A few horror films of the 2000s deserve a second look after receiving mixed to negative reviews upon their initial release. The 2000s produced some memorable horror heroes and horror sequels, but a few films took a little longer to find their audience. Like movies Cloverfield And drag me to hell A widely talked about entry from the 2000s that only continues to grow in popularity, like the movie Thirteen Ghosts And hole It took a long time to gain respect.
In a genre with rich, innovative storytelling and special effects, it’s only understandable that certain films were widely dismissed when they first hit theaters. A few films have gained massive cult followingswhile others are on their way to achieving the same status. With enough time having passed since its initial release, there is something to enjoy in each of these horror films that were initially labeled as failures.
10 The Wicker Man (2006)
Directed by Neil LaBute
For many, it’s 2006 The Wicker Man Remains inferior to the original from 1973 directed by Robin Hardy. Still, the Nicolas Cage remake has qualities worth returning to. like original The Wicker Man The remake follows the journey of a police officer on an island where unexpected sinister behavior occurs among the inhabitants. The obvious problem with The Wicker Man There was a minimum amount of fear Embraced by seemingly unintentional humor.
According to Cage in a 2022 interview IndiewireThis was intentional as both he and the film’s writers and directors were aware The Wicker ManThe absurdity of this has not been done in any major retrospective The Wicker Man Since it has become a laughingstock online through the use of memes. Regardless of whether the film’s humor was truly intentional, Cage says, it’s an entertaining piece The Wicker Man That makes for a fun recap.
9 Pandorum (2009)
Directed by Christian Alvert
Pandorum Stars Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster as two astronauts who wake up in a hyper sleep chamber only to discover they are on a ship with cannibalistic mutants. The film’s title comes from a term used to describe the effects of being outside of deep space, such as paranoia and delirium. PandorumIts main downfall was its derivative plot, according to critics. There are numerous sci-fi horror films inspired by classics in the horror genre, but there must be enough originality to appeal to audiences.
unfortunately, Pandorum Lacks the originality required to be a hit. Seen as a bad rip off the alien, Pandorum Still won some praise for set design and interesting characters. The psychological aspects of the film are enough to warrant a revisit, as sci-fi enthusiasts will surely find joy in the film.
8 Ruins (2008)
Directed by Carter Smith
Film produced by Ben Stiller ruins There was a script that was too shallow and predictable to impress the critics. ruinsBased on screenwriter Scott Smith’s book of the same name, follows two couples on a vacation visiting a remote Mayan ruin that turns deadly when they come across carnivorous vines. The design of the hungry plant was a top priority during production.
ruins Director Carter Smith emphasized the importance of getting the audience to buy into the threat possessed by the vine to make the movie work. luckily, As many critics have noted in their mixed reviews, the quality of the special effects is impressive And the film will be enough to encourage rewatches. Additionally, for horror fans with strong stomachs, there are several gory scenes throughout ruins As its scenery gradually becomes a major threat.
7 The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura
Clive Barker’s stories have been adapted into films many times, esp Hellraiser And Candyman. In 2008, a short story by Barkers was produced Midnight Meat Train The film stars Bradley Cooper as a photographer hunting a notorious serial killer who preys on the subway. After its initial release, THe is the midnight meat train has garnered mixed reviews, with the biggest issues being the film’s weak narrative and formulaic scare tactics.
when Midnight Meat Train While it may still be considered a cult classic, it certainly deserves another watch. There is a good mix of thrills and scares and Cooper gives one of his best performances in the horror genre. Beginning as a simple serial killer film, Midnight Meat Train Fast-paced with its memorable twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
6 Thirteen Ghosts (2001)
Directed by Steve Beck
Among Roger Ebert’s most hated horror films Thirteen Ghosts. The film is a remake of William Castle 13 ghosts and follows the Cyrus family as they try to escape the wrath of a ghost trapped inside their palace. Thirteen Ghosts It was not a complete failure at the box office, however The film garnered mostly negative reviews from critics who said the film was not as scary as it could have been..
