Dresses should be considered a vacation essential. Not only are they lightweight and easy to pack since they don’t take up much space, but they are also almost always super versatile. Accessories and shoes can turn them from laid-back and casual to dressed up enough for a special dinner, so you can easily get multiple wears out of them. Not convinced yet? Nordstrom just dropped some stylish dresses that will definitely change your mind.

Whether you’re heading to a tropical island to unwind and relax, playing tourist as you frolic through Europe or visiting family in a new spot, there’s a dress below that will work for you. They’re impossibly chic, plus they’re comfortable even when it’s hot and sunny out. The best part is that you’ll wear them again and again, long after the trip ends. Shop our favorite vacation dresses and be sure to add them to your Nordstrom cart before they sell out.

15 Chic Vacation Dresses for Summer 2026 at Nordstrom

1. Our Favorite: Made of 100% cotton, this bright maxi sundress is lightweight, breathable and so comfortable. You can dress this up or down, as it looks just as good with flat sandals as it does with a pair of heels.

2. Runner-Up: If you want a vacation dress that feels a little more special, this strappy maxi dress is it. The embroidered lace print throughout makes it look so much more expensive than it is, and the super-thin straps feel so slinky.

3. Sunset Vibes: This multi-colored floral midi dress was made to be worn during a beautiful sunset or a special night out. It’s even dressy enough to wear to a cocktail party if that’s part of your plans.

4. Poolside Pick: If you’re heading anywhere near a beach or pool, keep this breezy cover-up maxi dress in your suitcase. It has a luxe look that makes any swimsuit feel more elevated.

5. Tropical Locale: With pops of bright pink, orange and blue, this floral halter mini dress seems like it was made for a Caribbean destination. The linen blend also makes it ideal for steamy temps.

Related: These 17 Resort-Style Dresses Look Straight Out of a Beach Boutique

There’s something about a true resort-style dress that just hits differently. They’re easy to slip on, move with the breeze and somehow make even a quick iced coffee run feel like a beachside moment. We’re partial to floaty maxis, soft prints and silhouettes that don’t cling, tug or require a second thought. However, that easy, […]

Advertisement

6. Bold and Bright: If you’re looking to make a statement, this colorful maxi dress needs to be in your suitcase. With a rainbow of bright hues, cool zig zags and a high-neck halter top, it feels both fun and stylish.

7. Elevated Basic: You can’t go wrong with this airy tank dress, made of a linen blend that keeps it breezy and laid-back. This is simple, casual and perfect for everything from shopping to going out to dinner.

8. Versatile Find: The elastic waistband of this tiered maxi dress makes it extra flattering and comfortable. Details like a square neck and tiered skirt feel romantic, and you could easily dress this up or down.

9. Rich Mom Feel: This drop waist mini dress somehow feels both on trend and timeless. It’s the kind of luxe-looking find you might spot on an off-duty model, yet it costs just under $100, making it a steal you don’t want to miss.

10. Easy Breezy: With its loose fit and thin straps, this colorful maxi dress is the kind of clothing item you want to slip into after a long day spent at the beach. The palm tree and seashell print also manages to feel so chic and interesting.

11. Night Out: Pack this cotton midi dress for a fun night out dancing or getting drinks with friends. The backless look and bold red hue make it so much fun.

12. Comfy But Chic: You need at least one minimalist dress for every vacation, and this button-down midi dress can play that role perfectly. It’s so easy to throw on for just about anything, with a smocked bodice and relaxed fit that make it extra comfy.

13. Euro Summer: This striped midi dress is pretty enough to work in even the most chic locations. It’s stylish but simple, and the floral appliques keep it so much more interesting.

14. Paradise Found: Perfect for a beachside resort, this maxi dress features palm trees, flowers, suns and a wave-like design that will remind you of the ocean. Keep it close by for a special dinner.

15. Keep It Simple: With its relaxed fit, minimalist style and button-down design, this mini dress can work for so many different trips. It’s so easy to slip into and helps you create a whole look with almost no effort at all.

