Top 10 Hated Movies That Are Gradually Becoming Liked

Michael Mann went back to his roots when he adapted a film version of his popular 80s crime show “Miami Vice,” updating the sleek and sexy aesthetic to the mid 00s. Using the digital photography Mann was becoming known for, the film version polarized critics and didn’t fare much better at the box office. While many described it as “style over substance” and overly somber at the time, in the decade and a half that followed a new generation of critics and moviegoers began to look at it through a different lens. Not having grown up with the original, and in an age where digital has become standard, they were able to look at it on its own merits, praising the cinematography and brooding tone.

When Sofia Coppola's historical drama about the infamous French queen premiered at the Cannes film festival it divided viewers, with some even booing the film. Many felt that it was nothing more than some pretty costume porn, and a shallow and inaccurate biopic. Indeed the movie’s portrayal of Marie is more like a modern American teen than an accurate portrayal of her life in France in the 1700s. While the anachronistic music and even a shot of a pair of Converse shoes drew ire from many historians, many have come to realize over time that that was exactly the point. While seen as a step down at the time, “Marie Antoinette” is now viewed by many as an essential piece of Coppola’s filmography.

Initially marketed as a sexy thriller aimed at teen boys, heavily promoting kissing scenes between Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox, “Jennifer’s Body” was met with negative reviews and lackluster box office results. Writer Diablo Cody took issue with the studio’s marketing strategy, feeling that it was missing the intended demographic: young women. Over the years the intended audience eventually came to discover the film and identify with its themes, particularly in regard to women’s bodies and autonomy in the wake of the #metoo movement. Today the film is regarded by many as a feminist horror masterpiece and a seminal bisexual text.

Following the success of “The Matrix” trilogy, the Wachowskis had a blank check. They chose to direct a film adaptation of the classic anime “Speed Racer.” They delivered one of the boldest, most colorful, and earnest films of the century, but upon release it was torn apart, losing millions and receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews. While their next project fared somewhat better critically, the equally ambitious follow up, “Cloud Atlas,” was also a box office bomb. However, both films developed a small yet loyal following online, with people beginning to sing their praises. Today both have been reappraised, with “Speed Racer” in particular being hailed in critical pieces questioning if we got it wrong upon release.

A sequel to two of the most beloved and popular sci-fi films of all time, there were a lot of expectations heaped onto the third Alien film from the start. A legendarily troubled production that dragged on for years, with multiple scripts written and thrown out, filming began before the final script was even complete. Studio meddling left the film with plots that went nowhere and an inconsistent tone, and led first time director David Fincher to disown the film. Years later, however, a cut of the film was released intended to be closer to Fincher’s vision. The Assembly cut has been praised by many for being the version we should have seen in 1992.

Attempting to copy the success of their rival Marvel, DC kicked off their cinematic universe with a film centered around their most famous character, Superman. The film from Zack Snyder drew its fair share of complaints including a third act that destroyed much of Metropolis and the infamous scene where Pa Kent lets himself be sucked into a tornado. But now after the DCEU’s slow inevitable death, and the travesty that was Joss Whedon’s “Justice League,” “Man of Steel” looks pretty good by comparison. And while people are certainly excited for the next iteration of Superman, Henry Cavill excelled in the role. Knowing that this was Cavill’s only solo Superman film, we can’t help but embrace “Man of Steel” in retrospect.

M. Night Shyamalan has had quite the journey in Hollywood, going from the golden child to filmmaking pariah to a bit of a self-financed indie darling. “The Village” came out right as he was transitioning from that first part of his career to the second. His reputation, which had been unimpeachable after the success of “The Sixth Sense,” was beginning a downward spiral. “The Village” began a streak of five films that critics and audiences hated, with many saying he had become overly reliant on twist endings. However, recently he began to bet on himself, self-financing his projects, rehabilitating his image as a writer/director. Upon reexamination “The Village” might have more in common with “Unbreakable” than “The Last Airbender.”

Sam Raimi returned to direct a third film in the “Spider-Man” trilogy after astounding audiences with the first two entries. “Spider-Man 3” was immediately a huge success at the box office, but reactions to the film, particularly online, were decidedly more negative. Fans pointed to the overstuffed plot and miscasting of Venom as major drawbacks, citing studio interference. Raimi would ultimately drop out of a planned fourth film, leading to a reboot. Those films in many ways felt the studio interference and overstuffed nature even more strongly. With the benefit of hindsight, some began to reexamine Raimi’s third Spidey film. Although its problems still existed, other elements, like the tragic story of the Sandman, and its bittersweet ending began to receive overdue acclaim.

The film adaptation of the bestselling book aimed primarily at teen girls was also aimed predictably at teen girls. That target audience loved the adaptation, filled with gloomy Washington state skies and just as gloomy characters. Those outside of that demographic weren't as enthusiastic, often befuddled or downright dismissive of the film and why anyone would enjoy it. Today, even some of the film's biggest detractors have realized it just wasn’t for them. “Twilight” may not have appealed to critics’ tastes, but it did exactly what it set out to do with its campy performances, cheesy dialogue and sparkling vampires. Even well over a decade after its release, it appeals to new generations of its core demographic of young women.

After waiting for decades, those that had grown up with the original trilogy of “Star Wars” would finally get a chance to see a new film in their favorite franchise! Hype was so huge that people bought tickets to “Meet Joe Black” just to watch the trailer for “The Phantom Menace.” However, they weren’t happy with the final product, and cries that George Lucas had killed their childhood were frequent. The second and third films faced the same backlash. While the adults decried Jar Jar Binks and the like, for a generation of children, this was their introduction to “Star Wars.” Those children are now adults, holding the same nostalgia for those movies as their parents did for the originals.

Which movie that used to be hated has grown on you? Let us know in the comments below!