Alligator
Seen it?1980 | 91 min | Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, horror fans and sci-fi fans. If you loved The Fly or Clayface, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A baby alligator is flushed down a toilet and survives by eating discarded lab animals that have been injected with growth hormones. The now gigantic animal escapes the city sewers and goes on a rampage, pursued by a cop and a big-game hunter.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 76K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Fly
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed horror film.
Clayface
Saturday SpecialAnother sci-fi thriller, and a Saturday Special.
Die Alone Sunday Safe BetAnother sci-fi thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Weeknight WatchAnother fantasy film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Extinction Weeknight WatchAnother sci-fi thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Lewis Teague
- Robert ForsterDavid
- Robin RikerMarisa
- Michael V. GazzoChief Clark
- Dean JaggerSlade
- Sydney LassickGutchel
- Jack CarterMayor
- Perry LangKelly
- Henry SilvaBrock
- Bart BravermanKemp
- John Lisbon WoodMad Bomber