The 30 most essential cult films of all time - Cult classics include everything from major studio releases—particularly box office bombs—to low-budget independent films, but they all must have memorable characters, shocking scenes, and quotable dialogue.

Check out this gallery of the most essential classics, and join their most fundamental element: the cult.

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'Pulp Fiction' (1994) -

Though it's an Oscar- and Palme D'Or-winning movie, the seedy, substance-filled Los Angeles story had too many iconic moments to not be a cult favorite.

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'A Clockwork Orange' (1971) - Stanley Kubrick's classic and horrific film pushed the envelope, but the movie's cult fascination often draws from the fact that it was so controversial and hard to watch for so many years.

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'The Big Lebowski' (1998) -

The Coen Brothers classic, featuring The Dude, wasn't well-received at first, but it's now recognized as their greatest film. There's even a Lebowski fest!

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'Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975) - The fans of this film, adapted from Richard O'Brien's musical, redefined the term "cult" with a full audience participation script (including props), which is still in use to this day.

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'Heathers' (1989) - Winona Ryder's greatest role is rooted in this dark comedy that turned sentimental '80s teen dramas on their heads.

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'Eraserhead' (1977) -

David Lynch is a warranted entry on this list, and his debut feature film perfectly encapsulates what a cult film should be: a bizarre world and great hair.

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'Bottle Rocket' (1996) - Wes Anderson's first feature film, co-written with Owen Wilson, didn't make much money, but fans of his unique cinematic eye keep returning to this classic as the nucleus of his genius.

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'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' (1975) - This low-budget, surreal search for the Holy Grail has definitely stood the test of time.

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'Fight Club' (1999) - When one of the greatest cinematic twists in history is coupled with an already cult-like club, complete with its own set of rules, it's an obvious cult classic—but they don't talk about it.

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'The Blues Brothers' (1980) - It all started as a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch, which turned into an actual chart-topping band, and then a feature film filled with an incredible array of blues legends. Today, there are still tribute acts and fancy-dress screenings.

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'Withnail & I' (1987) - This British comedy, following two alcohol-dependent actors on an accidental holiday, has two main staples of a cult film: great characters and unforgettable quotes.

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'This Is Spinal Tap' (1984) - The mockumentary detailing the universe of an English metal band became an instant standard, and inspired a real tour of the actors in character who released three albums and sold out arenas.

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'Scarface' (1983) -

The Miami crime drama about a Cuban immigrant turned crime lord is credited with one of the most quoted lines in the history of cinema.

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'Pan's Labyrinth' (2006) - Two of the most brilliant and imaginative hours of Guillermo Del Toro's career didn't have much commercial success, but it did become an instant must-see for fantasy lovers and cosplayers ever since.

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'The Princess Bride' (1987) - One of the most quotable movies of all time, this lighthearted but intelligent fairy tale has an ageless quality to it that keeps entertaining every new generation.

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'Clerks' (1994) - Kevin Smith's first and arguably best film tells the story of two resentful shop workers and the clients they despise, hilariously capturing the essence of a listless generation.

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'Amélie' (2001) - This French film's dreamlike celebration of happiness transcended language barriers and charmed audiences worldwide. It also continues to draw tourists to the otherwise unspectacular Café des 2 Moulins.

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'Office Space' (1999) - The film was so popular that fans demanded red Swingline staplers be put into production. The star of the film has even said that people confessed to him that they quit their jobs because of the film!

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'Reservoir Dogs' (1992) - Quentin Tarantino's stylish heist film was actually banned for a few years in the UK and wasn't received with excitement elsewhere, but fans of the movie spurred it on, continuing to show up in black and white suits at screenings.

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'Pink Flamingos' (1972) -

Starring a cult icon, the drag queen Divine, this scandalous film is a grotesque gem that only found success by word-of-mouth. Modern viewers get sick bags at the cinema for that one infamous scene...

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'Labyrinth' (1986) - The cult of David Bowie mixes with his character, the Goblin King, in this weird and wonderful film that has inspired Labyrinth Masquerade Balls all over the world.

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'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974) -

Banned in several countries, this benchmark '70s film already had an aura of tantalizing horror to it, but the underlying political message sealed its cult status.

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'Harold and Maude' (1971) - The hilariously morbid film, about a young compulsive suicidefaker who finds romance with a much older woman, stands on its own in the world of cinema.

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'Donnie Darko' (2001) - This horror sci-fi film found its cult following in midnight screenings in the US, grasping viewers with its perplexing narrative, Jake Gyllenhaal's breakout performance, and, of course, Frank the Rabbit.

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'El Mariachi' (1992) - A landmark in low-budget filmmaking, Robert Rodriguez actually sold his body to science to pay for the Mexican action-thriller.

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'Clueless' (1995) - This satirical film about a wealthy airhead captivated the hearts of viewers everywhere, with more revival screenings, Halloween costumes, and quote-along events than any other high school movie.

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'Blade Runner' (1982) - Ridley Scott's epic futuristic sci-fi film didn't do well at first, but the art direction, the modern film noir atmosphere, the mystery, the music, and the actors cemented its place in the cult hall of fame.

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'Memento' (2000) - Christopher Nolan's cult following stems largely from this film about a man who couldn't remember much, which contrarily became ultimately unforgettable.

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'The Room' (2004) - Tommy Wiseau, director/writer/producer/star of the film, is just as confounding as his unintentional comedy. People have memorized every line and continue to screen it, proving that cult films don't have to be good.

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'The Warriors' (1979) -

Walter Hill's nightmarish depiction of New York's gang violence, paired with the lackluster box office and real-life controversy about the copycat violence spurred by the film, struck a chord with viewers.

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