Ajay Kumar at 17:50, 17 August 2023

2023-08-17T17:50:31Z

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{{short description|Group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of culture}}
{{redirect|Cult classic|the album by Blue Öyster Cult|Cult Classic}}
A '''cult following''' is a group of [[Fan (person)|fans]] who are highly dedicated to some person, idea, object, movement, or work,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult| access-date=3 June 2022 |title=Definition of CULT}}</ref> often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an [[artwork]] in some [[List of art media|medium]]. The lattermost is often called a '''cult classic'''. A film, book, musical artist, television series, or video game, among other things, is said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate [[fandom|fanbase]].

A common component of cult followings is the emotional attachment the fans have to the object of the cult following, often identifying themselves and other fans as members of a [[community]]. Cult followings are also commonly associated with niche markets. Cult media are often associated with [[Subculture|underground culture]], and are considered too [[:wikt:eccentric|eccentric]] or anti-establishment to be appreciated by the [[Public|general public]] or to be widely commercially successful.

Many cult fans express their devotion with a level of irony when describing such entertainment, considering it so bad that it is good. Sometimes, these cult followings cross the border to [[camp (style)|camp]] followings. Fans may become involved in a [[subculture]] of [[fandom]], either via [[Fan convention|conventions]], [[online communities]] or through activities such as writing [[Fan fiction|series-related fiction]], costume creation, replica prop and model building, or creating their own audio or video productions from the formats and characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cult.tv |title=The Official Cult TV Magazine |access-date=2020-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513113058/http://www.cult.tv/ |archive-date=2007-05-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Film==
{{main|Cult film}}
[[File:Dori and Sal.jpg|thumb|The [[The Rocky Horror Picture Show cult following|cult following]] for ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]'' emerged through its promotion as a [[midnight movie]].]]
There is not always a clear difference between cult and [[mainstream media]]. Professors Xavier Mendik and Ernest Mathijs, authors of ''[[100 Cult Films]]'', argue that the devoted following among these films make them cult classics. In many cases, films that have cult followings may have been financial flops during their theatrical box office run, and even received mixed or mostly negative reviews by mainstream media, but are still considered a major success by small core groups or communities of fans.

Some cults are only popular within a certain [[subculture]]. The film ''[[Woodstock (film)|Woodstock]]'' (1970) is especially loved within the [[hippie]] subculture, while ''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]'' (1993) holds cult status among American women born in the 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bell |first1=Dale |title=Woodstock: an inside look at the movie that shook up the world and defined a generation |date=1999 |publisher=Michael Wiese Film Productions |location=Studio City, CA |isbn=094118871X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGuire |first1=Nneka |title=On repeat every Halloween, ‘Hocus Pocus’ is a cult classic. When and why did that happen? |url=https://www.thelily.com/on-repeat-every-halloween-hocus-pocus-is-a-cult-classic-when-and-why-did-that-happen/ |website=thelily.com |publisher=The Lily |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> Certain mainstream icons can become cult icons in a different context for certain people. ''[[Reefer Madness]]'' (1936) was originally intended to warn youth against the use of [[marijuana]], but because of its ridiculous plot, overwhelming number of factual errors and cheap look, it became watched by audiences of [[cannabis smoking|marijuana smokers]] and has gained a cult following.<ref name="Peary">{{cite book |last=Peary |first=Danny |title=Cult Movies |year=1981 |publisher=Delacorte Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-440-01626-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cultmoviesclassi0000pear/page/203 203–205]|title-link=Cult Movies (book) }}</ref>

==Television==
{{Main|List of cult television shows}}

{{cleanup|section|reason=Section relies too heavily on examples from American and UK series.|date=November 2020}}
Certain television series develop a cult following after their cancellation, which may cause interest in renewal. ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', which was cancelled in 2006 after its [[Arrested Development (season 3)|third season]], was renewed by [[Netflix]] in 2013 and received two additional seasons. ''[[Futurama]]'' was cancelled in 2003 after its fourth season on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], but was later picked up by [[Comedy Central]] for an additional three seasons due to the following it had developed, and it is planned to receive more content on the streaming service [[Hulu]]. ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' was cancelled after three seasons, but in [[broadcast syndication]] it gained a more substantial following, ultimately spawning a successful [[Star Trek|media franchise]].

[[David Lynch]]'s ''[[Twin Peaks]]'' ran on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] for two seasons from 1990 to 1991, initially garnering high ratings and critical acclaim. Ratings and reception declined following the reveal of [[Laura Palmer]]'s murderer, who was left intentionally unknown by Lynch. Eventually, the show was canceled, ending on a cliffhanger. It was not until 2017 that Twin Peaks returned as a limited series on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]], ending one of the longest hiatuses in television history.

