Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing
Early reactions for Anaconda have begun to surface ahead of its theatrical release, with many praising the film’s approach. Releasing this Christmas, the movie marks the latest installment in the Anaconda franchise, which began in 1997 with Luis Llosa’s film of the same name. The project serves as a meta reboot of the original and stars Paul Rudd and Jack Black in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, and Selton Mello, among others.
First reactions instill high hopes for Anaconda reboot
Early reactions to the Anaconda reboot have arrived, and most have been positive. MOVIEDEATHBLOWS wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the film was “one of the funniest movies” they watched this year. They added, “It feels like equal parts Be Kind Rewind, Strange Wilderness, and the original Anaconda, all mixed with an absolutely unhinged sense of fun.”
They also said that the film features a sequence in its second half. It ranked “among the funniest scenes” they had “seen on screen.” The user concluded by urging fans to check out the film when it releases in theaters next week.
A user, Klepcx, called Anaconda “comedically unhinged” and noted that the film fully committed to making audiences laugh. “What starts as a surprisingly soft, almost sincere tale about dreamers quickly mutates into an over-the-top good time that knows exactly what it is,” they added. The user further stated that the movie was filled with “gags, jump scares, and wild surprises,” and that it demonstrated to Hollywood “the right way to reboot an IP.”
Yet another user, Nick L’Barrow, also shared a positive response, describing the film as “ridiculously funny.” They noted that it felt closer in tone to Tropic Thunder, which also starred Jack Black, than to the original Anaconda film. The user added that the movie’s “antics-filled ride” kept them laughing throughout the screening. While praising the performances of Black, Paul Rudd, and Steve Zahn, they highlighted Selton Mello as the film’s “MVP.” They also noted that the movie included “decent action, solid tension, and a few jump scares.” They said this reminded viewers they were watching an Anaconda film.
However, not all reactions were uniformly positive. A user identified as RobertoTylerOr1 offered a more mixed take, calling the first act “genuinely funny.” They stated that the film lost momentum once it leaned more heavily into action and horror. “The aging-and-regret angle is the most interesting part,” they added. “I just wish the movie knew what it was.”
Anaconda is set to premiere in theaters on December 25, 2025. Tom Gormican directed the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kevin Etten.
