When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.
Director:
Joe Dante
From metacritic.com
Richard Madden shares why this was the role for him, and what he swiped from the "Game of Thrones" set.
Related News
-
‘Nightmare Cinema’ Anthology Acquired by Cranked Up Films
08 November 2018 | Bloody-Disgusting.com -
Netflix and Chills: 31 Days of Halloween Viewing on Netflix, Part 4
30 October 2018 | TVovermind.com -
From Streams to Screams: 27 Horror Comedies You Can Stream This Halloween Weekend
26 October 2018 | DailyDead
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Piranha (1978)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
1 win & 1 nomination.
See more awards »
Learn more
More Like This
Piranha II: The Spawning
(1981)
Drama
|
Horror
|
Romance
Directors:
James Cameron,
Ovidio G. Assonitis, and 1 more credit »
Stars:
Tricia O'Neil,
Steve Marachuk,
Lance Henriksen
Piranha 3D
(2010)
Comedy
|
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Alexandre Aja
Stars:
Elisabeth Shue,
Jerry O'Connell,
Richard Dreyfuss
Piranha
(1995)
Horror
Director:
Scott P. Levy
Stars:
William Katt,
Alexandra Paul,
Monte Markham
Alligator
(1980)
Horror
|
Sci-Fi
|
Thriller
Director:
Lewis Teague
Stars:
Robert Forster,
Robin Riker,
Michael V. Gazzo
Piranha 3DD
(2012)
Comedy
|
Horror
Director:
John Gulager
Stars:
Danielle Panabaker,
Ving Rhames,
David Hasselhoff
The Howling
(1981)
Horror
Director:
Joe Dante
Stars:
Dee Wallace,
Patrick Macnee,
Dennis Dugan
Humanoids from the Deep
(1980)
Horror
|
Sci-Fi
Directors:
Barbara Peeters,
Jimmy T. Murakami
Stars:
Doug McClure,
Ann Turkel,
Vic Morrow
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Bradford Dillman | ... | Paul Grogan | |
| Heather Menzies-Urich | ... | Maggie McKeown (as Heather Menzies) | |
| Kevin McCarthy | ... | Dr. Robert Hoak | |
| Keenan Wynn | ... | Jack | |
| Dick Miller | ... | Buck Gardner | |
| Barbara Steele | ... | Dr. Mengers | |
| Belinda Balaski | ... | Betsy | |
| Melody Thomas Scott | ... | Laura Dickinson (as Melody Thomas) | |
| Bruce Gordon | ... | Colonel Waxman | |
| Barry Brown | ... | Trooper | |
| Paul Bartel | ... | Mr. Dumont | |
 |
Shannon Collins | ... | Suzie Grogan |
|
|
Shawn Nelson | ... | Whitney |
| Richard Deacon | ... | Earl Lyon | |
|
|
Janie Squire | ... | Barbara Randolph |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal. Written by Concorde - New Horizons (with permission).
Taglines:
They're here...Hungry for flesh! Who can stop them? See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 August 1978 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Piraña See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$600,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$6,000,000Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$16,000,000Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (TV)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Paul Grogan: Well, I haven't seen them. You talk to the sheriff's people?
Maggie McKeown: I did. They told me that it's a pretty big mountain area.
Paul Grogan: It is.
Maggie McKeown: So... I was wondering if there are any places around here they might be or if they may have gone for a swim.
Paul Grogan: Well if they drowned, they'd be swept down to the dam. So, you're starting off at the wrong end.
Maggie McKeown: Boy, you're the wrong end all ...
See more »
(uncredited)
Traditional camp song
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Entertainment Weekly ranked this Number Nine on their "Guilty Pleasures: Testosterone Edition" list in their March 30, 2007 issue. See more »Goofs
As Dr. Hoak is attacked by a piranha, he gets onto a raft and his sweater alternates between torn and intact. See more »Quotes
Maggie McKeown: Mr. Grogan, I'm looking for two teenagers that disappeared a few weeks ago. Some friends of theirs said they went camping around here.Paul Grogan: Well, I haven't seen them. You talk to the sheriff's people?
Maggie McKeown: I did. They told me that it's a pretty big mountain area.
Paul Grogan: It is.
Maggie McKeown: So... I was wondering if there are any places around here they might be or if they may have gone for a swim.
Paul Grogan: Well if they drowned, they'd be swept down to the dam. So, you're starting off at the wrong end.
Maggie McKeown: Boy, you're the wrong end all ...
See more »
Crazy Credits
The title sinks into the pond water at the start, and turns it blood red. Over the end credits, we hear the sound of piranhas swimming in the ocean. The water turns red as well. See more »Soundtracks
Great Green Gobs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts(uncredited)
Traditional camp song
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
Explore popular movies available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Debut film of B horror director Joe Dante is this fun, exciting Jaws spoof that's the best of its kind!
A school of deadly, mutant piranha is released from a government laboratory and it's up to an alcoholic man and his detective love-interest to warn folks down stream!
A fast-paced, campy, and humorous ride all the way, Piranha is a genuinely entertaining B film that recalls not only Jaws but many of the classic monster flicks of the 50's. The screenplay by John Sayles has lots of good suspense and a witty kind of humor. Dante's direction is nicely done, keeping the energetic mood of the film high. The special FX aren't half bad, especially considering the limited budget. In fact the movie packs some truly gory images. Pino Donaggio's music score is beautifully well done.
Stars Bradford Dillman and Heather Menzies are quite good, making for some amusing and unlikely heroes. The supporting cast is good as well and has a number of veteran actors - Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Dick Miller, and Barbara Steele.
Over all, Piranha is a good old-fashioned horror delight for genre fans. See it!
**** out of ****