runner Was A Sci-Fi Epic That Was Ahead Of Its Time
Release Date: June 25, 1982
Ridley Scott adapted a Philip K. Dick story in 1982’s Blade Runner, which has become known as one of the best sci-fi films ever made. However, when it was first released, both fans and critics weren’t sold on the unique film. In one of Harrison Ford's best performances, he played Rick Deckard, the titular agent tasked with capturing escaped bioengineered replicants.
Heavy studio involvement resulted in a few different cuts of the film over the years. It was also mismarketed initially, which disappointed fans who went for an action-heavy sci-fi film which resulted in a diminished box office. Critics eventually changed their tune on the film and began to give Blade Runner the accolades it deserved.
1 The Thing Was Critically Panned But Became A Cult Hit
Release Date: June 25, 1982
John Carpenter directed 1982’s The Thing, a dark adaptation of a classic sci-fi novel. The Thing explored a terrifying alien encounter at an isolated research station in Antarctica. A shape-changing alien disguised itself as other living beings, leading to confusion and distrust as they try to survive the alien and each other.
Marketing for The Thing excited fans over the mystery of the alien monster, resulting in an average box office. However, reviewers were harsh on the film when it first arrived in theaters. They critiqued the gory effects along with the dark and depressing ending. Yet The Thing still developed a loyal fan base due to some of the best practical effects in sci-fi movies.