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Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed

Updated 3:40 PM EDT, Thu July 11, 2013
Link Copied!
OK, we heard you. Readers definitely responded to our piece about <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F07%2F10%2Fshowbiz%2Fmovies%2Fbig-bombs-revisited%2Findex.html" target="_blank">movies that bombed when first released but were later reconsidered</a>, and they came up with some of their own picks -- movies that you love to hate, such as 1995's "Showgirls." This little gem with Elizabeth Berkley "is one of those films that critics absolutely trashed when it came out. Now it's a cult classic," a commenter called Crockett pointed out. Some others that fit that category include:
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
OK, we heard you. Readers definitely responded to our piece about movies that bombed when first released but were later reconsidered, and they came up with some of their own picks -- movies that you love to hate, such as 1995's "Showgirls." This little gem with Elizabeth Berkley "is one of those films that critics absolutely trashed when it came out. Now it's a cult classic," a commenter called Crockett pointed out. Some others that fit that category include:
Getty Image/File
Commenter IAmNotATroll submitted "Plan 9 From Outer Space." This sci-fi tale of aliens bringing back the dead did not appear to be of this world when first released in 1959. It took nearly three years before it even found a distributor, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt0052077%2Ftrivia%3Fref_%3Dtt_trv_trv" target="_blank" target="_blank">according to Internet Movie Database,</a> but now it has quite a fan base.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
Commenter IAmNotATroll submitted "Plan 9 From Outer Space." This sci-fi tale of aliens bringing back the dead did not appear to be of this world when first released in 1959. It took nearly three years before it even found a distributor, according to Internet Movie Database, but now it has quite a fan base.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images/File
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with Tim Curry, left, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon did not draw large audiences when first released in 1975. Frequent midnight showings later helped make it a cult film, as commenter NeonBlaqk pointed out.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with Tim Curry, left, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon did not draw large audiences when first released in 1975. Frequent midnight showings later helped make it a cult film, as commenter NeonBlaqk pointed out.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images/File
Commenter Daisy was spot on about including "Barbarella." A <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F1967%2Ffilm%2Freviews%2Fbarbarella-1200421698%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Variety critic was among those who panned</a> the sci-fi film in 1968. It wasn't much of a blockbuster then despite the hot poster of Jane Fonda in the title role. It has had an impact on pop culture though, including a character who inspired the name for the '80s pop band Duran Duran.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
Commenter Daisy was spot on about including "Barbarella." A Variety critic was among those who panned the sci-fi film in 1968. It wasn't much of a blockbuster then despite the hot poster of Jane Fonda in the title role. It has had an impact on pop culture though, including a character who inspired the name for the '80s pop band Duran Duran.
Archive Photos/Getty Images/File
One reader (sorry, you just listed yourself as Guest) asked, "How did they miss 'Encino Man'?" A caveman goes to high school? How could this 1992 flick with Pauly Shore, from left, Brendan Fraser and Sean Astin miss?
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
One reader (sorry, you just listed yourself as Guest) asked, "How did they miss 'Encino Man'?" A caveman goes to high school? How could this 1992 flick with Pauly Shore, from left, Brendan Fraser and Sean Astin miss?
Encino Man Productions/Getty Images/File
Angela Ott said, "Okay, someone has to say it. ... 'Howard the Duck!' " Even the creator of the comic that the film was based on didn't love it when this movie with Lea Thompson was released in 1986. But we dare you not to watch it when it comes on TV now.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
Angela Ott said, "Okay, someone has to say it. ... 'Howard the Duck!' " Even the creator of the comic that the film was based on didn't love it when this movie with Lea Thompson was released in 1986. But we dare you not to watch it when it comes on TV now.
Universal/courtesy Everett Collection
A reader named Steve said he was "surprised 'Cabin Boy' didn't make this list." The 1994 fantasy flick earned star Chris Elliott, second from right, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.listal.com%2Flist%2Frazzie-nominated-films-1990s" target="_blank" target="_blank">a Razzie nomination</a> for "worst new star."
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
A reader named Steve said he was "surprised 'Cabin Boy' didn't make this list." The 1994 fantasy flick earned star Chris Elliott, second from right, a Razzie nomination for "worst new star."
Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Commenter ghengisman said we "(f)orgot 'Battlefield Earth.' No one should ever make a movie out of a novel where the phrases 'Blown to bits' and 'Cut to pieces' alternate every two pages." It took John Travolta, right, years to live down this stinker from 2000.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
Commenter ghengisman said we "(f)orgot 'Battlefield Earth.' No one should ever make a movie out of a novel where the phrases 'Blown to bits' and 'Cut to pieces' alternate every two pages." It took John Travolta, right, years to live down this stinker from 2000.
Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
A reader named DaMenace suggested the low-budget 1978 horror film "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!" This one definitely is a saucy best-worst movie.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
A reader named DaMenace suggested the low-budget 1978 horror film "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!" This one definitely is a saucy best-worst movie.
Everett Collection
EyeKantSpeell suggested another low-budget film -- "Gawd nobody has yet to mention 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' pure classic!" So we added this 1988 "masterpiece."<br />
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
EyeKantSpeell suggested another low-budget film -- "Gawd nobody has yet to mention 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' pure classic!" So we added this 1988 "masterpiece."
Everett Collection
" 'Army of Darkness' ... enough said ... cult classic!" Thanks tarlcabot. The 1992 horror film with Bruce Campbell as a man transported back in time does now have its fans.
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
" 'Army of Darkness' ... enough said ... cult classic!" Thanks tarlcabot. The 1992 horror film with Bruce Campbell as a man transported back in time does now have its fans.
Universal/courtesy Everett Collection
"Troll 2" was never supposed to be a blockbuster, but Crag Crumple said of the 1990 low-budget movie, "Watch it. WATCH IT."
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
"Troll 2" was never supposed to be a blockbuster, but Crag Crumple said of the 1990 low-budget movie, "Watch it. WATCH IT."
Trans World Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection
The black comedy "Harold and Maude" starred Bud Cort as a young man obsessed with death who becomes involved with an elderly free spirit played by Ruth Gordon. Commenter Molly Duglar said of the 1971 film: "The critics hated it and it died at the box office. But due to a cult following, began making a profit in 1983."
Worst movies reconsidered: What we missed —
The black comedy "Harold and Maude" starred Bud Cort as a young man obsessed with death who becomes involved with an elderly free spirit played by Ruth Gordon. Commenter Molly Duglar said of the 1971 film: "The critics hated it and it died at the box office. But due to a cult following, began making a profit in 1983."
Everett Collection

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