The Crow’s 2024 Remake: From Box Office Bomb to Streaming Sensation!

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As a fervent admirer, I must share my excitement over the unexpected success story of “The Crow” remake, which some critics have dubbed as an unnecessary reboot for 2024. Contrary to initial expectations, this adaptation has been soaring high on the Starz streaming platform, claiming the number one spot several months after its box office struggles.

The 1994 film “The Crow” achieved cult status not just for its chilling tale of love and mortality, but also due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Brandon Lee’s death, which resonated deeply with viewers. The movie’s mix of Gothic romance and vigilante action struck a cord, making it challenging to dispute that the film captured an electric essence that could not be replicated in any follow-up films. Now, three decades later, Hollywood has revealed their plan for a remake featuring Bill Skarsgård in the lead role.

Initially, some viewers were hesitant about the remake of “The Crow” due to its trailer alone, despite the actor’s proven talent for portraying unsettling characters such as Pennywise from Stephen King’s It. However, the film’s unexpected shift from a hauntingly ethereal atmosphere to graphic action scenes left many feeling uneasy, contributing to its status as one of the flops at the box office in 2024.

Was The Crow’s 2024 Remake Really That Bad?

In August 2023, the movie titled “The Crow” made its landing with a disappointing 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes by critics. However, over time, it improved slightly to reach 22%. Currently, it’s still at this level. The general sentiment among critics was that this reboot of “The Crow” lacked the necessary charm and rhythm, making it an unworthy revival according to many. This summary is a softened version of some of the harsh criticisms, such as Kristy Puchko’s from Mashable, who described the film as “dreary, with poor pacing, offering neither the required personality nor pulse.

In a disorganized and rather pessimistic manner, The Crow resonates with the philosophies from a different chilling tale of reanimated corpses on a destructive spree: At times, it’s far more desirable to be deceased.

Although the film faced harsh criticism from critics, it managed to gain favor among audiences as its Popcornmeter score increased to 62%. This was significantly lower than the 90% rating held by the 1994 movie. The key point was that those who could distinguish the new movie from the original graphic novel adaptation seemed more appreciative of it. However, when it comes to Hollywood remakes, nostalgia often plays a negative role and this instance was no exception.

1. Michael M expressed his disappointment, stating that the remake “completely undermined the foundation of the initial film.” He believed if it weren’t for the Crow in the title, he would rate it 4 stars.

2. Vincent, on the other hand, was critical, calling the movie a typical example of today’s “Hollywood trash,” suffering from issues like IP Reboot Syndrome, poor pacing, poor writing, and what he refers to as a producer’s desperate attempt (a Hail Mary).

3. In contrast, Dianna, who hadn’t seen the 1994 film, appreciated it, finding it “dark but good” with plenty of gore and violence. Her friend had expected it to be more like the original, but it wasn’t. Since Dianna hadn’t seen the original, she didn’t make any comparisons and enjoyed the movie on its own merits. Both Dianna and her friend liked the film.

It appears that, once more, streaming platforms are coming to the rescue for a struggling movie. With a production cost of $50 million and only earning $24 million at the box office, “The Crow” has now found a new lease on life on Starz. Many people who initially avoided it are now watching it due to its second release. For those who prefer the original, the 1994 version of “The Crow” can be streamed on Prime Video in the U.S.

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2025-02-22 17:02