Linda Hamilton Called It Her Worst Movie, But I Have To Disagree

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Linda Hamilton is known for many fantastic movies, but she considers one film to be her least favorite. While she became famous for her role as Sarah Connor in the Terminator movies, that was just one highlight in a long and successful acting career.

Linda Hamilton starred in a film based on a Stephen King story early in her career, but she remembers it very negatively – she’s even called it the worst movie she’s ever been in. Interestingly, despite her dislike, the film has gained a dedicated following and become a cult classic, suggesting her initial assessment might have been off base.

Linda Hamilton Calls Children Of The Corn Her Worst Movie

I remember when I first saw Children of the Corn back in 1984! It starred Linda Hamilton, and it was based on a really creepy short story by Stephen King – it’s actually from his Night Shift collection. The movie’s about this couple who end up stranded in a tiny town in Nebraska, and it’s totally unsettling because all the adults are missing and the children… well, let’s just say they’re not what they seem. Their car breaks down, and things just go downhill from there!

In a 1992 interview, Hamilton discussed her career, admitting she’d faced some setbacks. She fondly remembered her time working on the Terminator movies, but had a negative experience filming Children of the Corn.

I still consider ‘Children of the Corn,’ directed by Stephen King, the worst movie I’ve ever worked on – it genuinely stays with me. And now, unbelievably, they’re making another one! They definitely weren’t interested in having me involved this time around.

The movie received a very critical review, and Hamilton is understandably disappointed with how it turned out. She later explained that the production constantly ran into budget issues, forcing them to cut important scenes. Still, despite these difficulties, Children of the Corn is likely a better film than she recalls.

Looking back at some old interviews with Linda Hamilton, it’s easy to forget how early she was in her career! While she didn’t have the best things to say about movies like Children of the Corn – which was actually only her second role – and King Kong Lives, it’s clear she was still finding her footing. She was definitely measuring those films against the huge success she’d already had with The Terminator, and honestly, who wouldn’t?

Children Of The Corn Remains A Cult Favorite

While not considered one of the best Stephen King adaptations, Children of the Corn has gained a positive reputation over time. The movie’s biggest weakness lies with its main characters, who aren’t particularly memorable, but the child villains are truly compelling.

I’ve always been fascinated by horror icons, and John Franklin and Courtney Gains definitely fit the bill! Decades after Children of the Corn came out, people still want to see them at horror events and in documentaries. Franklin was absolutely chilling as Isaac, the leader of the creepy kids, and Gains was fantastic as Malachai, right beside him. They really made that movie memorable!

You know, when this movie first came out, critics weren’t really impressed. But as a horror fan, I’ve always loved it – the atmosphere is just incredibly unsettling, and Franklin and Gains deliver truly creepy performances. Looking back now, especially after seeing some of the sequels, it’s clear that Kiersch really understood the source material better than anyone. It feels like they nailed the core of the story.

The story starts with a monster in the cornfields, but the real heart of the narrative lies with the children. The movie truly shines when it shows the kids establishing a structured society based on Isaac’s rules, and how that system ultimately leads to death and violence.

The first Children of the Corn movie was most effective as a straightforward horror story. Subsequent sequels unfortunately centered on the character of He Who Walks Behind the Rows, which isn’t the most compelling element. The real strength lies in Isaac and Malachai, and their unwavering commitment to their beliefs – that’s what truly makes the franchise frightening.

Children Of The Corn Still Spawned A Very Long Franchise

Just because a horror series lasts a long time doesn’t mean the first movie was a masterpiece, but the original Children of the Corn was popular enough to spawn 11 films and still counting—though the series has been more unsuccessful than successful overall. Actress Linda Hamilton was reportedly surprised by the 1993 sequel, and that was only the beginning of the franchise’s continued story.

By the end of the 1990s, the Children of the Corn series had six films, concluding with Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return. Since then, three more sequels were released in 2001, 2011, and 2018. Additionally, a TV remake came out in 2009, and a reboot directed by Kurt Wimmer was released in 2020.

The first Children of the Corn movie is still the strongest in the series. Like many horror franchises, such as Hellraiser, the quality of Children of the Corn declined significantly in later installments. The fact that the original was made on a small budget makes Fritz Kiersch’s accomplishment with the film even more impressive.

This is particularly evident with the 2020 reboot, intended to address the issues with the original series. Despite Kurt Wimmer’s previous successes, like The Beekeeper, his film was critically panned, earning only an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In fact, the original movie wasn’t simply average; it had its merits.

For over forty years, Children of the Corn has been a Halloween staple, with regular screenings keeping its story alive. The enduring popularity of the film proves how strong Stephen King’s original idea was, and many viewers actually consider the movie to be better than Linda Hamilton apparently did.

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2025-10-31 03:59