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Iconic Films That Went From Box Office Bombs to Timeless Classics

Iconic Films That Went From Box Office Bombs to Timeless Classics

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Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution

25. Blade Runner (1982)

Source: Courtesy of The Ladd Company

24. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

23. The Wild Bunch (1969)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros./Seven Arts

22. Brazil (1985)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

21. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

20. The Iron Giant (1999)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

19. Ed Wood (1994)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

18. Mulholland Drive (Original Title was Mulholland Dr.) (2001)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

17. Tremors (1990)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

16. Almost Famous (2000)

Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution

15. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate

14. True Romance (1993)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

13. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

12. Gattaca (1997)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

11. Serenity (2005)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

10. Dazed and Confused (1993)

Source: Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures (I)

9. Children of Men (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

8. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

7. Office Space (1999)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

6. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Source: Courtesy of Artisan Entertainment

5. American History X (1998)

Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema

4. Fight Club (1999)

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation

2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

1. Donnie Darko (2001)

Source: Courtesy of Arrow Films

25. Blade Runner (1982)
24. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
23. The Wild Bunch (1969)
22. Brazil (1985)
21. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
20. The Iron Giant (1999)
19. Ed Wood (1994)
18. Mulholland Drive (Original Title was Mulholland Dr.) (2001)
17. Tremors (1990)
16. Almost Famous (2000)
15. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
14. True Romance (1993)
13. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)
12. Gattaca (1997)
11. Serenity (2005)
10. Dazed and Confused (1993)
9. Children of Men (2006)
8. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
7. Office Space (1999)
6. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
5. American History X (1998)
4. Fight Club (1999)
3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
1. Donnie Darko (2001)

When a film is first released in theaters, film distributors often have several strategies that range from a wide release, or a limited release to the timing of when it hits theaters, spring versus fall versus winter. All of these factors, and more, play a significant role in the success of a film. Movies released on a weekend that has other popular events, like the Super Bowl or even Thanksgiving, are known to have lackluster sales.

Even when a movie adheres to every major strategy, and should be headed toward box office gold, it doesn't always see success.Many films, and even remakes of popular films, often open to lackluster performances. It may be a result of the acting or older themes that don't vibe with today's climate, or even because viewers want to see more original scripts, but whatever the case, these films didn't translate to strong ticket sales. But like many iconic films listed here, they could have a revival, becoming hits years after their release.

Using an index based on audience and critic scores from Rotten Tomatoes and ticket sales figures from The Numbers, 24/7 Tempo has assembled a list of iconic films that went from box office bombs to timeless classics. These movies bombed at the box office when they were first released, and have since gone on to enjoy an almost cult classic status. (For a list of movies whose fortunes didn't revive,here are Hollywood's biggest movie flops of all time).

Here are iconic films that went from box office bombs to timeless classics:

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