10 Iconic Movies That Were Initially Critical Flops
1. Alien
So, nowadays the story about the deadly aliens on the spaceship is oft-mentioned as one of the greatest film you're likely to ever see. But in 1979? Not so much.
Critics were largely belittled the film: Dave Kehr called it 'empty-headed'; Roger Ebert and Leonard Maltin were originally both decidedly unimpressed before drastically changing their opinions in later years. It was often dismissed as being a mess and 'old-fashioned', and too much like many of the carbon copy 'B-Movie' science fiction films from the 1950s.
Most unthinkably of all, Sigourney Weaver's iconic performance as Ellen Ripley, now considered to be a breakthrough for women's roles in movies was largely overlooked entirely.
How times have changed as the film is now considered one of the greatest horror movies ever made, as well as a talismanic flag-bearer for the sci-fi/horror mashup. The strength of its brand in 2018, despite several flawed franchise chapters, speaks of its legend.