Most streaming services often rely on iconic franchises or breakout hits to maintain their success. In the case of Paramount+, it’s mostly been supported by two constants: Taylor Sheridan and Star Trek. Sheridan created a wealth of shows for Paramount+ following Yellowstone’s breakout success. At the same time, Alex Kurtzman and other creators delivered a variety of Trek shows that spanned nearly every era of the final frontier. Paramount+ is now facing a massive shift as Sheridan is set to depart for a lucrative deal at Universal, and the only remaining Star Trek series will be ending next year. A new spy thriller has proven itself to be the next big hit for Paramount+, thanks to a major shift of its own.

The series in question is The Agency, created by veteran screenwriters Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow). It stars Michael Fassbender as a CIA agent who’s pulled out of an undercover assignment, only for his life to be upended when his lover (Jodie Turner-Smith) follows him to London. Season 1 of The Agency was a moderate hit, sitting at 66% on Rotten Tomatoes; however, Season 2 shot up to a whopping 90%. What exactly is the reason for this major uptick in critical reception? The answer lies in The Agency shaking up its story and its schedule.

Season 2 of ‘The Agency’ Made a Massive Shift to Its Story

Image via Showtime/Paramount+

Throughout Season 1 of The Agency, most of the story was dedicated to Fassbender’s Martian struggling to acclimate to life in London, all the while dealing with the cost of a double life. It also featured a different release schedule, with the premiere consisting of two episodes, followed by one episode each at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Season 2 has radically shaken things up by dropping all 10 of its episodes on a single day. It also marks a significant shift in the story, as Martian ends up leaking information within the CIA while battling the mercenary code-named ‘Viking’ (Chayne Crawford). The bingeworthy storyline, packed with plenty of twists and turns, blends the paranoia of the Jason Bourne franchise with the high-octane action of the James Bond movies. It also secured The Agency a place on Paramount+’s Top 10 TV shows.

While The Agency Season 2 does end on a major cliffhanger, there’s one piece of evidence that it could be renewed for more seasons. The series is an adaptation of the French-language spy thriller The Bureau, which ran for five seasons. The Agency is even closely adapting some of The Bureau‘s plotlines, including the fact that the latter’s protagonist would end up playing the role of double agent in one season. It wouldn’t be the first time an American adaptation of an international series was successful, and with Paramount+ needing more hit series outside Taylor Sheridan and the Star Trek universe, it wouldn’t be surprising if The Agency is renewed for a third season.

One of ‘The Agency’s Creators Is Working on Another Hit Series for Paramount+

The success of The Agency might make Jez & John-Henry Butterworth the next big creative minds for Paramount+, especially since one of them has contributed to another of the streamer’s hit series. Jez Butterworth is also serving as the showrunner for MobLand, the Guy Ritchie-produced crime drama starring Tom Hardy as a fixer for a prominent crime family. While MobLand was hit with rumors that Hardy might depart the series after its upcoming second season, those rumors were quickly put to rest as Paramount representatives said that his return was being “creatively worked through.” Should MobLand return to the same level of critical acclaim as its debut season, it could secure a future renewal for The Agency.

In a time when spy thrillers are starting to become more common on TV, The Agency stands out thanks to its ability to adapt between seasons. A potential third season could keep up the momentum and cement the series as must-watch TV in the vein of Yellowstone.

Advertisement

Release Date

December 1, 2024

Advertisement

Network

Paramount+ with Showtime

Showrunner

Advertisement

Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth

Directors

Joe Wright, Zetna Fuentes, Neil Burger

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

You can take wonderful care of your hair, but damage can still sneak through, leaving your strands looking less striking than you’d like. Drew Barrymore understands the woes of damaged hair and has turned to a particular haircare brand to bring her ‘do back to life. Made with patented technology, the shampoo and conditioner is on sale now, so you can experience the benefits, too.

Barrymore documented her hair journey on Instagram. “I wanted to do something to feel more attractive to myself, and it totally backfired,” she shared in a post, noting her hair didn’t respond well to bleach. “Within three weeks, Olaplex saves me!” Barrymore said in another post. So, we’re thrilled that the Olaplex Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner is marked down for a limited time.

Get the Olaplex Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner for $45 (originally $61) at Walmart!

The No. 4 Shampoo is designed for medium-coarse hair, and it repairs common damage you might experience from harsh chemicals, heat and tight hairstyles. With just one wash, the shampoo strengthens, reinforces, nourishes and boosts shine, according to Olaplex. Follow it up with No. 5 Conditioner, which also focuses on damage, to nourish, ease detangling and smooth.

