Eight Legged Freaks (2002)

Venomous spiders get exposed to a noxious chemical that causes them to grow to monumental proportions.

Director:

Ellory Elkayem

Writers:

Ellory Elkayem (story), Randy Kornfield (story)

Stars:

David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Terra

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Arquette	...	Chris McCormick
Kari Wuhrer	...	Sheriff Samantha Parker
Scott Terra	...	Mike Parker
Scarlett Johansson	...	Ashley Parker
Doug E. Doug	...	Harlan Griffith
Rick Overton	...	Deputy Pete Willis
Leon Rippy	...	Wade
Matt Czuchry	...	Bret
Jay Arlen Jones	...	Leon
Eileen Ryan	...	Gladys
Riley Smith	...	Randy
Matt Holwick	...	Larry
Jane Edith Wilson	...	Emma
Jack Moore	...	Amos
Roy Gaintner	...	Floyd

Storyline

After a long absence, Chris McCormick returns to his quiet hometown of Prosperity, Arizona, to reopen his late father's mines. However, a chemical spill and lethal toxic waste have created an unstoppable army of giant spiders who prey on the unsuspecting locals, turning Prosperity into an endless buffet. Now, it's up to Chris; Sheriff Sam Parker; her son Mike; Sam's plucky daughter, Ashley; the conspiracy theorist, Harlan, and a handful of survivors to stop the hairy menace, and save the town. But, who can stand in the way of the disgusting eight-legged freaks?

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Plot Keywords:

giant spider | town in panic | arizona desert | arizona | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

Do you hate spiders? Do you really hate spiders? Well they don't like you either.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, brief sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Scarlett Johansson, Scott Terra and Kari Wuhrer have all been attached to Marvel projects. Terra played a young Matt Murdock in Daredevil (2003), Wuhrer has voiced the character of Shield Agent Maria Hill in multiple Marvel animations, and most notably Johansson has portrayed Natasha 'Black Widow' Romanov in the MCU franchise.

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Goofs

When Chris is hugging Aunt Gladys, a hand is visible pulling on the dog that is supposed to be biting his leg.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Harlan: Do you know fear?

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Connections

Referenced in Carter: Harley Gets Replaced (2019)

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Soundtracks

Dim Memory
Written by Todd Jeremias, Sean Cannon
Performed by Soul Circle
Produced by Brett Eliason
Courtesy of Todd Songs Music International

User Reviews

If "Arachnophobia" made you shiver,this one will make you quiver.

If the movie "Arachnophobia" made you jump, gave you nightmares, or disturbed you enough that you are afraid to feel for a lightswitch in a dark,don't see "Eight Legged Freaks". This one has the feel of late 50's -early 60's horror/sci-fi movies without the phony looking monsters. These spiders looked REAL and their movements were orchestrated in such a way that you felt like you were really watching giant spiders on the screen. I can't say any of the human actors had really stand-out performances, because the spiders were the stars of this one. I will say that this movie and "Spider-Man" have the potential to interest young budding arachnophiles to take a serious look at the scientific side of spiders. Each of these movies gives the scientific names and characteristics of the different spiders involved(before the radiation takes effect),and does a super job of presenting their habits and idiosyncrasies. The only thing that might be questioned in either movie is the aggressiveness of the arachnids portrayed(perhaps this is the fault of the radiation as well). I give this movie "eight digits up" for sheer entertainment value.

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros [France] Warner Bros [UK]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arac Attack

Filming Locations:

Tonopah, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,485,458, 21 July 2002

Gross USA:

$17,322,606

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,867,333

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1