Series often considered cult classics include the long-running BBC science fiction series ''[[Doctor Who]]'',<ref name="DW">{{cite magazine|last=Nussbaum|first=Emily|title=Fantastic Voyage|magazine=The New Yorker|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/06/04/fantastic-voyage|date=June 2012|access-date=January 7, 2017}}</ref> the ITC sci-fi thriller series ''[[The Prisoner]]'',<ref name="Prisoner">{{cite news|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|title=The Prisoner: Cult classic TV series to be revived for new audio drama|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a619443/the-prisoner-cult-classic-tv-series-to-be-revived-for-new-audio-drama/|date=January 5, 2015|access-date=January 7, 2017}}</ref> the Australian soap opera ''[[Prisoner (TV series)|Prisoner: Cell Block H]]'',<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/425875/Wentworth-Prison-Prisoners-return-to-cell-block-H| title=Wentworth Prison: Prisoners return to cell block H| publisher=[[Daily Express]]| date=31 August 2013| access-date=8 June 2018}}</ref> the Indian soap opera that ran for eight years [[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Revisiting Ekta Kapoor's cult show Kasautii Zindagii Kay|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/kasautii-zindagii-kay-ekta-kapoor-5373051/|website=indianexpress.com|date=25 September 2018 |access-date=29 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=All the signs that say you are a die-hard Kasautii Zindagii Kay fan|url=https://www.iwmbuzz.com/television/snippets/signs-say-die-hard-kasautii-zindagii-kay-fan/2019/05/26|website=iwmbuzz.com|date=26 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> and the mock animated talk show ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'' aired on [[Cartoon Network]], which then spawned many spin-offs and other shows that had a similar sense of humor as ''Coast to Coast'' when [[Adult Swim]] became a block on the network.

== Video games ==
Some video games, often those with unique concepts that fail to gain traction with the mainstream audience, attract cult followings and can influence the design of later video games. An example of a cult video game is ''[[Ico]]'' (2001), an initial commercial flop that gained a large following for its unique [[gameplay]] and [[Minimalism|minimalist]] aesthetics, and was noted as influencing the design of ''[[Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons]]'' (2013) and ''[[Rime (video game)|Rime]]'' (2017), among other games.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/09/ico/|title=The Obscure Cult Game That's Secretly Inspiring Everything|magazine=WIRED|access-date=2018-03-11|language=en-US}}</ref> Other games that have cult followings include ''[[EarthBound]]'' (1994), another unsuccessful game that later resulted in the creation of a "cottage industry" selling memorabilia to the [[EarthBound fandom|''EarthBound'' fandom]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/giving-thanks-two-new-books-on-a-cult-classic-embody-gamings-rich-culture|title=Giving Thanks: Two New Books on a Cult Classic Embody Gaming's Rich Culture|website=USgamer.net|language=en|access-date=2018-03-11|date=2016-11-23}}</ref> ''[[Conker's Bad Fur Day]]'' (2001), an unusually mature 3D platform game for the Nintendo 64 celebrated for its dark humor and story,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/04/conker-why-nintendos-most-controversial-game-is-still-one-of-its-greatest|title=Conker: Why Nintendo's Most Controversial Game Is Still One of Its Greatest|last=Ombler|first=Mat|date=2020-01-14|website=IGN|language=en|access-date=2022-03-30}}</ref> ''[[Yume Nikki]]'' (2004), a surreal free-to-play Japanese [[horror game]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/10/16873602/yume-nikki-steam-download-new-project-dream-diary-sequel|title=A disturbing cult classic finally hits Steam, with a follow-up on the way|last=Frank|first=Allegra|date=2018-01-10|website=Polygon|access-date=2018-03-11}}</ref> ''[[Psychonauts]]'' (2005), an at first unsuccessful platformer that has consistently kept one of the strongest fan followings,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-16-the-cult-of-psychonauts|title=The Cult of Psychonauts|last=Dutton|first=Fred|date=2012-03-16|website=EuroGamer.net|language=en|access-date=2022-03-30}}</ref> ''[[Hitman: Blood Money]]'' (2006), considered to many long-time fans of the [[Hitman (franchise)|Hitman]] franchise to be the first and last great Hitman game, despite its outdated controls and gameplay, and not receiving deserved acclaim at the time,<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/have-you-played-hitman-blood-money |title=Have you played… Hitman: Blood Money?|last=Meer|first=Alec|date=2021-10-04|website=rockpapershotgun.com|language=en|access-date=2022-03-30}}</ref> ''[[Alan Wake]]'' (2010), an action-adventure game whose story is modeled similar to a thriller television series format and has gained loyal followings despite its underselling,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-04-why-bother-bringing-back-alan-wake|title=Why bother bringing back Alan Wake?|last=Dring|first=Christopher|date=2021-10-04|website=gamesindustry.biz|language=en|access-date=2022-03-30}}</ref> ''[[Spec Ops: The Line]]'' (2012), a critically acclaimed [[third-person shooter]] known for its portrayal of the "[[War crime|horrors of war]]" and the deep [[Combat stress reaction|psychological impact of armed conflict on soldiers]].,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/06/26/spec-ops-the-line-review-apocalypse-now-481099/|title=Spec Ops: The Line review – apocalypse now|date=2012-06-26|website=Metro|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Spec Ops The Line... 5 Years Later|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dzstxE_5Rc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/8dzstxE_5Rc| archive-date=2021-10-30|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Spec Ops: The Line Review – IGN|date=26 June 2012|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/26/spec-ops-the-line-review|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> and ''[[Dwarf Fortress]]'' (2006), a [[construction and management simulation]] and [[roguelike]] [[indie video game]] known for its roguelike cuboidal-grid world model and sometimes difficult [[Text-based game|text-based interface]], rich and complex simulation gameplay, similarly rich [[Procedural generation#Video games|procedural world generation]] and history of continuous development by a small team which continues {{As of|2023|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/guides/23486243/dwarf-fortress-steam-release-explained-simulator-losing-is-fun |title=Dwarf Fortress is indescribable — but let me try |last=Parkin |first=Jeffrey |date=2022-12-05 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher= |access-date=2023-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/dwarf-fortress-is-coming-to-steam-because-its-developer-1833333064 |title=''Dwarf Fortress'' Is Coming To Steam Because Its Developer Needs Healthcare |last=Jackson |first=Gita |date=2019-03-15 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher= |access-date=2023-02-04}}</ref>

