The first Anaconda back in 1997 knew exactly what it was—part survival horror, part B-movie spectacle. It scared you with the snake, sure, but it also carried that unmistakable 90s sheen of “so bad it's good.” Now, Sony has decided to reboot the jungle nightmare, and judging by the September 17 trailer, they've gone in a direction no one really asked for: meta-comedy.
Paul Rudd and Jack Black headline as Griff and Doug, two middle-aged friends who attempt to remake Anaconda themselves, only to be confronted by the real thing. The trailer leans into slapstick and winking absurdity, tossing in quips like “I like big snakes and I cannot lie” to market itself as a hybrid of parody and action. It's directed by Tom Gormican (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent), co-written with Kevin Etten, and lands in theaters on December 25, 2025.
The problem—or the appeal, depending on who you ask—is that the tone is pure comedy. Social media responses to the trailer have been all over the map. One user wrote, “Seems good. I'll watch,” while another quipped, “So it's Tropic Thunder but with a giant snake.” Others were less forgiving: “The practical snake was so much scarier than this cg slop” and “It's not horror or terror, it's comedy my friends.” Another bluntly called it “one of the worst trailers I have ever seen.”
There are defenders, too. “We need more comedy/horror. This looks so ridiculous but good,” one fan posted. “If there was any way to reboot Anaconda, this was it.” That tension—between nostalgia for campy terror and a taste for absurdist humor—might be the only reason this reboot exists at all.
Casting hasn't been immune to criticism either. A few users took issue with Jack Black's presence, with one saying flat-out: “Will not be spending a single cent on this.” Others leaned into mock enthusiasm: “Best Movie. Best Actor. Best other actor. Best Actress. Soundtrack of the Year. And Steve Zahn. I'm calling it right now.”
Looking at the trailer itself, the shift is clear. The original Anaconda thrived on swampy dread and its mix of star power—Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, and a hulking snake puppet that still unsettles in retrospect. This new version is drenched in neon greens, exaggerated CGI, and exaggerated midlife crisis gags. It's more Jumanji reboot than survival horror. The marketing makes no attempt to hide it. This isn't about replicating scares; it's about repackaging a recognizable IP as holiday counter-programming.
Does it work? Well, the audience reaction says everything. Divisive by design, it seems aimed at those who want their popcorn monster movies served with a wink. But for anyone who remembers the sweaty, claustrophobic terror of that 1997 jungle, this Christmas reboot may feel less like a rebirth and more like a punchline.
What to Keep in Mind About the New Anaconda
- Confirmed Release Date
Sony Pictures will debut the reboot in theaters on December 25, 2025, positioning it as holiday counter-programming. - Tone Shift from Horror to Comedy
Unlike the 1997 film's survival-horror roots, this version embraces slapstick, meta jokes, and absurd humor. - Mixed Fan Reactions
Online responses range from “best idea yet” to “one of the worst trailers ever,” showing just how polarizing the approach is. - Casting Spotlight
Paul Rudd and Jack Black's chemistry anchors the film, joined by Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, Selton Mello, and Daniela Melchior. - Marketing Angle
Sony isn't pretending this is scary; instead, it's packaged as a playful creature comedy with a knowingly ridiculous tagline.
Would you buy a ticket for a snake played for laughs, or is this reboot dead on arrival for you?
