Being a geek, I assume you remember the time you discovered Mystery Science Theater 3000. If you're one of the poor souls that doesn't know what it is, it's a show where characters mock old movies, and at times obscure movies. These films get a new lease on life – and the show, in my opinion, increased interest in cheesy old films.
Of course before that there was the Golden Turkey Awards, which awarded various bad films awards for their "achievements." This book is one I credit with giving Plan 9 From Outer Space more prominence, though it certainly called attention to other films.
Many films in the above media, and in similar media like Late Night Movies and the like, are films that are at best weird, and at most very bad. Many would be considered outright failures, yet because of their very flaws, they get a kind of new life.