Divisive Horror Remake ‘The Crazies’ Lands on Tubi on January 1st

As a seasoned horror movie enthusiast who has survived countless sleepless nights thanks to the genre, I am thrilled to share my thoughts on Tubi’s upcoming addition – the 2010 remake of “The Crazies.” Having had the misfortune (or perhaps fortune) of watching a fair share of horror remakes, I can confidently say that this one is a diamond in the rough.

Tubi remains a generous present as another movie is slated for their free streaming platform in the upcoming year. This film was released during the wave of horror remakes in the 2000s and stands out as superior compared to many produced during that period. Featuring an impressive ensemble, competent direction, and a few genuinely frightening moments, the 2010 reboot of The Crazies is worth re-watching when it becomes available on the streaming service.

On New Year’s Day, the movie titled “The Crazies” is due to stream on Tubi. For those unaware, Tubi is a free, ad-supported streaming platform that has been growing in popularity while other services continue to increase their prices. By May 2024, Tubi reportedly boasted 80 million active monthly users, a number that has likely grown since then. This indicates that countless viewers will have the opportunity to either revisit or discover for the first time the 2010 horror remake of “The Crazies“, which accurately captures the genre’s essence.

Under the direction of Breck Eisner, with a screenplay penned by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, the movie titled The Crazies is a modern retelling of the 1973 film bearing the same name. The story unfolds around the inhabitants of a fictitious Iowa town who inadvertently come into contact with a biological agent that transforms those infected into violent assailants. In this adaptation, Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson, and Danielle Panabaker take on leading roles. The original film was helmed by horror master George A. Romero, who also assumes an executive producer role in the remake.

‘The Crazies’ Was Well-Received By Critics Upon Release

Upon release, the horror film “The Crazies” garnered positive reviews from critics, earning a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised it as tense, well-shot, and smart, calling it an effective remake of the original. Despite this, its current audience score of 57% suggests that opinions about the film may have become more polarized over time. Interestingly, the original movie also holds a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so the remake is not far from its source material.

As a cinephile, I must say that the film exceeded expectations, raking in over $50 million globally on a budget of just $20 million. In stark contrast, the 1973 flick had a limited release and only screened in a handful of theaters, resulting in a disappointing box office collection of $142,784 against a budget of $275,000. The mastermind behind it, Romero, pinned its underperformance on poor distribution. Interestingly, attempts were made to release the film under different titles across various territories in an effort to boost visibility. However, it wasn’t until much later that the original movie managed to resonate with its intended audience.

The Crazies arrives on Tubi on Jan. 1

2024-12-26 00:02

‘The Crazies’ Was Well-Received By Critics Upon Release

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