== Music ==
One of the earliest cult classics in rock was [[The Velvet Underground]]'s 1967 debut album, ''[[The Velvet Underground & Nico]]''. While hugely influential, it originally flopped commercially and alienated radio stations, music retailers, and magazines, who found the content too controversial to market. Over the next decade, it received greater recognition from [[rock criticism|rock critics]], who helped make the album more popular. [[The Zombies]]' 1968 album ''[[Odessey and Oracle]]'' was also originally a critical and commercial flop, failing to [[record chart|chart]] despite its single "[[Time of the Season]]" becoming a surprise hit the following year. While the Zombies disbanded just before its release, the album's status grew as a cult classic in the following decades.<ref name="what"/> [[David Bowie]]'s 1970 album ''[[The Man Who Sold the World (album)|The Man Who Sold the World]]'' also did not impact the record charts on its original release while receiving mixed reviews from critics. After Bowie achieved mainstream success in the early 1970s, its 1972 reissue reached number 24 on the [[UK Albums Chart]], but only 105 in the US. ''The Man Who Sold the World''{{'}}s influence on future musicians, such as [[The Cure]], [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]], and [[Gary Numan]], as well as the [[dark wave]] genre, lent it a cult following in the music scene.<ref name="what"/>

Punk rock has produced several albums with cult followings. [[The Ramones]]' 1976 [[Ramones (album)|self-titled debut album]] sold poorly and was critically overlooked on release. It was hugely influential on the then-young punk movement, and eventually sold well enough to earn a gold [[Music recording sales certifications|sales certification]] in 2014. The British post-punk band [[Magazine (band)|Magazine]] also released their debut, ''[[Real Life (Magazine album)|Real Life]]'' (1978), to little popular success, reaching only number 29 in the UK. Its subsequent acclaim as an innovative and influential work in the burgeoning post-punk genre earned it a reputation as a cult classic. In 1982, the American hardcore punk band [[Bad Brains]] released [[Bad Brains (album)|their self-titled debut]] exclusively on cassette, struggling to gain an audience in the vinyl-dominated marketplace. The appearance of the single "[[Pay to Cum]]" on the compilation album ''[[Let Them Eat Jellybeans!]]'' (1981) helped ''Bad Brains'' develop a following in the UK, while the album's musical innovation and growing influence later ensured it a cult-classic status among followers of hardcore punk.<ref name="what"/>

