20 Best Cult Movies Of The 1980s
2. RoboCop
One of the things which makes a movie enter the cult canon is its ability to predict the future and offer a timeless examination of deeper rooted aspects of society and culture. As well as being one of the most kick-ass action movies of all time, Paul Verhoeven's 1987 RoboCop is also a sharp and scathing satire of corporate greed and consumer culture.
RoboCop's satirical elements certainly haven't dated in the 21st century, and thankfully the same can be said for the action, which delivers a level of blood, guts and brutality which Hollywood rarely produces these days. It's commitment to excess is another key reason for its cult status - the 80s was a decade where action tended to veer towards X ratings, and Verhoeven knew exactly how to churn out the relentless gore.
The inevitable spin-offs spawned by RoboCop quickly faded into obscurity, but the original has continued to endure as a science fiction and action fan favourite. If anything stands as a literal symbol of its impact on cinema it's the RoboCop statue, which was unveiled in Detroit in 2018.