10 Horror Movies That Everyone Loves Now (But Hated Before)

The sands of time have been incredibly kind to these once-lambasted horror flicks.

Jennifer's Body
20th Century Fox

Sometimes, you need to take a step back and some time out to fully appreciate something.

This doesn't work all the time - that drawing your kid put on the fridge is never going to turn into a Picasso, no matter how hard you convince yourself - but some pieces of art do better with a fresh perspective.

Nowhere is this more true than in the medium of film. Countless movies we consider classics these days were utterly slated when they were first released.

Take these ten horror flicks, for example. If you read some of their contemporary reviews, then you'd be forgiven for gasping in shock. Some of the most respected film critics of their time were quick to dismiss these features, only to end up swallowing their words several years later.

Some opinions changed quickly, whilst others took decades to be reversed. No matter how long it took, these movies are all held in a much higher regard now than they were during their initial release period.

It just goes to show you shouldn't always trust someone's opinions, even if they write for a recognised publication... wait a second...

10. Anaconda

Jennifer's Body
Columbia

In 1997, Anaconda attempted to do for snakes what Jaws did for sharks.

Except, it ended up doing what Jaws IV did for cinema.

Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight among others, the story follows a documentary crew as they attempt to survive the jungles of the Amazon whilst being hunted by the enormous snake.

Whilst the film had plenty of action and a unique premise, critics were not best pleased with it at the time. The feature was scrutinised for having underdeveloped characters and a predictable plot, despite the time and effort that had clearly gone into securing the big names for the poster.

What was praised about the movie at the time has basically become the reason why people like it today. "Creature feature fans may enjoy its brazen silliness," said Rotten Tomatoes, and they were absolutely spot on.

The film is utterly ridiculous in the best way possible and has become a cult classic as a result. People know now not to expect anything great from Anaconda, and and it's amassed plenty of fans who enjoy it for what it is - a schlocky, campy mess.

Contributor
Contributor

Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.