20. The Iron Giant (1999)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (204,968 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (142 reviews)
> Worldwide box office, adj. for inflation: $56.7 million (6.2 million tickets)
> Est. production budget, adj. for inflation: $90.5 million
Brad Bird’s animated adventure spent years in development before arriving on the big screen to lackluster ticket sales. It tells the story of a young boy and his giant alien robot friend, who must flee from government authorities. Home video rentals and subsequent television airings have helped turn it into a cult classic.
19. Ed Wood (1994)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (107,299 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (65 reviews)
> Worldwide box office, adj. for inflation: $13.1 million (1.4 million tickets)
> Est. production budget, adj. for inflation: $40.4 million
In the wake of a dismal box office performance, Tim Burton’s biopic about cult icon Ed Wood took on a cult life of its own. Johnny Depp plays the eccentric title character, who refuses to let a lack of talent get in the way of his Hollywood dreams. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Martin Landau.
18. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (189,369 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (181 reviews)
> Worldwide box office, adj. for inflation: $33.7 million (3.7 million tickets)
> Est. production budget, adj. for inflation: $24.3 million
Arthouse legend David Lynch expanded upon a rejected TV pilot to create one of the greatest films of the 21st century, if not all time. It reimagines Los Angeles as a literal city of dreams, plunging two women into the heart of a surreal mystery. New generations of filmgoers and older ones alike are still trying to uncover its many secrets.
17. Tremors (1990)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 75% (240,282 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86% (44 reviews)
> Worldwide box office, adj. for inflation: $36.2 million (3.9 million tickets)
> Est. production budget, adj. for inflation: $21.7 million
This horror comedy opened to largely positive reviews but underwhelming box office numbers, becoming a smash hit on the home rental market. It has since spawned a mini-franchise, which includes direct-to-video sequels and a short-lived TV series.
16. Almost Famous (2000)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (325,177 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (174 reviews)
> Worldwide box office, adj. for inflation: $80.5 million (8.8 million tickets)
> Est. production budget, adj. for inflation: $102 million
Cameron Crowe followed his blockbuster “Jerry Maguire” with this semi-autobiographical dramedy. It takes place in the 1970s and puts a teenage journalist (Billy Crudup) on the road with an emerging rock band. Despite critical acclaim and an Academy Award, the film didn’t catch on with audiences until after it left theaters.
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