The 2000s were a transitory time in horror movie history. The '80s were rife with slasher movies. The '90s attempted to shed the slasher identity before Scream veered the mainstream back to the slasher and into a post-modern, meta-slasher territory. The 2010s were filled with A24 slow-burners and Conjuring-like haunted house romps.
The 2000s doesn't really have an identity. Sure, various genres and specific movies were popular, but there's no one thing you can point to and say "that defined the 2000s horror landscape."
And, as always, the divide between critical and audience reception was wide. These are ten horror movies from the 2000s that critics hated but audiences adored.
Saw (2004)
If one series represented the 2000s, it was Saw. While the Saw series would grow increasingly illogical and silly, the original movie is a well-respected piece of thriller/horror cinema. That is, if you ask general audiences. The movie made over $100 million at the box office and currently sits at an incredibly solid 7.6/10 on IMDb. But nothing represents the divide more than Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. The movie holds a 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 46. Meanwhile, the Rotten Tomatoes audience score is a much higher 84%, as is its Metacritic score of 8.2.
Final Destination (2000)
Opening the decade was Final Destination, which was released on March 17, 2000. While critics praised the "promising premise," they nevertheless criticized the "flighty performances and poor execution" of the movie. This has resulted in a 35% Rotten Tomatoes score and 36 Metascore. General audiences were obviously more forgiving, owing to the fact that the series has now lasted twenty years and five films. The 6.7/10 IMDb score and 8.7 Metacritic score can also attest to that.
The Ring (2002)
The Ring was absolutely massive in 2002. It was released just in time for Halloween and went on to gross $250 million at the worldwide box office, making it one of the most popular horror movies of its time. It is also well regarded by general audiences and sits at 7.1/10 on IMDb, a relatively strong showing for a horror film. However, the movie's Metascore sits at a disappointing 57, with many critics commenting on its languid pace and confusing storyline.
Underworld (2003)
Underworld was another popular horror movie, although this one placed a large emphasis on its action and thriller elements.
This is one of those movies that are beloved by fans but reviled by critics, owing largely to the series' mythology. General audiences scored it a B+ CinemaScore, and the movie sits at a very solid 7.0/10 on IMDb. Critics could not care less about the mythology, and the overall consensus is that Underworld is "tedious and derivative." This has resulted in a pitiful 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 42 Metascore.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of those horror movies you just don't remake. Critics found the concept of a remake disgusting, calling it "an unnecessary remake that's more gory and less scary than the original." This resulted in horrible scores of 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic. However, the movie made over $100 million at the box office and scored a solid B+ CinemaScore, indicating that general audiences were far more receptive to the idea of a remake.
Resident Evil (2002)
Critics generally don't enjoy video game adaptations, and Resident Evil was no different. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus claims, "Like other video game adaptations, Resident Evil is loud, violent, formulaic, and cheesy," resulting in a 36%. The Metascore is equally painful at 33. Die-hard Resident Evil fans were clearly more receptive to the adaptation. The movie received a relatively solid B CinemaScore, sits at a strong 6.7/10 on IMDb, and grossed $103 million at the box office. The series is still going strong to this day, albeit with a very different tone.
Silent Hill (2006)
Silent Hill is yet another critically reviled video game adaptation.
Critics claim that Silent Hill is "plagued by inane dialogue, a muddled plot, and an overlong runtime," resulting in a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 Metascore. In other words, it was one of the most disliked movies of 2006. Not so with general audiences - the movie grossed $100 million, has a far more sturdy 7.9 score on Metacritic, and currently sits at 6.5/10 on IMDb. They clearly didn't care about the so-called inane dialogue, muddled plot, or overlong runtime.
The Amityville Horror (2005)
The Ryan Reynolds-led Amityville Horror wasn't very popular with the critics. The movie sits at a very-not-so-so 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and has a 31 Metascore, indicating genuine hatred instead of flippant, so-so dismissal. They called it "a so-so remake of a so-so original," but the audience scores would beg to differ. However, the movie made $108 million at the box office, scored a solid B CinemaScore, and sits at a not-terrible 6.0/10 on IMDb. Maybe it's just the Ryan Reynolds charm.
The Exorcism Of Emily Rose (2005)
Exorcism movies will never match up to The Exorcist. Critics recognize this, calling The Exorcism of Emily Rose a "ho-hum take on demonic cinema." Unlike The Amityville Horror, the critical scores of Emily Rose reflect the "ho-hum" consensus - it holds a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 46 Metascore. Maybe general audiences didn't expect the next Exorcist, because they were far more lenient in their opinion. The movie grossed nearly $150 million, scored a B CinemaScore, and sits at a very respectable 6.7/10 on IMDb.
30 Days Of Night (2007)
It's quite clear that 30 Days of Night has developed a cult following throughout the years. It made a solid $75 million at the box office, it holds a Metacritic score of 7.3, and currently stands at 6.6/10 on IMDb. People love a violent, fast-paced vampire story. That is, everyone except the critics. Critical reception of 30 Days of Night was none too favorable owing to its "erratic execution," resulting in a 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and paltry 53 Metascore.
