Critics and audiences don’t always see eye to eye. While critical acclaim can enhance a film’s reputation, many examples prove that audience perception is the stronger force. Case in point is Underworld. Despite being consistently dismissed by critics, the gothic action-horror franchise earned a fiercely loyal following, becoming one of the most beloved vampire–werewolf sagas of its era. When Underworld debuted in 2003, it was a surprise hit. The film marked the directorial debut of Len Wiseman, who was reportedly uncertain about its prospects. But thanks to a stylish marketing campaign and a distinct mix of leather-clad gunfights and gothic lore, Underworld struck a chord with audiences and quickly spawned a franchise. Now, years after the last installment, the original film and its sequel are enjoying a new wave of popularity on streaming.
Underworld and its 2006 sequel, Underworld: Evolution, are currently ranking side by side in sixth and seventh place among the most-watched movies on the free streaming platform Pluto TV. The first film introduced audiences to a shadowy world where vampires and Lycans (werewolves) have been locked in an age-old feud. While the concept of warring supernatural clans was hardly new, Underworld brought a slick modern edge and an intricate mythology that felt refreshingly unique. At the heart of the story is Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a deadly vampire “Death Dealer” whose life takes an unexpected turn when she falls for Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), a human targeted by the Lycans. After he is infected with the Lycan curse, Selene becomes torn between loyalty to her kind and her growing affection for Michael.
Despite being met with scathing reviews, Underworld was a commercial success, grossing more than three times its production budget. The film’s passionate fan response was strong enough to ignite a full-fledged franchise, and a sequel was quickly greenlit. Wiseman returned to helm Underworld: Evolution, which hit theaters in 2006 and delivered even bigger box office returns. While critics were even less kind — the sequel’s Rotten Tomatoes score dropped to 17%, down from 31% for the original — audiences once again showed up in force. Evolution earned an impressive $113.4 million worldwide against its $45 million budget, solidifying Underworld as one of the defining supernatural action franchises of the 2000s.
‘Underworld’ Was Almost Never Made
What makes Underworld’s success even more impressive is the number of obstacles it had to overcome just to get made. In 2023, during the film’s 20th anniversary, director Wiseman reflected in an interview with Collider on the behind-the-scenes challenges that nearly derailed the project. According to Wiseman, the movie originated from Dimension Films’ simple desire to make a werewolf movie. With little more than that to go on, Wiseman was tasked with developing a concept from scratch. He eventually landed on the idea of blending vampire and werewolf mythology, adding a Romeo and Juliet-style forbidden romance to spice things up. His initial pitch was rejected by the studio, but Wiseman refused to abandon the idea. Over the next six months, he refined the story and created striking visual artwork to bring his vision to life. It was a move that convinced the studio to greenlight the project and ultimately birthed a fan-favorite franchise with five feature-length films, one short, and even the potential for more.
You can watch Underworld and Underworld: Evolution for free now on Pluto TV.
- Release Date
-
September 19, 2003
- Runtime
-
122 Minutes
- Writers
-
Danny McBride