You don’t need to use a lot of each product to experience the benefits. Olaplex says the 250-milliliter bottles of shampoo and conditioner offer up to 100 and 50 applications, respectively. With the shampoo, just apply it to wet hair and lather well before rinsing it out. For the conditioner, let it do its thing for one to three minutes before rinsing it out. That’s all it takes!

Real-life shoppers agree that the formulas are super concentrated, so you only need a small amount to get an impressive lather.

“My hair used to be damaged from heat, and then, when l started using Olaplex, my hair got better. I recommend Olaplex for frizzy, damaged, and thin hair. It moistened my hair,” a verified buyer shared.

“My hair has gotten dry and [has begun] to break off easily. I decided to try Olalpex and am glad I did! My hair is smooth, soft and shiny with almost no breakage. I noticed the difference after one use!” one five-star reviewer wrote.

Whether it’s damage, frizz, dryness or something else, everyone’s hair could use a little pick-me-up. And if it happens to be Barrymore-approved? Well, that’s just a bonus!

Get the Olaplex Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner for $45 (originally $61) at Walmart!

Related: Drew Barrymore Swears This $28 Concealer Is Like a ‘Magic Eraser’

Drew Barrymore is refreshing her beauty routine for fall, and we’re taking notes! The talk show host and actress’ fall essentials include the Jones Road Beauty The Face Pencil, and if it makes our under-eye circles as invisible as Barrymore’s, we’re in for a real treat. “The Face Pencil is the makeup version of the […]

It’s been a few days since B2K and Pretty Ricky’s Verzuz, but fans still can’t stop recapping some of the show’s viral moments. One moment that’s still taking over the internet happened when Omarion asked Pleasure P, Spectacular, and Baby Blue were their fourth member, Slick ‘Em, was. The question had social media popping OFF, with plenty of fans assuming that Omarion was throwing shade. Now, he’s speaking up and setting the record straight to clear the air about what he really meant.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Users Are Weighing IN After Willie Said Day 26 Would Have “Smoked” Pretty Ricky & B2K In Verzuz (VIDEOS)

Omarion Asks For Slick ‘Em In The Middle OF Verzuz With Pretty Ricky

If you’ve been out of the loop, fans have been going IN on Omarion after he questioned where Slick ‘Em was right in the middle of Verzuz. A now-viral clip shows him coming at Pretty Ricky right before their song plays, and he says, “Where Slick ‘Em at?” The minute fans peeped what he said, plenty of folks started reacting online, saying his comment mean and a corny move.

Pleasure P hopped on a livestream after the Verzuz to shoutout Slick ‘Em and let folks know the group definitely wants him back. Rumors previously surfaced that Slick ‘Em was battling substance abuse and left the group to enter rehab. In 2024, Pleasure P addressed his whereabouts, saying he didn’t want to speak on his business but believe the industry played a role in his downfall.

Omarion Speaks Out Amid Backlash Over Comments At Verzuz

After LiveBitez dropped the clip of Omarion, he hopped straight into the comment section to clear the air. He said he stays to himself and focuses on his kids, and didn’t know Slick ‘Em was going through it, but still he wished him well.

“First of all I do not keep up with nobody but my kids. I did not know that slick em was having a tough time. I wish deep healing & recovery,” Omarion wrote.

Social Media Is Split After Omarion Addresses Backlash

Reactions kept rolling in after Omarion spoke out. Folks over in LiveBitez’s comment section were split — some said they didn’t know about Slick ‘Em’s situation either, while others doubled down and said Omarion knew what he was doing when he asked about him.

Instagram user @jlee_smalls wrote, “He was trying to be funny and it backfired.” 

Instagram user @kris_style215 wrote, “I was wondering where he was as well!! I had no ideas! Wow! 🙏🏾” 

While Instagram user @sweetcandyyamsss wrote, “Heck I didn’t know either. Ya’ll are so weird like y’all really give af. Lmao.” 

Then Instagram user @cam.org99 wrote, “Man y’all really need to chill he prolly didn’t know you can’t tell a person what their intentions are if there’s really no malice behind it 🤷🏾‍♂️💯” 

Another Instagram user @kashmirbc2 wrote, “Ngl I forgot he was in rehab too.” 

