'The dude abides': 20 years since 'The Big Lebowski' released

(RNN) - Get out your White Russians, dudes. It's been 20 years since the release of "The Big Lebowski."

The Coen brothers' cult classic, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Julianne Moore, was released March 6, 1998.

The zany flick set in Persian Gulf War-era Los Angeles followed the wild exploits of a slacker seeking restitution for a soiled rug after nihilists mistake him for a millionaire that shares his name. 

Yes, the plot seems a bit over the top, doesn't it?

Though the New York Times said it was considered a flop when it was released, it developed a devoted fanbase in the years following its release, inspiring Lebowski Fest, which tours major cities, and a bevy of cosplayers. 

If you are a serious fan, you can even join the Dudeists, which decribes itself as "the slowest growing religion in the world" but offers ordination for its priests.

The movie's popularity gave the White Russian, "the dude's" favorite drink, a bit of a comeback in the early 2000s, becoming a drink for hipsters, the New York Times reported.

If you want to be a Lebowski achiever, one way is to learn how to make a White Russian. Here's a quick White Russian recipe: two parts vodka, one part coffee liqueur (or Kahlua) and one part cream or milk. Add the liquor to an old-fashioned glass filled with ice, add the dairy and stir. 

People on Twitter toasted the movie and the impact it's had over the years, even quoting the movie's memorable lines.

One commentor even speculated on how "the dude" and Walter would be dealing with the modern age.

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