Shout Factory prides themselves on being a place for cult classics. If there’s a movie that might not have gotten a lot of love at first, a movie that is so bad it’s good, or a movie that has achieved cult status, it’s probably gotten some love from Shout Factory. In the same way that the Criterion Collection provides a home for well-loved films, Shout Factory provides a home for films that didn’t get a lot of love but definitely deserve our respect and admiration. They have an extensive collection of updated and restored Blu-ray releases, complete with interesting bonus features and creative covers. Some are a step above the rest and belong on your shelf sooner rather than later.
Wild at Heart
While Twin Peaks was in the process of being filmed, David Lynch was busy with another project: 1990’s Wild at Heart. Starting Laura Dern and Nicolas Cage as equally passionate and equally strange drifters, the film follows the pair as they travel across the south, meeting plenty of oddballs along the way. The movie didn’t get a lot of appreciation at first, and it never got a Blu-ray release until Shout Factory was kind enough to release one in August of 2018.
Purchase now on Amazon for $16.96.
The ‘Burbs
Carrie Fisher, Tom Hanks, Corey Feldman, and Bruce Dern come together to form one of the funniest neighborhoods in all of 80s cinema for Joe Dante’s The ‘Burbs. Hanks and his fellow neighbors investigate a new family on the block and grow increasingly suspicious of their strange behavior, all the while trying to avoid getting caught. Dante’s style is one-of-a-kind, and Shout Factory’s release makes it all the more enjoyable to watch.
Purchase now on Amazon for $21.99.
C.H.U.D.
When Douglas Cheek directed his first (and only) film C.H.U.D., it can be certain he had no idea of the cult status it would eventually attain. The movie tells the story of a group of C.H.U.D.s, or Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers, in New York City and the men who try to put a stop to their mayhem — needless to say, it’s a hilarious movie (whether Cheek intended it to be or not). It was universally panned, but Shout Factory recognized its cult status and gave it a wonderful home release.
Purchase now on Amazon for $6.99.
Fargo
The Coen Brothers’ Fargo is one of their very best, so it’s surprising (but welcome) that Shout Factory got to it before the Criterion Collection did. Still, as long as it’s getting the love it deserves. All the classic Coen Brothers elements are there: small, northern town, dumb (but well-intentioned) criminals, normal people doing bad things, and, of course, revenge. Shout Factory gave the film a special steelbook release to celebrate the anniversary of its release, and it’s a must-own.
Purchase now on Amazon for $16.96.
They Live!
John Carpenter is praised for his horror flicks like The Thing and Halloween, but many of his lesser films end up getting the short end of the stick for this reason. His biting satire of consumerism They Live! is one such example. It’s got everything a cult classic needs, and it’s truly a spectacular piece of B-movie gold.
Purchase now on Amazon for $19.99.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