Instagram user @therealsusiecarmichael__ wrote, “Somebody said they should of asked him where Chris stokes at 😭🤣 IYKYK.” 

Then another Instagram user @ya_nasi wrote, “How he don’t know and they just came off tour 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 he was just mad they got washed.” 

While another Instagram user @lajan_neg wrote, “Nahh you lying bra, I know them boys told you what’s going on with bra because y’all on Tour together unless if they really ain’t tell you and just keep it a family business.” 

Finally, Instagram user @yella_yelliee wrote, “I mean I didn’t know either he said what he said tho.” 

RELATED: Spill It, Sis! Baby Blue’s Girlfriend Speaks Out After Fans Clock Her Ankle Monitor At Verzuz (PHOTOS + VIDEOS) 

Season 4 of Mad Men saw a makeover for the critically acclaimed AMC period drama. With a new office, new partners, and new employees, Don Draper’s (Jon Hamm) advertising kingdom underwent the same turbulence as the ongoing political and social movements of the 1960s. Inside the new quarters of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, the independent offshoot of Sterling Cooper, the rising star was undoubtedly Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss), who fully transformed from a timid secretary to a creative visionary in the copy division. Peggy also became Don’s ultimate foil, and the pair’s dynamic relationship, the heart of Mad Men in its later seasons, culminated in Season 4, Episode 7, “The Suitcase,” widely regarded as the show’s high point.

‘Mad Men’s Most Iconic Line Is Delivered in Its Best Episode

Showrunner Matthew Weiner turned business negotiations and advertising jargon into a work of theater, and the novelistic characterization and narrative depth perfectly complemented the rich dialogue. The writing could be witty, biting, flowery, and dark in any scene. As a chamber drama across six seasons of exceptional television, Mad Men thrived on intelligent and nuanced characters using words to wage war on morals, values, and ethics. This creative approach peaked in “The Suitcase,” the series’ cherished entry in the canon of bottle episodes, a subgenre of TV episodes set primarily in one confined location with minimal primary characters.

In “The Suitcase,” Mad Men‘s exact halfway mark, which aired on September 5, 2010, while most of the office is off to see the second match between famous boxing rivals Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, Don and Peggy stay behind to finish an ad campaign for suitcase manufacturer Samsonite. Throughout the night, as Peggy abandons her dinner plans with her boyfriend and family, the creative director and copywriter undergo a grueling workshopping and drafting session. These overworked ad executives find themselves fighting, revealing touchy secrets about their pasts, and ultimately connecting on a more personal and deep level than we’d previously seen.

‘Mad Men’s Signature Line Has a Lot To Say About the Series Itself

During their most heated exchange, Peggy reprimands Don for failing to give her proper credit for an award-winning ad campaign for Glo-Coat. Feeling generally taken for granted and unappreciated for her hard work, Peggy learns the sobering truth about corporate America and Don Draper’s mindset when her boss shouts, “That’s what the money is for!” It’s a line that sends shivers down Peggy’s spine, and the impact of this poignant remark still lingers today, as this moment has endured as both a meme and a talking point when dissecting the greater thesis of Mad Men. This line, delivered with stirring conviction by Jon Hamm and received with stunning awe by Elisabeth Moss, is equally pointed in its direct meaning and abstract enough to be analyzed for eternity.

Throughout Mad Men, Don and Peggy represented the apex of character foils in the Peak TV era. In “The Suitcase,” viewers witnessed the clash between Don’s cynicism and suppressed emotionality and Peggy’s idyllic relationship to her work. Don, as is the entire apparatus of capitalism, is not interested in the compliment business. In his worldview, money unquestionably buys happiness. We’ve watched Don’s soul corrode over the previous three seasons, with his personal life and self-satisfaction crumbling even as he continues to thrive as a creative visionary. “That’s what the money is for!” more or less confirms that Don treats his professional life as a soulless endeavor, and as long as the biweekly checks keep clearing, everyone should feel content in this capitalist society. The employees of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce sell happiness, but they’re incapable of indulging in it themselves.

Mad Men‘s most important line is also a depressing indictment of Don’s transactional approach to human relations. As he operates at a reticent tenor, he longs for a better life, one akin to the quaint, rural landscape of his time as Richard Whitman. Peggy, who has brilliantly climbed up the corporate ladder and proved herself as a gifted voice in the marketing field, expects to be embraced at a fundamental human level. To some extent, she wants to be viewed as an equal to Don, but his scathing critique of her plea for gratitude indicates that they will never be companions.