Despite the extensive backstory of the titular spirit Thirteen GhostsSome critics, such as Ebert, felt as though the film’s characters were not compelling enough. However, there is still plenty to enjoy about it Thirteen Ghosts After rewatching the film. The production design is eye-catching and the aforementioned backstories and physical appearance of the ghosts are well thought out and unique.
5 Dreamcatcher (2003)
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan
Dreamcatcher The cast has an impressive lineup with actors like Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Thomas Jane and Morgan Freeman. However, their star power was not enough to save the film. As Stephen King himself criticized, Dreamcatcher It bombed at the box office and was negatively reviewed by critics. Based on King’s 2001 novel, Dreamcatcher Parasite follows four friends who come across aliens.
Its first part Dreamcatcher Starts off strong, but the film soon devolves into something that didn’t impress many. a handful DreamcatcherIts reviews were disappointing due to the film’s prioritization of special effects and visuals over storytelling. The visual elements of the film are worth checking out and even though the film is not funny, the audience can still overcome its flaws Dreamcatcher Time to watch them as silly entertainment.
4 Ghosts of Mars (2001)
Director John Carpenter
John Carpenter is considered one of the greatest horror directors – dubbed the master of horror – but even he had a few failures. the carpenter Ghost of Mars It performed poorly at the box office but gained a cult following, garnering praise from critics and audiences alike. Ghost of Mars The title is set on a colonial version of the planet and depicts a war between humans and an ancient Martian civilization.
In the eyes of many Ghost of Mars was messy and tended to be more campy than scary. But enough time has passed for the audience to realize that Ghost of Mars Not nightmare-inducing and a lot of fun can be had with the film. This includes heavy metal soundtracks and action scenes Ghost of Mars Go hand in hand with some of the film’s parts that have been rewarded with accolades.
3 Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Directed by Karine Kusama
Its critical scoring Jennifer’s body Not much has changed since the late 2000s, but the dark comedy horror film has been considered a cult film in recent years. The film stars Megan Fox as its title demonically possessed high school student who eats the flesh of her male classmates for fuel. Jennifer’s body Didn’t quite bomb at the box office, but it didn’t do very well either.
A partial explanation for the moderate response Jennifer’s body In relation to its marketing. Touted as a horror film, Audiences were expecting a high number of scares, and possibly a large kill count. But what do you do? Jennifer’s body Worth revisiting — and explaining the reasons for its newfound cult film status — are its dark, clever humor, a memorable horror performance by Megan Fox, and its once-unmarked feminist themes.
2 Constantine (2005)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
While it may not be Keanu Reeves’ best horror film, the DC Comics-inspired Constantine It has gained a cult following in the years since its release in the mid-2000s. Combining elements of both horror and thriller genres, Constantine Its title follows the adventures of undercover detectives who can travel back and forth between Earth and Hell. Constantine Its somewhat different from its comic book origin, but What the film really lacked for many was direction and style.
Constantine The tone was darker than most superhero movies, but there was still a noticeable liveliness missing from the film. Constantine The third came out just a few years later matrix The movie, thus prompting many to compare Reeves’ performance. However, John Constantine is one of Reeves’ best characters as the actor slips into the role effortlessly, providing a natural charm that has helped garner a cult following.
1 Slider (2006)
Directed by James Gunn
grossed $3 million less than its budget, hole was a failure at the box office. Nevertheless, critics and audiences managed to appreciate the sci-fi horror film. Starring notable actors like Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker and Elizabeth Banks, hole It’s set in a town that’s been overrun by a deadly parasite, putting a unique spin on the zombie film genre. There are plenty of comedic moments throughout the movie and Where other horror comedies focus too much on one genre over another, hole Strikes ideal balance.
hole shares a similar plot with Night of the CreepsAnd there are an endless number of references to classics within the horror genre, making for a fun viewing experience. However, it goes without saying hole Will not cause cold. The special effects of Infected Humans are delightfully gross.