5 Weird Movies That Achieved Pop Culture Success
An up-close shot of an E.T. statue in all of its weird glory.
Over the years and through the long winding road of film history, there have been many weird movies. From niche sci-fi horror cult classics to just plain unsettling, you’ll find at least a few odd feature films in just about any year since the advent of film.
While the fact that these exist or are made isn’t altogether that amazing, the fact that some cut through the noise to achieve mainstream success is. Take note — this is far from a comprehensive roundup of all weird films ever created. However, we’re still scratching our heads to figure out how these bizarre flicks were able to find mainstream acclaim.
Without further ado, here are 5 weird movies that achieved pop culture success.
1. Barbie
That’s right, we’re starting with a relatively recent heavy hitter that was nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. 2023’s Barbie saw outrageously good attendance and an omnipresent marketing campaign that stretched from watches to luggage.
But, looking back at the film itself, it is inherently weird. Not just the fact that there’s a kooky character named Weird Barbie, but the whole plot and the fact this very run-of-the-mill reference was turned on its head. Barbie has an existential crisis and her perception of her seemingly idyllic realm changes. If you’re wondering when Barbie starts acting weird, it’s right around this epiphany in the movie.
Despite these idiosyncrasies, this weird movie found a massive wave of success that we believe was very much deserved. Greta Gerwig, we salute you.
2. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
The Daniels, the powerhouse directing duo consisting of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, absolutely found their groove with 2022’s exceedingly awesome Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Beyond the powerhouse performances from Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and everyone else involved, the plot just hit.
But, let’s get something straight, it was definitely a weird movie. But where weird can sometimes be another word for hokey, that’s far from the case for this film. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once turns conventions on their head and reaches for new narrative heights. And though this movie was filmed on a relatively low budget compared to other blockbusters, it absolutely destroyed in the box office.
So, yeah, this mind-bending melodramatic sci-fi adventure definitely deserves a renowned spot on this list.
3. E.T. the Extraterrestrial
We’re taking it back with this one to 1982’s highest-grossing film of the year — which was the highest-grossing film ever at the time — Steven Spielberg’s unforgettable classic E.T. the Extraterrestrial. If you’re alive, even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve definitely experienced references to this monumental classic.
But just take a look at the title character, and you’ll be hard-pressed to think that he doesn’t look odd for a literal poster child of mainstream success. Alas, the movie tugged on all the right heartstrings and hit all the right notes of odd to make it a favorite of children and adults alike.
If you’re there listening E.T., phone home anytime.
4. Shrek
Ah, beloved Shrek. Bearing superb performances from Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, all of the magic associated with classical fairytales, and a heaping amount of oddity. This weird movie classic takes run-of-the-mill fairytales and zhooshes it up with some fun absurdity.
The protagonist, as we all know, is an ogre with a Scottish accent who will go on a quest with his sidekick who happens to be an anthropomorphic donkey. And, said anthropomorphic donkey will eventually sire donkey-dragon hybrid spawn. Need we say more?
Despite its weirdness, it was and will always be a beloved hit. God bless, Shrek and it’s infinite idiosyncrasies.
5. The Hunger Games
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, the first movie in The Hunger Games movie is, without a doubt, weird. What’s odd is it doesn’t really feel that way at first. But, when you realize this is a movie directed at tweens about teenagers fighting to the death in a dystopian society’s annual televised battle royale-style spectacle, it’s definitely bizarre.
From the odd costumes of the Capital folk to the unsettling feeling that arises from watching people act so casually about such a sinister spectacle, this blockbuster — which made almost 700 mil in the box office — is most definitely a weird movie.
But, as you might have guessed, we have an affinity for weird. Please keep pumping out spectacular books Suzanne Collins.
