“Alligator”, 1980
Director: Lewis Teague
This horror film tells the story of a giant alligator living in the sewers of Chicago, which becomes a menace to the city after being flushed down the toilet as a baby and growing to monstrous size on a diet of discarded laboratory rats treated with growth hormones.
Starring: Robert Forster, Robin Riker, Michael V. Gazzo, Dean Jagger, Sydney Lassick, Jack Carter, Perry Lang, Henry Silva, Bart Braverman, John Lisbon Wood;
Production year: 1980;
Genre: horror, science fiction;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “Alligator” on the website imdb.com
“Rogue”, 2020
Director: M.J. Bassett
Set in the Australian Outback, this action-adventure horror film follows a group of tourists on a wildlife cruise who find themselves stranded on a small mud island along with a man-eating crocodile that begins to hunt them down one by one. Although primarily about a crocodile, it taps into the same fears associated with alligators.
Starring: Megan Fox, Philip Winchester, Greg Kriek, Brandon Auret, Jessica Sutton, Kenneth Fok, Isabel Bassett, Adam Deacon, Sisanda Henna, Tamer Burjaq;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,2;
“Crawl”, 2019
Director: Alexandre Aja
A disaster horror film that combines the terror of a Category 5 hurricane with the horror of being trapped in a flooded house full of alligators. A young woman and her estranged father fight for their lives against the predatory creatures amidst the catastrophe.
Starring: Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper, Morfydd Clark, Ross Anderson, Jose Palma, George Somner, Anson Boon, Ami Metcalf, Tina Pribicevic, Srna Vasiljevic;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: horror, action, thriller, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “Crawl” on the website imdb.com
“Lake Placid”, 1999
Director: Steve Miner
This film combines horror with a touch of black comedy, set in rural Maine and revolves around a monstrous, 30-foot-long alligator lurking in a lake, turning a quiet vacation spot into a deadly trap for unwary tourists and locals.
Starring: Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson, Betty White, David James Lewis, Tim Dixon, Natassia Malthe, Mariska Hargitay, Meredith Salenger;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: horror, action, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 82 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Lake Placid” on the website imdb.com
“Black Water”, 2018
Director: Pavel Patriki
Inspired by true events, this Australian horror film centers around three tourists who find themselves stranded in a mangrove swamp being stalked by a huge, territorial saltwater crocodile. Though focused on a crocodile, it parallels the suspense and survival elements found in alligator movies.
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Al Sapienza, Courtney Blythe Turk, Jasmine Waltz, Aleksander Vayshelboym, Mark Sherman, Cathal Pendred, Kris Van Damme, Aaron O'Connell;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: action, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,7;
“Eaten Alive”, 1976
Director: Tobe Hooper
Directed by Tobe Hooper, this horror film features a psychotic hotel owner who kills his guests and feeds their bodies to his pet alligator, which lives in the swamp beside his hotel.
Starring: Neville Brand, Mel Ferrer, Carolyn Jones, Marilyn Burns, William Finley, Stuart Whitman, Roberta Collins, Kyle Richards, Robert Englund, Crystin Sinclaire;
Production year: 1976;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,5;
More information about the film “Eaten Alive” on the website imdb.com
While some titles may blend the characteristics of crocodiles and alligators, reflecting common confusion between these similar-looking reptiles, each of these films prominently features the fear, fascination, and visceral thrill that comes with stories of these predators.
In the murky waters of cinema, alligator-themed films have evolved from mere creature features to multifaceted tales that explore primal fears, environmental messages, and the boundaries between humanity and nature. While often relegated to the domain of B-movie entertainment, these films have nonetheless carved a niche that showcases the versatility of the genre, oscillating between sheer terror, dark comedy, and poignant survival dramas. The enduring appeal of alligator movies lies in their ability to tap into the visceral fear of being hunted by an apex predator, a timeless narrative that continues to captivate audiences. Through the lens of these cold-blooded creatures, filmmakers have managed to mirror societal anxieties, highlight human folly, and occasionally, celebrate the resilience of the human spirit against the odds. As cinema continues to evolve, alligator films remain a fascinating sub-genre, reminding viewers of the thin line that separates mankind from the natural world, and the lurking dangers that lie beneath the surface.