“The Suitcase” served as a crucial inflection point for Mad Men and its two marquee characters, as each began feeling more disillusioned about the American Dream and hope for emotional fulfillment from their profession. However, it also brought Don and Peggy closer together, and the show’s back half saw them connecting to a profound degree. Above all else, the episode proved that long hours at work can do a lot to your psyche.

Jonathan Majors has signed on for a controversial Hollywood comeback vehicle, partnering with conservative media company The Daily Wire for the action thriller, “Run Hide Fight: Infidels.”

Fans have taken to social media to slam what some are calling a highly provocative film.

The movie comes years after the actor’s court battle with his ex, Grace Jabbari, which ended with him being found guilty of assault and harassment.

Jonathan Majors is set to return to screens in a major role in the new movie “Run Hide Fight: Infidels,” produced by Ben Shapiro’s media company, The Daily Wire.

The film follows a plot in which “radical Islamic terrorists” attempt to infiltrate and impose Sharia law on an ultra-progressive, “woke” American college campus.

In the trailer released this week, images from real-life terror attacks flash on screen, including those from 9/11. They are followed by a mashup of footage that includes the 2024 nationwide college protests over the war in Gaza, a Fox News host reporting on terror plots, and a clip of Marco Rubio telling the network, “Radical Islam has designs openly on the West.”

Other Islamic elements also appear on screen, including footage of an ISIS flag as the call to prayer is heard.

Daily Wire Film Drew Heat Before Trailer Release

Although Majors does not appear in the trailer, he is set to play the lead protagonist, a Delta Force military veteran who becomes the campus’s unlikely savior.

A synopsis for the film reads, “When radical Islamic terrorists hijack a liberal college’s pro-Palestine encampment to enforce barbaric Sharia law on students and execute infidels in a makeshift caliphate, a ragtag band of red-blooded students, a security guard tired of ‘Uncle Tom’ smears, and a Delta Force vet must arm up to save their clueless peers and keep America from surrendering to the enemy on its own soil.”

The project had already sparked controversy in April when Majors and his co-star, JC Kilcoyne, were seen falling through a window in a clip that trended online.

Film’s Crew Staged Walkout After On-Set Incident

In the clip, published by Deadline, the pair moved backward as Majors’ character appeared to have been shot before they fell through a set of blinds.

The audio captured people on set exclaiming, “Ooh!” as crew members rushed to the window to ask if they were both okay.

“I’m good, you good,” one person said, to which another responded, “I’m good.”

One voice could be heard asking, “Did we shoot it?”

A crew member later warned, “Be careful of the glass, guys.”

According to the outlet, the incident prompted a crew walk-off and union picketing by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

In a fiery statement addressing the labor dispute, producer Dallas Sonnier dismissed the union’s interference, telling Entertainment Weekly that “The actors’ fall was shorter than the failed movie careers of the now-union reps.”

Fans Rip Jonathan Majors’ Comeback Film

Several internet users took to social media to share mixed to critical reactions to the film’s trailer.

“Seriously, one of the biggest career downfalls in years,” a Reddit user wrote. “Was a huge villain of the biggest franchise, was shaping up to be a big deal in Hollywood, and now he’s doing movies like this.”

Another person said, “Grifting to the right after being outed as a wife-beater? Shocking! Conservatives’ complete lack of standards makes them the only place these abusers can find refuge after being outed (party of family values btw).”

“He is either extremely desperate for work or is extremely out of touch with reality,” a third person penned, while someone else added, “This isn’t wise at all. I understand him needing a check. But Ben Shapiro? He’s a sinking ship.”

How Jonathan Majors’ Hollywood Rise Stalled After Conviction

The project marks Majors’ first major film role since his career ground to a halt following his conviction for assault and harassment of his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.

At the time, she alleged she was a victim of battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution, and defamation.

Court documents also showed that she claimed he subjected her to a “pattern of pervasive domestic abuse that began in 2021 and extended through 2023.”

Majors was found guilty of one count of assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in the second degree in December 2023.

