Horror movies are tricky, as there is often no ing for taste. Some people love slow, atmospheric horror movies that rely on psychological tension and the horror of the unseen. Others prefer a faster-paced and more easily explainable story, and some just want to see guts and gore.
As a result, there is often a wide divide between critics and audiences when it comes to horror movies. The 1990s were a weird time for horror, as the decade was seemingly trying to shed the slashers of the 80s but didn't quite know where else to go. These are ten horror movies from the 90s that critics hated (but audiences loved).
Predator 2 (1990)
Some people love Predator 2. Others pretend that it was never made and that the story ended with the 1987 classic. Critics are part of the latter category, judging by the movie's measly 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 Metascore. However, general audiences were far more receptive. The movie received a solid B+ CinemaScore when it was released in 1990, and to this day it holds a relatively strong 6.3/10 on IMDb. It's no Predator, but it's not as bad as the critics suggest.
Flatliners (1990)
Don't let the horrible 2017 remake fool you, the original Flatliners is actually good—that is, if you trust general audiences. The movie holds a very solid 6.6/10 on IMDb and was even graded a B+ on CinemaScore back in 1990. It even holds a staggering 9.2 score on Metacritic! The official Metascore is a far more disappointing and mediocre 55. This middling reception is mirrored in the movie's 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of 5.5/10.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Opinion remains firmly divided on the qualities of Bram Stoker's Dracula. The movie holds a middling 57 Metascore, with many critics highlighting the overblown nature of the movie and Keanu Reeves' infamously horrible performance as major detractors. Despite the mediocre critical reception, the movie was a massive hit with general audiences. It made $215 million at the box office, sits at 7.4/10 on IMDb, and holds a Metacritic score of 8.6.
Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Interview with the Vampire shares a lot in common with Bram Stoker's Dracula, least of all the vampire theme.
Like Dracula, Interview with the Vampire holds a paltry Metacritic score of 59, a mere two points higher than Dracula. Also like Dracula, the Metacritic score sits at a far higher 8.6. It also sits .2 points higher than Dracula on IMDb with a very solid 7.6/10. And, believe it or not, it made just $8 million more than Dracula, finishing its box office run with $223.7 million.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)
Let's continue the Victorian horror theme with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a noble but ultimately failed adaptation from Kenneth Branagh. Despite a very solid cast, Frankenstein was critically reviled for its "overwrought tone and lack of scares," resulting in a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it also sits at 6.4/10 on IMDb, and many of the top-rated reviews hail it as an underrated and underappreciated classic.
Nightbreed (1990)
Speaking of movies that have generated a cult following throughout the years, let's talk about Clive Baker's Nightbreed. Nightbreed did not do well when it was released in 1990 and was generally considered both a commercial and critical failure. It currently holds just 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 40 Metascore. It also made just nine million dollars at the box office. However, the movie holds a far more solid 60% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a strong IMDb rating of 6.6/10, indicating that its reputation has generally increased with time.
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien 3 is far more divisive than its acclaimed and timeless predecessors, but it still enjoys a very devout cult following.
Critics lambasted this movie owing to its weak story and controversial creative decisions like killing off Hicks and Newt, resulting in a 43% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the movie was equally reviled within the general movie-going community, its reputation has seemingly increased throughout the years judging by its relatively strong IMDb rating of 6.5/10.
Needful Things (1993)
Needful Things is a long-forgotten Stephen King adaptation from 1993. It stars Max von Sydow as Leland Gaunt, a mysterious man who opens an antique store in the small town of Castle Rock, Maine. The movie was not well received by critics, and it currently holds just 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 4.1/10. General audiences scored it a far more forgiving B- CinemaScore, and it holds a 6.3/10 rating on IMDb. Maybe it's not a masterpiece, but it's better than a pitiful 4/10.
Child's Play 2 (1990)
Child's Play 2 isn't often ed today, but this movie was pretty popular in 1990. It made $36 million at the box office, the equivalent of roughly $70 million today. It was also given an incredible A- CinemaScore, making it the best-received movie of the series. (Child's Play received a B, the 2019 remake a C+, and the others were not given a CinemaScore). The movie currently sits at just 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and holds a pitiful 37 Metascore, indicating that critics weren't nearly as keen.
Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
iconic series for a reason.
