
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the underdog film that truly resonated with me – Mike Judge’s “Idiocracy,” released back in September 2006. This masterpiece, unfortunately, faced an uphill battle right from the start. Major studio, 20th Century Fox, opted to keep it under wraps from critics and restricted its release to a mere seven cities, only gracing 130 theaters. Compared to typical feature film releases, this was a massive snub.
The box office earnings were a paltry $486,000 worldwide (on a budget of $2.4 million). However, in the almost two decades since its release, it’s transformed into a cultural icon for countless viewers, gaining a cult-like following. The internet community has also played a significant role in preserving its legacy, with an abundance of memes and GIFs that have become all too relevant in expressing contemporary sentiments. Despite the rocky start, “Idiocracy” has undeniably left a lasting impact on popular culture.