Atlanta , Georgia ( CNN ) -- A long line of people winds outside the door at The Plaza Theatre in Atlanta , but the near-sellout crowd is n't here for a new release . They are waiting to see `` The Room , '' a movie panned by critics when it was released in 2003 . The majority of the people in line have seen it before , and will see it again . A few are wearing costumes , and more have brought along new friends and boxes of plastic spoons . Everyone seems to have their own way of describing the film : `` It 's so much more than a movie , it 's a social experience , '' says Anna Spence before her 18th theater viewing . Kate Cella , a first-time viewer , was dragged to the movie by friends . `` I 've heard that it 's the worst best movie ever , or the best worst movie ever , and that I should bring plastic spoons to throw at people . '' Whether it 's the best worst or the worst best , audiences have discovered a new cult classic movie . The story of `` The Room '' started with its premiere in Los Angeles in 2003 . There was some buzz about the film , helped by a large billboard on a main drag in Hollywood . The director , producer and lead actor , all one man named Tommy Wiseau , arrived via limousine to a spotlight on a red carpet and signed autographs . The Hollywood treatment did n't last long . Some in the audience walked out of the showing . Critics were harsh , ripping every aspect of the film , from the overacting and confusing dialogue to the primitive cinematography . Actress Robyn Paris recalls , `` It was like trying not to laugh in church . '' It was n't supposed to be like this for Wiseau , who poured his life and money into this passion project . But a select group saw a hidden brilliance in the unintentional comedy . One college kid named Michael Rousselet sat and watched `` The Room '' alone in an empty theater and immediately called his friends to come to the next screening . More friends came to the next , and the next . The day after , 100 people were in the theater yelling out quotes along with the movie . After the disappointing initial two-week run in Los Angeles , fans persuaded Wiseau to continue screening the film once a month . `` It immediately struck a chord with the young , hip college crowd . They absolutely loved it . '' remembers Greg Sestero , who plays the character Mark in the film . `` I showed up at a small screening and there was n't enough room , people were sitting on the floor . These kids knew every line . '' The crowds grew , selling out theaters , and have continued since , once a month for the past seven years . Shortly thereafter showings popped up in cities across the United States , and then in the UK , Denmark , India , Germany and everywhere in between . The Sunset 5 Theater in Los Angeles now sells out all 5 cinemas the last Saturday of every month for screenings of the `` The Room . '' Inside the theater in Atlanta , as the lights dim , there is an energy . As the film 's title displays , the audience erupts into cheers and applause . Laughter continues throughout the entire 99 minute showing of this dark tale of infidelity . Rarely a moment passes when there is n't a level of audience interaction : quoting the film aloud in unison and answering the characters ' dialogue with clever jokes . The most common ritual in theaters everywhere is the plastic spoons . In the titular room , where most of the drama takes place , there are several framed photographs of the cutlery item , and every time one appears on screen , audiences yell `` spoons ! '' while throwing hundreds of them in the air . Director Wiseau is clearly the force behind this movie , with his hands on everything from writing the script to funding the production out of his own pocket . The heavily accented star also provides most of the humor in the highly quotable film , intentional or otherwise . He does n't mind , saying , `` If you can laugh at my project , I did well . I put a little happiness in your life and that 's good . '' While this is certainly a unique event , it 's not a completely new experience . `` The Rocky Horror Picture Show '' has been combining cinema with audience participation since the '70 's . Even Rousselet says he and his friends were intentionally attempting to make the experience like `` Rocky Horror . '' But Wiseau does n't see the comparison . `` You ca n't compare oranges to apple , or oranges to lemon . We 're dealing with relationships and betrayal . '' After seven years , it appears the aura of `` The Room '' is still growing . When cast member Kyle Vogt went to a screening , Bobcat Goldthwait came out of the audience and asked to take a picture with him . Wiseau has since made appearances on Adult Swim and Comedy Central . But the self-made star is not forgetting the movie that fans will forever remember him for . `` Next year we put 'The Room ' on 3-D , and I have great support . We will do 'The Room ' musical eventually . '' There is a lot of mystery about Wiseau , who wo n't answer questions about his heritage or where he got his money . Fans gather at Q and A sessions trying to get every bit of information so often that Sestero decided to publish a tell-all book about meeting Wiseau and the making of the film . Amid the confusion , there are plenty of fans who do n't need an explanation . `` I 'm not confused about 'The Room ' at all , I think it 's beautiful , '' says Johnny McGowan . `` The more that people allow 'The Room ' to be what it is ... I think the more enjoyment they 'll get . '' Johnny Padgett agrees , `` 'The Room ' is probably the greatest movie I 've seen in my lifetime . '' Wiseau says he is pleased with the way things have turned out , and he has few regrets . `` Everything turned out the way I wanted it . When you look at the content , I would n't do differently . If you look at technical , yes , maybe 20 % differently . ''
2003 box-office bomb ` The film was a box office flop in the United States and grossed only $22 million at the US Box Office. Tommy Wiseau was the director , producer and lead actor in the film . Film has regular screenings around the world .