Although he did not go to jail, he was ordered to complete a 52-week in-person batterer’s intervention program and continue mental health therapy. Before his legal troubles, Majors was on a rapid rise in Hollywood, anchored by his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a role he was immediately fired from after his conviction.

The definition of a cult film is by no means clear-cut or defined by any sort of strict meaning. Virtually any kind of movie can garner a following passionate and obsessive enough to qualify as a cult following, but there’s one genre that lends itself particularly well to gaining cult followings, and that’s comedies. After all, few things attract a fanbase better than pure, unadulterated laughter.

This isn’t necessarily a list of the best comedy cult classic films, however, but rather a list of the most important, the ones that have defined and influenced the cult cinema movement the most throughout the years. Whether it’s a little-known international gem like The Gods Must Be Crazy or a Hollywood classic so huge that it’s almost mainstream, like The Big Lebowski, all of these comedies should be considered essential viewing for all those interested in better understanding cult cinema.

10

‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’ (1980)

Image via 20th Century Studios

One of cult cinema’s most defining qualities is the obsession with niche films that not just any Average Joe is familiar with, and as a result, many international comedies that would have otherwise flown under the radar have acquired cult followings over the years. Case in point: the South African-Batswana co-production The Gods Must Be Crazy, the first in the film series of the same title.

This film is proof that films that actually performed remarkably well with critics and at the box office can still qualify as cult classics. Indeed, The Gods Must Be Crazy became a surprise word-of-mouth sensation across Africa, Europe, and North America during its theatrical run. It’s one of the most notorious must-watch cult classics from the ’80s, all thanks to its brilliantly-executed slapstick and its sharp satire of modern civilization.

9

‘Withnail and I’ (1987)

Image via HandMade Films

Advertisement

Withnail and I is yet another of the most essential cult classics of the ’80s, as well as one of the best British comedies of its era. Bruce Robinson‘s masterpiece has made Paul McGann and Richard E. Grant internationally recognized names over the years, even though it was only a modest commercial success when it originally released.

It was thanks to the rise of VHS that Withnail and I became a pop-culture phenomenon during the ’90s, contributing to keeping the late-night cult film circuit alive during a decade when it lay mostly dormant. Further boosted by the endorsement of the British magazine Loaded and the famous drinking game that it spawn off (which fans still love playing today), as well as the script’s tremendous quotability, it’s no wonder why this became one of the ’80s’ biggest cult comedies.

8

‘Harold and Maude’ (1971)

Image via Cover Images

Advertisement

Rom-coms about May-December couples aren’t exactly abundant, but whenever they do get made, they almost always owe something to the May-December rom-com’s most defining pioneer, Hal Ashby‘s Harold and Maude. It’s one of the most universally beloved cult classics ever, the perfect “odd couple” pitch-black comedy that pairs a death-obsessed young man with a free-spirited older counterpart.

After its terrible box office performance, Harold and Maude grew its following through late-night television and screenings at college campuses and repertory theaters. This taboo-shattering rom-com broke all the rules of traditional romantic Hollywood cinema, full of subversive humor and armed with a ton of life-affirming heart to really send its message home.

7

‘Superbad’ (2007)

Image via Colombia Pictures

Advertisement

The cult film movement has been thriving throughout the 21st century, and comedy cult cinema is no exception. But Greg Mottola‘s Superbad is far more than just one of the biggest cult comedies of the 21st century: It’s one of the funniest movies of the past 50 years, a true teen comedy masterpiece that’s among the most quotable films of modern times.

Almost immediately after its release, the film established itself as a modern teen cult classic through its tremendous quotability and generational staying power. But balanced with that iconicity and that raunchy, crude humor is a surprising amount of heart and an unexpected sincerity that makes it a cinematic love letter to male friendship. It doesn’t get much more perfect for a cult reception than that.

6

‘Pink Flamingos’ (1972)

Image via New Line Cinema

Advertisement

Few auteurs have ever been more important or revolutionary for the cult cinema movement than John Waters. Subverting mainstream taboos, championing countercultural outcasts, and pioneering the midnight movie phenomenon, Waters earned himself the moniker of the Pope of Trash throughout the early days of his career. But all the greats have to start somewhere, and in Waters’ case, the movie that put him on the map was Pink Flamingos.

