Arachnophobia

Name: Arachnophobia
Genre: Thriller, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Released: July 18, 1990
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Brian McNamara, Harley Jane Kozak, Henry Jones, James Handy, Jeff Daniels

1990

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 51 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 51 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: July 18, 1990 | PG-13

Starring: Brian McNamara, Harley Jane Kozak, Henry Jones, James Handy, Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, Julian Sands, Mark L. Taylor, Peter Jason, Stuart Pankin

Summary: A species of South American killer spider hitches a lift to the U.S. in a coffin and starts to breed and kill.

Director: Frank Marshall

Genre(s): Thriller, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Jay Boyar

A fast-paced thriller with a wicked bite and a sure sense of humor, it traps you in a web of suspense and makes you squeal with pleasure. [18 July 1990, p.E1]

Staff (Not Credited)

Arachnophobia expertly blends horror and tongue-in cheek comedy in the tale of a small California coastal town overrun by Venezuelan killer spiders. Frank Marshall’s sophisticated feature directing debut never indulges in ultimate gross-out effects and carefully chooses both its victims and its means of depicting their dispatch. Read full review

Empire Philip Thomas

An exciting and thoroughly enjoyable, experience. Read full review

Janis Froelich

Arachnophobia is a movie spun as carefully as a cobweb, and a whole lot more likeable than you'd expect from a film about creepy crawlers chomping on townsfolks. Credit first-time director Frank Marshall for the success as he expertly wrangles cast and spiders into an entertaining, three-star movie that moves so swiftly along that there's barely a minute to catch your breath. [20 July 1990, p.18]

John Semley

Arachnophobia isn’t great filmmaking, appearing to be kept in check by vaguely resembling Spielbergian entertainment without rising to its altitudes. But it’s a pleasant, acutely nostalgic elicitation of the VHS era and the woozy, preadolescent excitement of awaiting the next cranked-out Spielberg Xerox picture. Read full review

Janet Maslin

The specifics of the spider rampage have been very enjoyably executed by Mr. Marshall and particularly well played by Mr. Daniels, whose dryly self-deprecating manner and underlying decency make him an irresistible hero. Arachnophobia falters only when it becomes too broad, as in a dopey nod to Psycho that captures none of Hitchcock's formal elegance, and in various minor characters who serve as comic grotesques, like the town's potato-chip-munching mortician. Read full review

Jay Scott

A rip-off of The Birds, but not as scary. [21 July 1990]

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User Reviews

Steven1981

Apr 27, 2020

Arachnophobia is a strange film, because it's documented as being a horror comedy but I saw or found nothing whatsoever amusing in it or funny and if there was it's not enough to class it as a comedy. To me it's watered down horror because it's not really gory and it's a PG rated certificateArachnophobia is a strange film, because it's documented as being a horror comedy but I saw or found nothing whatsoever amusing in it or funny and if there was it's not enough to class it as a comedy. To me it's watered down horror because it's not really gory and it's a PG rated certificate film as far as I'm aware yet there's the elements of terror in it. It's pretty well made and the film starts with some guy getting biten by a spider and his corpse sent elsewhere yet when he reaches the other end in some box or something a spider has eaten all his skin from his corpse or sucked his body dry or something which is unsettling especially if a kid saw this so it's dumb it's a PG certificate. Jeff Daniels finds out he has a nest of spiders in his barn or something and spiders basically terrorise the people and locals. John Goodman was stupid and his character as an exterminator or something was unnecessary and I didn't find him the slightest bit funny, just crap basically and he's a horrible actor. Besides his crap performance all the cast were pretty good and the story was great and besides John Goodman's character the film didn't get stupid. It's a classic in my opinion and always carries tension and one of them films you can watch over and over and it's never boring. Directed in 1990 by Frank Marshall I'd say it's a classic especially for it's time but if you hate spiders then avoid this film, besides that it's a classic and even as a kid I found this great so it's earned it's place in the great movies list as far as I'm concerned and it's very original for it's time!!!!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

RichardSayre

Oct 3, 2021

A classic throwback and creepy creature feature, ARACHNOPHOBIA features a stellar cast and a remarkable tactic of using real life spiders throughout. It'll have you squirming and laughing in equal doses, and will certainly have you freaked out by these spiders regardless of your own phobias.A classic throwback and creepy creature feature, ARACHNOPHOBIA features a stellar cast and a remarkable tactic of using real life spiders throughout. It'll have you squirming and laughing in equal doses, and will certainly have you freaked out by these spiders regardless of your own phobias. An incredible thrillomedy with amazing effects and great cast, ARACHNOPHOBIA is a can't-miss for horror fans.… Expand