Not every great movie becomes a cult classic overnight. In fact, many films that eventually inspire devoted fanbases begin their lives as misunderstood or underseen. Some may think that Hollywood has been following a certain trend to keep their movies relevant with the masses, but still, filmmakers and some studios try to defy expectations by releasing risky efforts. Without a clear-cut formula, these films struggle to find life, but with strong potential in them, they will find their audiences eventually.
Here, we take a look at movies from the last ten years that have the potential to become cult classics. These movies swing big and are directed by great directors, so they must not be missed. Whether through daring performances or singular ambition, the movies on this list possess the qualities that allow cinema to endure beyond trends and become cult favorites.
‘Thelma’ (2017)
Thelma follows a lonely young woman (Eili Harboe) who leaves her deeply religious home to attend university in Oslo, where she begins experiencing violent seizures after developing feelings for a fellow student. As her attraction intensifies, strange events begin to occur around her. It might be that her episodes may be connected to suppressed memories and terrifying powers she does not fully understand.
With Sentimental Value gaining exposure, it’s time to pay attention to one of Joachim Trier‘s previous films. Thelma is a unique coming-of-age story that’s bound to be discovered by more people. It explores identity and self-acceptance in the framework of a slow-burn horror film. Led by a remarkable performance by Eili Harboe, the film was critically acclaimed when it was first released. With stellar visuals and unique lore, the film is sure to become a cult favorite in the near future.
‘Annihilation’ (2018)
Annihilation follows Lena (Natalie Portman), a biologist and former soldier who joins an all-female expedition to investigate an environmental anomaly inside The Shimmer, an unexplainable natural phenomenon. Inside, plants, animals, and even human biology mutate in unsettling ways, creating a landscape both beautiful and deeply hostile. Their mission becomes more of a confrontation with the unknown than an exploration.
After directing Ex Machina, Alex Garland returned with another cerebral science-fiction film. Annihilation might not have a traditional narrative closure, but its themes and ambiguity make it a much more interesting film. Natalie Portman’s powerful performance led the film’s amazing ensemble that includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac. The film has hypnotic visuals and a famously unsettling third act that makes viewers return to the film and try to reinterpret it. Its release might be the only thing that hampered its impact, as it was only released in cinemas in the US and on Netflix in other countries.
‘Eddington’ (2025)
Set in a New Mexico town during the 2020 pandemic, Eddington follows Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), who gets into a conflict with Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) over an implemented lockdown and a past encounter with Joe’s wife (Emma Stone). Joe then launches a campaign to undermine Garcia. The situation, however, spirals out of control, and so does Joe’s grip on everything.
Departing from pure horror, Ari Aster still brings his signature sense of unease, this time in an anxiety-inducing, uncomfortable social satire. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a committed performance as someone who’s consumed by fear and misinformation. The film may be too recent to explore this subject matter, but it touches on almost everything that happened during that time, from the pandemic to polarization to police brutality. It was deemed too abrasive or political, but Eddington feels destined for reevaluation as a defining cinematic snapshot of its moment.
‘Hundreds of Beavers’ (2022)
Hundreds of Beavers follows Jean Kayak (Ryland Tews), an applejack salesman whose livelihood is destroyed by beavers. He becomes a fur trapper battling nature and an absurdly large population of beavers. It’s not a man-versus-nature film like The Grey, but instead it’s an elaborate slapstick film shot in black and white and is told almost entirely without dialogue.
Made with just $150,000 and a six-people crew, Hundreds of Beavers is an inventive, modern comedy that channels the silent-era films. Its DIY ingenuity is precisely what makes it cult-bound. Some critics even put the film on the year’s best list and likened the low-budget filmmaking to early movies by Sam Raimi and Robert Rodriguez. It was first screened in 2022 but only received wider release in 2024. Through word-of-mouth screenings and festivals, the film managed to rank eighth on Letterboxd’s 2024 Year in Review. Now available to watch at home, the film is definitely bound for cult glory.
‘Raw’ (2016)
Raw follows Justine (Garance Marillier), a lifelong vegetarian who enrolls in veterinary school. In the school’s hazing ritual, she is forced to consume raw meat for the first time. Soon after, she develops an uncontrollable craving that evolves into an appetite for human flesh. Directed by the boundary-pushing Julia Ducournau, Raw is an unconventional coming-of-age tale.
