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The secret to cult-movie success, revealed

A new video from Screen Junkies explores how the hottest cult films rise from obscurity into the mainstream, and what the others are missing.

Anthony Domanico
CNET freelancer Anthony Domanico is passionate about all kinds of gadgets and apps. When not making words for the Internet, he can be found watching Star Wars or "Doctor Who" for like the zillionth time. His other car is a Tardis.
Anthony Domanico

On the heels of a new trailer for the "="" movie"="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="2b768a25-8cca-40b4-aeca-195320be95cf" slug="sharknado-2-trailer-bites-off-as-much-as-it-can-chew" link-text="second " section="news" title="'Sharknado 2' trailer bites off as much as it can chew" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"2b768a25-8cca-40b4-aeca-195320be95cf","slug":"sharknado-2-trailer-bites-off-as-much-as-it-can-chew","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"culture"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Culture","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}"> , the folks at Screen Junkies on Thursday released a video exploring what makes for a good cult movie.

The panel discussing this topic consisted of Screen Junkies host Hal Rudnick; comedic actor and writer Colton Dunn; and LA Weekly's chief film critic, Amy Nicholson. In the video, the trio discuss the formula for what makes good cult movies good, what bad cult movies are missing, and why movies that try too hard to be hit cult movies often miss the boat (looking at you, "Snakes on a Plane").

They also discuss some of their favorite cult movies of all time, and why at least one panel member completely objects to films like "Sharknado." And they pull no punches for The Asylum, the film studio that produces low-budget, direct-to-video titles like "Snakes on a Train" and "Atlantic Rim" that capitalize on the success of popular movies.

Check out the video at the top of this post, then let us know what your favorite cult movie is in the comments below. I'm partial to "Blue Velvet," myself.