What is a cult classic?
Cult classics are popular movies, TV shows, animation series or video games which have a cult following. They usually have a niche fanbase of dedicated followers who are inspired by their quotes, special effects, sub-culture references or simply their uniqueness. Cult classics are popular TV shows from each decade which have somehow managed to stay relevant in today’s pop culture. Some cult classics have branched out from comics or video games or vice versa. One thing they all have in common is that many of them are franchises in their own right. Cult classics like Pokémon include animated series, live-action films, soundtracks, card games, manga, toys and even a Pokémon Monopoly board game!
Best TV Series with a cult following
Not every show on TV can spark a cult following, but there are some, no matter how old, that still resonate with audiences today. TV shows with a cult following have something in common: they all excite and entice their audience to want more! Fans are usually so loyal that they consume just about everything related to the show. Some movies and TV shows started off with a small fan-base that developed into mainstream madness. Let’s take a look at some of our cult favorites!
1. X-Files
Created by Chris Carter, The X-Files spanned 11 seasons over nearly two decades. When fans couldn’t get enough, two feature films were released six years after the show had ended. The series follows Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny, and Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson, as they investigate cases which relate to the paranormal and government conspiracies. Its famous slogan “The Truth is Out There” transcends time with new generations of viewers catching on to the show’s appeal.
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Since it aired in 1997, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has garnered a cult following like no other. With several spin offs and a movie, the show has proven to be a true classic amongst the young and the old. What is it about Buffy that makes it a cult classic? With a plot centered around a high school student who discovers herself to be a slayer in a long line of slayers, the show pushed some boundaries. Not only is it riddled with action, but a ton of underlying themes, like coming-of-age, romance, and a plot of intrigue. No wonder it lived to become a true 90s classic.
3. F.R.I.E.N.D.S
The show ran for 10 seasons, but people are still watching re-runs of Friends today! Why? The show is packed with comedy and themes that have stayed relevant for decades. It is about relationships, carving out a career for oneself, adjusting to life in the city, but most of all, it is about friendship. Relatable content, right? With its theme song “I’ll Be There for You” glossing the charts and the Rachel hair-do being the go-to hairstyle for every high school girl, what’s not to love about Friends?
4. Star Trek
You either love it or you hate it, but Star Trek has left a huge mark on popular culture, rising to cult classic status over the years. When it first appeared on TV in 1966, it was cancelled, but the 1970s saw its popularity soar as audiences became entranced. Even NASA named a space shuttle after the starship Enterprise! Star Trek takes its audience to unexplored galaxies and on breathtaking adventures, so it is no wonder that the cult classic TV show has been tough, almost impossible, to top!
5. Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a science fiction TV show that was first produced in the early 1960s. It deals with a time-traveling spaceship in the form of a blue police box. The Doctor goes on adventures through time to help people in trouble. The show has become such an important part of British pop culture, that there have been spin-offs, novels, comics, and films produced in its honor. The show is a cult phenomenon and fans are rocking up to Doctor Who conventions dressed as their favorite heroes right to this day.
