The Little Shop of Horrors AIP distributed the film as the B movie for their release of Mario Bava's "Black Sunday". Despite being barely mentioned in advertising (it was only occasionally referred to as an "Added Attraction" to Bava's film), "Black Sunday"'s critical and commercial success resulted in positive word of mouth responses to "The Little Shop of Horrors". The film was re-released again the following year in a double feature with "Last Woman on Earth". Because Corman did not believe that "The Little Shop of Horrors" had much financial prospect after its initial theatrical run, he did not bother to copyright it, resulting in
The Little Shop of Horrors the film entering the public domain. Because of this, the film is widely available in copies of varying quality. The film was originally screened theatrically in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, but has largely only been seen in open matte at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 since its original theatrical release. The film's critical reception was largely favorable, with modern review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes giving the film a "Tomatometer" score of 91%. "Variety" wrote, "The acting is pleasantly preposterous. [...] Horticulturalists and vegetarians will love it." Jack Nicholson, recounting the reaction to a screening of the film, states that