It’s far and away one of the most tasteless movies of all time, but very intentionally so. It’s the ultimate cinematic rebellion, cinema’s quintessential celebration of bad taste, and an extravaganza built entirely on camp, anarchy, and queer liberation. The film became an underground sensation pretty much immediately following its premiere at the Baltimore Film Festival in 1972, turning it into one of the original champions of the midnight screening circuit.

5

‘Clerks’ (1994)

Image via Miramax

The ’90s were a particularly good time for independent cinema throughout the entire world, but Hollywood in particular saw a real boom in low-budget filmmaking like Clerks. Directed by Kevin Smith when he was only 22 years old, the movie was shot on a micro-budget of less than $50 million dollars, turning it into the kind of underdog filmmaking success story that the ’90s had so many of.

The film’s instant connection with the apathetic, pop-culture-obsessed spirit of Gen X during the ’90s made it a cult hit almost immediately following its theatrical release, though it was the VHS market that really turned it into a pop culture sensation. Built on endlessly quotable dialogue and a relatable understanding of the monotony of dead-end retail jobs, it’s a film that still feels universally timely all these many years later.

4

‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984)

Image via Embassy Pictures

It’s not often that filmmakers completely re-invent a genre with their debut feature, but that was just the kind of immense talent that Rob Reiner was. This Is Spinal Tap wasn’t the first mockumentary in film history, but it sure made the genre mainstream and set a set of brand-new rules for it. Until this day, you’d still be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t consider it one of the best satire movies of the last 75 years.

Though the movie was a critical success upon release, its box office gross were rather modest, largely because many viewers mistakenly thought that the fictional titular band was a real group and were thus uninterested. It was in the VHS market that Spinal Tap began to find its cult following—and what a loyal following it has remained through the decades. Satirizing and parodying the music industry and rockumentaries in ways that still feel clever and fresh, it became a word-of-mouth sensation that completely re-defined modern comedy. The entire mockumentary genre would simply not be the same without it.

3

‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)

Image via 20th Century Studios

The midnight film circuit is one of the most important pillars of the cult cinema movement, and there is no midnight cult classic more important, iconic, or enduring than The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s one of the best horror masterpieces of the ’70s, a musical comedy extravaganza fueled by pure camp, queer sensuality, and taboo-breaking humor.

The film was both a critical and commercial flop when it came out, but just one year after its release, the Waverly Theater in New York City started running midnight screenings of it. This way, what had once been a failure became the defining work of participatory cult cinema, transforming the movement into an immersive, interactive social ritual. To this day, watching a midnight screening of Rocky Horror in a packed theater should be on every cinephile’s bucket list.

2

‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)

Image via EMI Films

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the most admirable works of low-budget fantasy filmmaking in history, a film that takes full advantage of its shoestring budget and uses it as a way to elevate, not limit, its humor. It’s one of the most genre-defining comedy movies in history, and further proof that huge commercial and critical successes can also be considered cult classics.

The film grew its cult following through late-night television broadcasts, college campus screenings, and the booming VHS market—and big-screen comedy has never been the same since. Absurdist comedy, quotable dialogue, smart satire, and creative workaraounds around budget limitations are always big factors that contribute to a film becoming a cult classic, and they certainly turned this into one of the most iconic comedy masterpieces in movie history.

1

‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)

Image via Working Title Films

There are plenty of box office bombs that are now considered masterpieces, but as far as comedies go, none are more notorious than the Coen brothers‘ The Big Lebowski. Despite its initial cold reception, the film found new life in the VHS and DVD market in the years following its release. With the launch of Lebowski Fest in Louisville, Kentucky in 2002, the deal was sealed: The world was in the face of the biggest cult classic in the history of comedy cinema.

What, if not the biggest cult comedy in history, could spawn the emergence of an actual religion and life philosophy? Indeed, the mere existence of Dudeism should be proof enough that few cult classics have ever reached the level of iconicity of The Big Lebowski. The movie has become so beloved and so widely celebrated that today, it’s nothing short of a mainstream classic. Quotable, funny, weird in all the right ways, and fueled by an anti-establishment ethos that virtually every cult cinema fan should be able to vibe with, it’s a testament to the cultural power of the cult cinema movement.

Advertisement

The Big Lebowski

Advertisement

Release Date

March 6, 1998

Runtime

117 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Joel Coen

Advertisement

Writers

Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement