Critics are loving '10 Cloverfield Lane,' the first surprise hit movie of 2016

In 2008, J.J. Abrams unleashed a different kind of monster movie on the world with "Cloverfield." The producer worked with director Matt Reeves (who would go on to do "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes") and screenwriter Drew Goddard (Oscar-nominated this year for "The Martian") on the found-footage thriller about a creature that attacks New York City.

The movie made a modest box office of $170 million worldwide (a success given its equally modest budget of $25 million), and was basically written off as a fun lark for three friends.

Then a few months ago, when the trailer for "10 Cloverfield Lane" went online, everyone realized that Abrams (the only member of the trio from the original to return) had pulled off making a sequel with very few knowing it was even in the works.

Opening today and backed with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (it's projected to make around $20 million this weekend), "10 Cloverfield Lane" isn't just the first surprise hit of the year. It could also be the launch of a franchise. As our review of the movie proclaims: "This looks like the start of something great."

Here's why the critics are so in love with this movie.