As the scorching summer heat settles in, there’s no better way to beat the rising temperatures than by diving into the chilling world of summer creature features. From lurking aquatic creatures to eight-legged terrors, these spine-tingling movies will keep you entertained and provide a much-needed cool escape.
Get ready to embrace the suspenseful and horrifying realm of monsters, creatures, and creepy crawly critters that will send cold shivers down your spine. From beloved classics to modern delights, here are ten must-watch summer creature features!
Universal
Tremors (1990)
Kicking off our list is the cult favorite Tremors. Set in a small desert town, this creature feature combines horror and comedy with giant underground worms known as Graboids. Starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, the film offers a perfect blend of thrills, humor, and memorable one-liners. The practical effects and suspenseful moments make it a must-watch for creature feature enthusiasts.
Universal
The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Travel back in time to the classic era of creature features with this iconic Universal monster movie. The Creature from the Black Lagoon tells the story of an Amazonian expedition that encounters a mysterious amphibious creature. With stunning underwater sequences and an unforgettable monster design, this film has become a cornerstone of the genre. Witness the birth of a legendary creature that has inspired countless filmmakers and artists since its release.
Orion Pictures
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
If you’re in the mood for a blend of horror and comedy, Return of the Living Dead is the perfect choice. This self-aware zombie film serves up a mix of gut-wrenching scares and dark humor as a horde of brain-hungry zombies are unleashed on a group of friends and a few unfortunate medical supply employees. With its punk-rock attitude and memorable characters, this undead romp is sure to keep you entertained while delivering plenty of goopy, gory, creature-filled moments.
Lionsgate
Alligator (1980)
Sink your teeth into the monstrous tale of Alligator.This creature feature takes the concept of urban legends to new depths as a baby alligator flushed down the toilet grows into a massive, man-eating reptile lurking in the sewers. With suspenseful scenes and practical effects that bring the colossal alligator to life, this lesser-known gem offers a thrilling ride through the dark underbelly of a city plagued by a toothy menace.
Walt Disney Studios
Arachnophobia (1990)
Spiders take center stage in this hair-raising horror-comedy. Arachnophobia follows a small town infested with deadly and aggressive spiders that leave a trail of arachnophobic terror in their wake. Directed by Frank Marshall and produced by Steven Spielberg, this film blends genuine scares with dark humor, resulting in an entertaining creature feature that will definitely make your skin crawl.
Magnolia Pictures
The Host (2006)
From acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon-ho comes The Host, a thrilling creature feature that defies conventions. This genre-bending film follows a dysfunctional family as they face off against a mutated creature emerging from Seoul’s Han River. Blending elements of horror, comedy, and social commentary, The Host is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant creature feature that showcases Bong Joon-ho’s masterful storytelling.
20th Century Fox
Lake Placid (1999)
Take a trip to a tranquil lake that hides a monstrous secret in Lake Placid. This creature feature combines humor and horror as a team of unlikely heroes faces off against a gigantic man-eating crocodile. With a talented ensemble cast including Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, and Betty White, the film delivers plenty of thrills and unexpected laughs. Dive into the waters of Lake Placid if you dare.
Columbia
Anaconda (1997)
Slithering its way into the list is Anaconda, a suspenseful adventure that explores the treacherous depths of the Amazon rainforest. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight, this creature feature focuses on a documentary film crew hunted by a massive and deadly anaconda. With tense moments and a memorable villain, the film offers a thrilling ride through the lush and dangerous jungle.
Warner Bros.
Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Prepare to face a town overrun by giant spiders in Eight Legged Freaks. Combining elements of horror and comedy, this creature feature pays homage to classic monster movies as a group of townsfolk fights back against the arachnid invaders. With a wink to the B-movie charm of the past and entertaining action sequences, Eight Legged Freaks delivers a fun-filled ride that will get under your skin.
Entertainment Studios
47 Meters Down (2017)
Delve into the depths of the ocean with 47 Meters Down, a thrilling survival horror film. When two sisters find themselves trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the sea, they must find a way to outsmart the relentless predators surrounding them. With tension-filled sequences and heart-pounding suspense, this underwater creature feature offers a thrilling and claustrophobic experience.
As the heat of summer intensifies, these ten must-watch creature features provide a chilling respite from the scorching temperatures. From the subterranean horrors of Tremors to the underwater terrors of 47 Meters Down, each film offers a unique and captivating experience within the creature feature genre. So grab some bug spray, turn down the lights, and let these spine-tingling movies transport you to a world of monstrous encounters and hair-raising thrills.
