100 Cult Films

by Xavier Mendik, Ernest Mathijs

Thisaccessible guide takes cult cinema fanatics and academics alike through the 100 most memorable films, showcasing such diverse hits as The Sound of Music, Edward Scissorhands, and The Gods Must Be Crazy. This guide does not limit readers to cinematic favorites of the general public alone, but instead explores the worlds of such cult sub-genres as Italian cannibal movies and Japanese anime. Including vivid photos of unforgettable scenes, this Screen Guide brings to life the success behind some of the biggest movies of our time.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Academic, Pop Culture

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2011

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a certain nerdy weakness for books like this, a curiosity about which films are included, and why. In drawing up this list, the BFI have sought to be geographically wide ranging. The Introduction states that only 55 of the 100 films are classed as American. I would say though, that there is a preponderance of films in the sci-fi and horror genres. I suppose that’s to be expected, as it’s those types of films that most tend to attract a cult audience.

There is of course no set definition of what constitutes a “cult” film. The authors here essentially define it as a film with a devoted following. This leads them to include some very well-known films, such as those in the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings series. It’s quite true that these films have devoted followers, though there is an argument that a “cult” film should be one with an audience that is not just devoted but relatively small. As the authors themselves concede, something like Star Wars is less a cult than a full-blown church with a mass-membership.

There are about 25-30 films on the list that I have seen (depending on whether you count some that I started but didn’t finish watching) and they included about a half-a dozen of my all-time favourites. I enjoyed revisiting them through the written word. I was hoping that I would get some ideas for other films to watch, but there were only 3 or 4 that I have added for that purpose. Judging from the descriptions given, most of the films on the list contain either graphic violence or explicit sex, or both.

Also, some of the discussion articles include spoilers. Not a problem for those films that I don’t intend to watch, but where I started an article and thought “Sounds interesting. I might watch this,” I skipped forward without completing it, to ensure I didn’t encounter spoilers. I’ll maybe go back to these entries after I have watched the film.

I understand that, in true cinema style, there is to be a follow-up book next year, “100 More Cult Films.” I’m undecided as to whether I will read it.

[Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge film fan and cult films have long fascinated me. This overview of 100 cult films, compiled by the British Film Institute (BFI) is far more global in its reach than most other lists I've seen. The result is that many of the films were completely unknown to me, but the authors' summaries of both the films' plots and the reasons they have gained cult status really helped me to pinpoint which films I might want to seek out and which I can happily go on with my life having never seen.

However, there are a few well-known films in this list too: Star Wars, The Sound of Music, and Wizard of Oz among them. Star Wars earns its place for having built an immense following and working its way into our culture (in fact they argue whether it is cult or culture), but the sheer fanaticism among its devotees is what earns its place on the list. The latter two earn their place for some of the alternate interpretations - the queer readings of those films in particular.

Tarantino is mentioned a little too frequently, although his role in shining light on many of the genre films can't really be ignored. Otherwise, this book is well-worth reading; I'd like to own a copy as I am now sad to have to return it to the library.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Bit of a gap between reading as I had to get it out from the library again, and I was a bit of a procrastinating Patty on that.

Give me the stats on 100 of these unique cult films from A to Z. Some I've never heard about, some new that I'm now intrigued by, and then some that I kind of wish I could unhear the synopsis of (120 days of Sodom just crushes me underneath an exorbitant amount of cruel nihilism). Could this be more updated since this is 2011 edition? Yes to that, but I do now want to watch It's a Wonderful Life and eventually find it El Topo? Definitely. Sometimes they develop a following right away, or they are like a slow burn gain a following over time. They have their quirks and peculiarities. Sometimes they're too intellectual for their own good; and then sometimes they are just pure ridiculousness. To quote the end of this book on a key cult film element: "the wasting of time in the face of modernization". Though is it truly time wasted though, or is it time well spent it with this escapism for yourself, or an enjoyed communal fashion in a theater with other fans?

[Erik Delano-Bluth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly vanilla coffee table book that's purpose is to inform guests that you are an indie cult film buff but the films covered are so notorious that all the information given next to the rather fine stills are common knowledge to anyone with an appreciation for underground indie foreign or exploitational films covered

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tries too hard to be cultish.

[Ilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to fill up your Letterboxd watchlist with cool films. Read through every single entry.