Arachnophobia
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: July 18, 1990
8.3
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 51 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
43
Mixed:
6
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
Steven1981Apr 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 becauseArachnophobia 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
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6
drlowdonDec 26, 2020
When a new species of prehistoric spider is discovered in Venezuela and transported to a small California town it starts killing the town's residents.

Arachnophobia is an efficient enough comedy horror that will certainly have those afraidWhen a new species of prehistoric spider is discovered in Venezuela and transported to a small California town it starts killing the town's residents.

Arachnophobia is an efficient enough comedy horror that will certainly have those afraid of spiders hiding behind the sofa, but it never really excels enough to stand out from many other horror movies of the VHS era.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
amheretojudgeSep 8, 2018
lacks creativity and wider imagination..

Arachnophobia Arachnophobia is a plot driven horror about the protagonist who has a phobia for spiders and is now cornered to not only face those fears but stand against them in order to survive. Thelacks creativity and wider imagination..

Arachnophobia Arachnophobia is a plot driven horror about the protagonist who has a phobia for spiders and is now cornered to not only face those fears but stand against them in order to survive. The structure is familiar and follows a rudimentary process that is frankly off putting. The writing is weak and cheesy with poor editing that makes it chalky and inedible around the edges. The characters are one dimensional and undercooked, the conversations are pure debauchery that makes it look like it was either written for younger audience or was by. There is also a lot of unexpected sincerity on the rest of the material, the one that follows the investigation and Daniel's track which is obviously far away from the mind-numbing horrifying action. The art designing is plausible and deserves the credit for offering the horrifying and inedible images that makes the viewers cringe on their seat as it chills down the spine. The background score is taken for granted and amaturely loud with loose editing and pretentious cinematography. Daniel's portrayal is as always right on the note where the stakes are communicated through his performance especially all the episodes that are used to project the magnitude of his nightmares. Armed with a frail and juvenile script that collapses before it even builds its structure up, Marshall keeps the crisp alive with some jaw dropping sequences and execution skills that is decent enough to carry off such lofty premise. Weaving of a sequence that gives goosebumps, harrowing visual, a threat of such an eerie antagonist and Daniel's stellar performance are the high points of the feature. Arachnophobia lacks creativity and wider imagination, but what it can and does, is tug out the best from the mediocrity of its limited vision and foliate it on screen.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Movie3Jul 15, 2018
Corny, but terrifying. Those last 20 minutes especially get my anxiety going! FREAKY!!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
RichardSayreOct 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 freakedA 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
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
harvdog03Nov 20, 2018
It definitely achieved its purpose because I'm not a fan of spiders but I never really thought the film was all that good.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Tyrant719Sep 11, 2021
The Spielberg camp certainly thinks very little of people who aren’t from a big city. There is so much that could be good about this movie, but the incessant need to portray the story with this sitcom-like mentality really undercuts theThe Spielberg camp certainly thinks very little of people who aren’t from a big city. There is so much that could be good about this movie, but the incessant need to portray the story with this sitcom-like mentality really undercuts the horror of this movie. It’s like a Halloween episode of Friends or something. They also clearly utilized all the old Spielberg tropes (aside from the villains being Nazis). It’s just a mediocre movie. This is the type of stuff that apparently gets you the multi-billion dollar job of planning future Star Wars movies. I wonder why it all went bad with stuff like this as proof of Kathleen Kennedy’s brilliance…… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Computey18Mar 2, 2023
I now think I have Arachnophobia more than ever now. Not for the screamish.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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