10 Terrible Movies That Inspired Their Own Cult Followings

3. Zardoz

After Deliverance was released to great critical and financial success, director John Boorman was allowed to work on more or less any project he chose. Why, then, he chose the inimitably bizarre sci-fi/fantasy film Zardoz to develop is beyond the comprehension of most. Sean Connery's second post-Bond feature (and surprisingly not his last) sees him as a Brutal Executioner, meant to keep the Brutal slaves in line so that the Eternals can live forever and have an easy life. They're all kept in check by a flying stone head called Zardoz, which dispenses weapons to the executioners. Connery's character, Zed, is tasked with returning the Eternals to a state of death and freeing the Brutals for some reason. He's also tasked with wearing the most impractical and uncomfortable costume in cinema history, which he does with aplomb. The film was praised for some of its ingenuity and special effects, but is generally derided as too self-indulgent for its own good, although there are rare dissenting voices that claim Zardoz is a masterpiece. It developed a large cult following after being released on the home video market and never fails to spark lively conversation whenever it's mentioned.