Ducournau’s debut feature redefined modern body horror by grounding shock value in emotional depth. Garance Marillier delivers a fearless breakout performance that captures vulnerability and dangerous curiosity in equal measure. Premiering to acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, Raw quickly gained notoriety for its visceral imagery, but its lasting power lies in its thematic layers that explore sexuality and identity through horror. Like Ducournau’s other film, Titane, the film is a prime cult candidate for genre fans and arthouse cinephiles alike.
‘One Cut of the Dead’ (2017)
One Cut of the Dead begins as what appears to be a low-budget zombie film shot in one continuous take, following a struggling film crew attacked by real zombies during production. Halfway through, the movie reveals an entirely different perspective that serves as a love letter for movies and filmmaking.
The film’s English title might relegate it to just “another zombie film,” but the original Japanese title, Don’t Stop the Camera!, might be more suitable to reflect the film’s bursting energy. The first act’s deliberate awkwardness becomes a brilliant payoff upon rewatch. It is best experienced without knowing what to expect other than a low-budget zombie film. Built on unknown actors and made for minimal cost, the film made a thousand times its budget and was nominated for several awards. If you love cinema, then One Cut of the Dead is made for you.
‘Annette’ (2021)
Annette tells the story of Henry (Adam Driver), a provocative stand-up comedian, and Ann (Marion Cotillard), a celebrated opera singer whose whirlwind romance plays out under the glare of public fame. Their seemingly passionate relationship takes a dark turn following the birth of their daughter, Annette, a child with an extraordinary gift that quickly becomes the subject of Henry’s ambition.
In his first English-language film, director Leos Carax delivers one of the most daring musicals in recent memory, with the quirky Sparks writing the music. Adam Driver gives a wildly committed performance that swings between vulnerability and menace, while Marion Cotillard provides the calm, emotional side to ground the film’s surreality. The real star, however, is Baby Annette, who’s played by a marionette puppet throughout most of the movie. Winning Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival, Annette divided audiences with its eccentric tone and emotional intensity, but that just means it has all the right ingredients for being a cult classic.
‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)
The Handmaiden follows Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), a young pickpocket hired by a con man to pose as a maid for a wealthy Japanese heiress, Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), as part of an elaborate scheme to manipulate her into marriage and steal her fortune. As Sook-hee pushes herself into Hideko’s isolated life within the estate controlled by her oppressive uncle, unexpected emotional intimacy begins to complicate the plan.
The visionary Park Chan-wook combines erotic thriller, romance, and psychological drama with extraordinary precision, crafting arguably the most visually meticulous film in recent memory. Acclaimed at the Cannes Film Festival and praised for its cinematography, production design, and bold storytelling, The Handmaiden rewards repeat viewings through its structural complexity and thematic richness. Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri deliver deeply nuanced performances that anchor the film’s emotional core, elevating its twists beyond mere narrative gimmicks. Like many future cult masterpieces, its reputation continues to grow as viewers discover new details with each viewing.
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga traces the journey of Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) after she is kidnapped from the Green Place and thrust into the violent wasteland. Passed between rival tyrants, including the theatrical and unpredictable Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), Furiosa learns to survive and plans her revenge on the people who killed her mother.
After the success of Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller once again proves that blockbuster filmmaking can still feel singular and visionary. Taking a much more epic, operatic route, Furiosa did not get the same love as its predecessor. It bombed at the box office and failed to secure any nominations at the Oscars. However, everyone who has seen it agrees that it’s still a beast of a film. Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a remarkable performance that channels Charlize Theron while also giving the character her own spin. The film is not only an action masterpiece but also an outstanding achievement in filmmaking.
‘Babylon’ (2022)
Babylon chronicles Hollywood’s wild late-1920s transition from silent cinema to sound. The film follows Manny Torres (Diego Calva), an ambitious outsider desperate to make it in the movie business; Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie), a magnetic rising star whose raw talent is combined with self-destructive impulses; and Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), a silent movie icon failing to stay relevant in the new era.
Damien Chazelle crafts an excessive epic that mirrors the chaos of early Hollywood. Despite strong critical admiration for its technical achievements, which include its Oscar-nominated music by Justin Hurwitz and impeccable production design, the film bombed at the box office and received divisive reactions. The film has Margot Robbie delivering a fearless performance that captures both the thrill and danger of instant stardom and Brad Pitt bringing unexpected poignancy to a fading movie legend. Its maximalist filmmaking and love for cinema make it a must-see for cinephiles. No other movie has come close to Babylon‘s ambitiousness, and it’s something to be appreciated in years to come.