10 Must-Watch Summer Creature Features That Will Make Your Skin Crawl
As the scorching summer heat settles in, there’s no better way to beat the rising temperatures than by diving into the chilling world of summer creature features. From lurking aquatic creatures to eight-legged terrors, these spine-tingling movies will keep you entertained and provide a much-needed cool escape.
Get ready to embrace the suspenseful and horrifying realm of monsters, creatures, and creepy crawly critters that will send cold shivers down your spine. From beloved classics to modern delights, here are ten must-watch summer creature features!
Tremors (1990)
Kicking off our list is the cult favorite Tremors. Set in a small desert town, this creature feature combines horror and comedy with giant underground worms known as Graboids. Starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, the film offers a perfect blend of thrills, humor, and memorable one-liners. The practical effects and suspenseful moments make it a must-watch for creature feature enthusiasts.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Travel back in time to the classic era of creature features with this iconic Universal monster movie. The Creature from the Black Lagoon tells the story of an Amazonian expedition that encounters a mysterious amphibious creature. With stunning underwater sequences and an unforgettable monster design, this film has become a cornerstone of the genre. Witness the birth of a legendary creature that has inspired countless filmmakers and artists since its release.
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
If you’re in the mood for a blend of horror and comedy, Return of the Living Dead is the perfect choice. This self-aware zombie film serves up a mix of gut-wrenching scares and dark humor as a horde of brain-hungry zombies are unleashed on a group of friends and a few unfortunate medical supply employees. With its punk-rock attitude and memorable characters, this undead romp is sure to keep you entertained while delivering plenty of goopy, gory, creature-filled moments.
Alligator (1980)
Sink your teeth into the monstrous tale of Alligator. This creature feature takes the concept of urban legends to new depths as a baby alligator flushed down the toilet grows into a massive, man-eating reptile lurking in the sewers. With suspenseful scenes and practical effects that bring the colossal alligator to life, this lesser-known gem offers a thrilling ride through the dark underbelly of a city plagued by a toothy menace.
Arachnophobia (1990)
Spiders take center stage in this hair-raising horror-comedy. Arachnophobia follows a small town infested with deadly and aggressive spiders that leave a trail of arachnophobic terror in their wake. Directed by Frank Marshall and produced by Steven Spielberg, this film blends genuine scares with dark humor, resulting in an entertaining creature feature that will definitely make your skin crawl.
The Host (2006)
From acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon-ho comes The Host, a thrilling creature feature that defies conventions. This genre-bending film follows a dysfunctional family as they face off against a mutated creature emerging from Seoul’s Han River. Blending elements of horror, comedy, and social commentary, The Host is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant creature feature that showcases Bong Joon-ho’s masterful storytelling.
Lake Placid (1999)
Take a trip to a tranquil lake that hides a monstrous secret in Lake Placid. This creature feature combines humor and horror as a team of unlikely heroes faces off against a gigantic man-eating crocodile. With a talented ensemble cast including Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, and Betty White, the film delivers plenty of thrills and unexpected laughs. Dive into the waters of Lake Placid if you dare.
Anaconda (1997)
Slithering its way into the list is Anaconda, a suspenseful adventure that explores the treacherous depths of the Amazon rainforest. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight, this creature feature focuses on a documentary film crew hunted by a massive and deadly anaconda. With tense moments and a memorable villain, the film offers a thrilling ride through the lush and dangerous jungle.
Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Prepare to face a town overrun by giant spiders in Eight Legged Freaks. Combining elements of horror and comedy, this creature feature pays homage to classic monster movies as a group of townsfolk fights back against the arachnid invaders. With a wink to the B-movie charm of the past and entertaining action sequences, Eight Legged Freaks delivers a fun-filled ride that will get under your skin.
47 Meters Down (2017)
Delve into the depths of the ocean with 47 Meters Down, a thrilling survival horror film. When two sisters find themselves trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the sea, they must find a way to outsmart the relentless predators surrounding them. With tension-filled sequences and heart-pounding suspense, this underwater creature feature offers a thrilling and claustrophobic experience.
As the heat of summer intensifies, these ten must-watch creature features provide a chilling respite from the scorching temperatures. From the subterranean horrors of Tremors to the underwater terrors of 47 Meters Down, each film offers a unique and captivating experience within the creature feature genre. So grab some bug spray, turn down the lights, and let these spine-tingling movies transport you to a world of monstrous encounters and hair-raising thrills.
What are your favorite Creature Features? Join us in the Nightmare on Film Street Discord to have your say!