Arachnophobia (1990)

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

Writers:

Don Jakoby (story), Al Williams (story)

Stars:

Jeff Daniels, Julian Sands, John Goodman

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Daniels	...	Ross Jennings
Harley Jane Kozak	...	Molly Jennings
John Goodman	...	Delbert McClintock
Julian Sands	...	Dr. James Atherton
Stuart Pankin	...	Sheriff Parsons
Brian McNamara	...	Chris Collins
Mark L. Taylor	...	Jerry Manley
Henry Jones	...	Dr. Sam Metcalf
Peter Jason	...	Henry Beechwood
James Handy	...	Milton Briggs
Roy Brocksmith	...	Irv Kendall
Kathy Kinney	...	Blaire Kendall
Mary Carver	...	Margaret Hollins
Garette Ratliff Henson	...	Tommy Jennings (as Garette Patrick Ratliff)
Marlene Katz	...	Shelley Jennings

Storyline

A large spider from the jungles of South America is accidently transported in a crate with a dead body to America where it mates with a local spider. Soon after, the residents of a small California town disappear as the result of spider bites from the deadly spider offspring. It's up to a couple of doctors with the help of an insect exterminator to annihilate these eight legged freaks before they take over the entire town.

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Plot Keywords:

spider | arachnophobia | doctor | small town | spider bite | 

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Taglines:

The suspense of Alien! The excitement of Jaws! The fun of Back To The Future!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film released under Disney's Hollywood Pictures label, which was also created so the studio could release more adult-oriented fare.

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Goofs

Throughout the movie, The Queen spider makes several squeals or screams. Such as when she lunges at the professor. Spiders do not make these sounds. Although some can make a hissing sound, But definitely not the sounds we hear. These are simply added for a dramatic effect, and for those who already knew this, a comedic effect.

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Quotes

Delbert McClintock: Rock and roll!

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Connections

Referenced in Decloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain (2010)

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Soundtracks

Blue Eyes Are Sensitive To The Light
Written by Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly and Martika
Performed by Sara Hickman

User Reviews

Spiders!

Arachnophobia deserves a much higher rating and a lot more attention and fame than it got. Jeff Daniels is fantastic in it and John Goodman steals the show as an exterminator who is in way over his head. Julian Sands is also great.

It's about super deadly killer spiders who kill a researcher in South America then hitch a ride in his casket back to the United States where they begin a killing spree.

This movie is very funny and also has a lot of great scares in it. If spiders make you feel icky and or shiver then this is the movie for you. The use of real non-CGI spiders and good practical effects make the spiders much more menacing.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 July 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arachnophobia

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,045,760, 22 July 1990

Gross USA:

$53,208,180

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$53,208,180

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Tangled Web Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1