Some alternative albums have also developed cult followings. The American industrial rock band [[Nine Inch Nails]] released their 1989 debut ''[[Pretty Hate Machine]]'' to modest success on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], peaking at number 75. It developed an underground popularity in subsequent years and sold enough to receive a [[RIAA certification|platinum RIAA certification]] in 1995, becoming one of the first independently released albums to accomplish the feat. Also in 1989, [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s debut album ''[[Bleach (Nirvana album)|Bleach]]'' was released to some positive notice from critics, but failed to impact record charts, until the band's massively successful 1991 album ''[[Nevermind]]'' drew further interest to it.<ref name="what">{{cite web|date=April 2, 2020|url=https://whatculture.com/music/10-failed-albums-that-became-cult-classics|title=10 Failed Albums That Became Cult Classics|website=whatculture.com|access-date=August 15, 2020}}</ref>

The R&B singer [[Bilal (American singer)|Bilal]]'s second album, ''[[Love for Sale (Bilal album)|Love for Sale]]'', became a cult classic<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Gipson|first=L. Michael|year=2010|url=https://www.soultracks.com/review-bilal-airtights-revenge|title=Bilal – Airtight's Revenge (2010) (Review)|magazine=[[SoulTracks]]|access-date=July 20, 2020}}</ref> after [[Music leak|leaking]] in 2006 and being notoriously shelved by [[Interscope Records]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/01/26/133189878/bilal-on-world-cafe|title=Bilal on World Cafe|website=[[NPR]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|date=January 26, 2011}}</ref> The musically experimental album quickly developed a following and acclaim online, becoming what ''[[The Village Voice]]'' writer Craig D. Lindsey called "the black-music equivalent of [[Fiona Apple]]'s once-shelved (and also notoriously bootlegged) album ''[[Extraordinary Machine]]''".<ref>{{cite news|last=Lindsey|first=Craig D.|date=February 25, 2013|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/02/25/bilals-new-a-love-surreal-was-inspired-by-salvador-dali/|title=Bilal's New A Love Surreal Was Inspired By Salvador Dali|newspaper=The Village Voice|access-date=July 20, 2020}}</ref>

Pop singer [[Carly Rae Jepsen]]'s post-"[[Call Me Maybe]]" career has been called a cult success, particularly her third studio album, ''[[Emotion (Carly Rae Jepsen album)|Emotion]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Behind the Enduring Cult Popularity of Carly Rae Jepsen|url=https://time.com/5591169/carly-rae-jepsen-dedicated/|access-date=2021-02-09|magazine=Time}}</ref>

Japanese dub and dream pop band [[Fishmans]] gained a dedicated online cult following after the death of frontman Shinji Sato via word-of-mouth spread on imageboard and music forum sites throughout the 2000s and 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fishmans Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fishmans-mn0002079024/biography |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-31 |title=The Strange World of Fishmans |url=https://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/records/2018/08/31/the-strange-world-of-fishmans/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=The Edge |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Advertising ==
Brands can also attain a cult following, sometimes due to prestige like [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] and [[Supreme (brand)|Supreme]], while others like [[Spam (food)|Spam]] do so for cultural reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/news/spam-went-from-hated-ration-cult-classic-0170268/|title=How Spam Went From Hated Ration to Cult Classic|date=June 2016 |access-date=2022-08-29|language=en}}</ref> There are also many cult car brands ranging from [[Trabant]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/trabant-the-east-german-car-remains-iconic/a-41251024|title=Trabant: The East German car remains iconic|website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=2022-08-29|language=en}}</ref> to [[Volvo]] and even specific models like the [[Fiat 500 (2007)|Fiat 500]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Classic Fiat 500 joins Lego's Creator Expert series {{!}} CarAdvice|url=https://www.caradvice.com.au/832038/fiat-500-lego/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=CarAdvice.com|language=en}}</ref> [[Ford Crown Victoria]] and [[Toyota AE86]] have all spawned dedicated followings within the car enthusiast community.

In September 2021, [[AMC Theatres]] began airing a [[Nicole Kidman AMC Theatres commercial|commercial]] starring actress Nicole Kidman in its theaters and on television. The commercial became a surprise hit among audiences, who came to appreciate the unintentional campiness of its earnestly rhapsodic style and script, particularly the line "Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this." It has inspired internet memes, parodies, and in-theatre audience participation rituals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-23 |title=How the Magic of Nicole Kidman's Beloved AMC Commercial Was Made |url=https://www.gq.com/story/nicole-kidman-amc-commercial-making-of |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of cult music artists]]
* [[Sleeper hit]]
* [[Underground music]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|ref=none|last2=Lathrop |first2=Tad |first1=Wayne |last1=Jancik |title=Cult Rockers: 150 of the most controversial, distinctive and intriguing, outrageous and championed rock musicians of all time |publisher=Pocket Books |year=1996}}

{{Fandom}}

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[[Category:Cult following| ]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Popular culture]]
[[Category:Underground culture]]

Cult following - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 17:50, 17 August 2023