Is this a classic horror film? - Critters (1986) Discussion

[–] thewaitress (1616) 6 years ago

I don't know what I would consider it. Back in the day my mom would let us rent movies on the weekends. For many weeks, I saw the cover of Critters in the horror section and was a little scared if I'm being honest. Finally, after weeks of almost looking at it, I grabbed it and read the back case. Found myself actually interested in the movie and rented it. I loved it. I wasn't really scared, I think I was around 7-9 but I remember this movie so fondly. I rented it several more times and finally bought it in my teen years. I've lost it now in a few moves and whatnot but I still get a kick out of some of the scenes.

I hardly ever hear anyone mention it or remember it. Only Gremlins but that's another thread.

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[–] Burk48917 (11356) 5 years ago

I watched it a lot because it was one of about 30 movies the grocery store had to rent

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[–] thewaitress (1616) 5 years ago

Did you enjoy it? I plan on watching it again soon with charliekelly, been a long ass time since I seen it.

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[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 6 years ago

Its too popular to be considered a cult.

It's definitely a classic. Just by looking at it. It has that feeling.

I always have a blast watching it.

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[–] hurricane (1959) 5 years ago

I'd edge towards cult. I don't think it's as well known as something like Gremlins.

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[–] MikeCable (1843) 5 years ago

Very light on the horror, more sci-fi. I'd say a fun, low-budget sci-fi set in a small town with a limited amount of characters.

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[–] Kowalski (75528) 5 years ago

CRITTERS AND HOUSE ARE MY TWO FAVORITE HORROR FLICKS OF THE 80S...UNFORTUNATELY CLASSIC IS AN OVERSHOT.CULT CLASSIC I SUPPOSE.JUST WATCHED BOTH WITH MY DAUGHTER RECENTLY..SHE LOVED THEM BOTH.

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[–] Burk48917 (11356) 5 years ago

It's probably a good one to watch with my kid, I think he can handle it

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[–] BlissNEsb (108) 5 years ago

Critters is an 80s nostalgia/ cult flick.
Gremlins is more of a cult "classic."

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[–] manwithoutaplan (227) 5 years ago

I'll have to disagree and say Gremlins is not cult. It's been very popular since it opened in 1984. The movie made $150M. I wouldn't consider that "cult" at all. I agree with the "classic" part. Gremlins is a classic movie.

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[–] Burk48917 (11356) 5 years ago

Agree, Gremlins is very mainstream.

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[–] Redsfan001 (6144) 5 years ago

No this was a hack 'b' movie created soley because of the success of 'Gremlins'. Not shown in most theaters in 1986,one of the early 'straight to VHS movies' that people first saw in a video store.

Arguably a cult classic should be original. This is just a Gremlins inspired ripoff.

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[–] Kowalski (75528) 5 years ago

IT TRANSCENDS ITS HUMBLE ORIGINS...CRITTERS IS FULLY CULT CLASSIC.

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[–] Redsfan001 (6144) 5 years ago

Sorry Kowalski I see that you enjoyed it. I was alive at the time 17 yoa, when it came out and was seen has a 'hack/ripoff' of Gremlins.

Just keeping it real.

If Gremlins did not come out 2 years prior, then I would agree with you.

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[–] Kowalski (75528) 5 years ago

I WAS ALSO ALIVE...AND YES IT IS A RIPOFF,THAT TRANSCENDS ITS HUMBLE ORIGINS....CRITTERS 2,3,4..THAT SHOW,A NEW FLICK.QUALITY NOT WITHSTANDING.....DONT FORGET..THE FLINTSTONES IS JUST A RIPOFF OF THE HONEYMOONERS.

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[–] BlissNEsb (108) 5 years ago

The script for Critters was written before Gremlins. So how is it not original.

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[–] Kowalski (75528) 5 years ago

OH SHIT!...KNOWLEDGE BOMB!!!!…..HIGH FIVE.

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[–] Redsfan001 (6144) 5 years ago

On wiki it says Critters script was written 'before Gremlins went into production', NOT before the Gremlins script was written.

It is very hard for me to believe, two such similar and orginal movies came about at the same time. The chances of that happening are extremely remote.

This happens all the time in Hollywood, a idea for a movie is given, another studio hears about it and plans something similar, waiting to see if it is profitable.

That is what happened in this case.

It stands to reason that Critters 1986 was the probable hack.

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[–] Redsfan001 (6144) 5 years ago

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[–] Bamfurlong (26) 4 years ago

This was a cult classic in the 80's that surprisingly didn't go mainstream. It had the big boost of Siskel and Ebert giving it two thumbs up but I don't recall seeing it until it went to the video stores and at 13 years old I was a prime candidate to see this in the theatres. Now-a-days this is a forgotten gem waiting to be rediscovered. I wonder which came out first, Critters or Ghoulies. Both had toilet scenes but Ghoulies made a lot of money from it's marketing even though it was a crappy movie.

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[–] Bamfurlong (26) 4 years ago

Comparing Gremlins, Critters and Ghoulies...Gremlins was extremely original and had great advertising with a focus on the one cutesy character. Parents brought the kids and it made a killing at the box office bringing it into the mainstream. Ghoulies, on the other hand, ran out of money mid production and came out after Gremlins but was able to ride the Gremlins wave and its movie poster depicting the ghoulie coming out of a toilet was a lucky move by the marketing department. It had buzz just from that poster. Two years later there was no Gremlins wave for Critters to ride and frankly the movie posters were poor. With no internet back then posters were way more important. I simply don't remember seeing any commercials for Critters pre-theater or remember any articles in the movie magazines so I wonder if the marketing campaign was lack luster. It made the least amount of money of the three and has never made it to the main stream.

How do they hold up? I did a test and asked my co-workers some of whom weren't alive in 1986 and they have only heard of Gremlins. Gremlins is still sort of in the mainstream with kids still watching it and parents watching it with their kids. I recently watched Ghoulies and it doesn't hold up, its still a mess. Critters, however, is still really fun to watch and I know I'll be re-watching it again and again which I can't really say the same for Gremlins. Critters remains a hidden gem just waiting for someone to stumble over it on a steaming site or see it touted in a YouTube top ten video.

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