Speaking to Deadline, the actor reflected on how the home video boom transformed the fate of several projects that initially struggled to connect with audiences.
Kurt Russell Looks Back on the Movies That Found Success Years Later
Russell, who is currently attached to Taylor Sheridan’s hit series “The Madison,” said some of his most celebrated work was far from an instant success. “A lot of the movies that I did that became truly beloved or cult classics were just dead on arrival, or they didn’t do very well [at first],” he recalled. The actor added that the emergence of physical media dramatically altered the trajectory of his career.
“Had it not been for DVDs, my career would have been completely different,” Russell said. Looking back, he estimated that many of the films audiences now associate with him gained their reputation long after their theatrical runs ended. “I probably have 12 or 15 movies that are in the zeitgeist [and] people love, not from the release of the movie, but from finding it years later.”
Among the clearest examples is “The Thing,” Russell’s 1982 collaboration with director John Carpenter. Widely regarded today as one of the defining science fiction horror pictures ever made, it was met with a chilly reception upon release. Over time, however, home video and television broadcasts helped introduce new generations of viewers to Russell’s performance as R.J. MacReady, turning the film into a genre landmark.
A similar story played out with “Big Trouble in Little China.” The offbeat action fantasy struggled commercially in 1986 and left studios uncertain about how to market it. Years later, it became a favorite among VHS and DVD collectors, with audiences embracing its unusual humor, quotable dialogue, and unconventional take on the action hero formula.
Other titles that benefited from the second life offered by physical media include “Escape from New York,” “Used Cars,” “Captain Ron,” and “Stargate.” While their theatrical fortunes varied, each found a dedicated audience after arriving on video store shelves. For Russell, that shift changed the rules of Hollywood, allowing films that stumbled during opening weekend to build lasting reputations long after they left theaters.