25 Cult Movies You Must See Before You Die
11. The Big Lebowski
It's difficult to gauge what level of fame and popularity the Coen Brothers work on. Films like Inside Llewyn Davis and True Grit earn Oscar nominations, but their movies are never quite blockbuster hits in the way some of their contemporaries' are. They have a dedicated cult following, however, and one film in particular has a fervent and vocal fanbase.
The Big Lebowski has even gone so far as to inspire festivals (held in bowling alleys, naturally) and a somewhat tongue-in-cheek religion that celebrates The Dude's Buddha-esque demeanour. A shaggy dog story inspired by classic gumshoe detective novels, Jeff Bridges stars as the stoned hippie dragged into a kidnapping plot.
A kidnapping plot that involves a deranged billionaire, a missing toe, an expressionistic artist played by Julianne Moore, and John Goodman as hot-tempered war vet Walter. It's a ridiculous, silly, genius rollercoaster ride with a conspiracy that's not supposed to make sense, a great Bridges lead performance and a trio of criminal German nihilists.