Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- witty
- irreverent
- late night horror marathon
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics found an entertaining and affectionate 1950s creature-feature homage whose promising first half loses momentum and ideas in the second.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film openly pays homage to 1950s creature features such as Tarantula and Them! through its pulpy premise and playful tone.
A chemical spill and toxic waste cause ordinary spiders to become lethal giant predators.
The giant spiders are presented as disgusting and dangerous while the survivors, situations, and dialogue generate broad comedy.
Prosperity's sheriff, residents, and assorted survivors must defend the Arizona town from an expanding spider army.
Films like Eight Legged Freaks, and why
Tremors
Shared comedic monster-movie premise, practical creature spectacle, and affectionate engagement with classic science fiction horror.
Them!
Shared 1950s creature-feature homage, mutated animals, pulpy humor, and small-town survival stakes.
Arachnophobia
Shared giant-creature attacks, playful genre tone, ensemble survival, and science fiction horror spectacle.
Critters
Shared irreverent b-movie creature horror, escalating attacks, and comedic human survivors confronting an infestation.
Movie Details
- Director
- Ellory Elkayem
- Release Date
- 2002-07-17
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (1392)
Cast
- David Arquette
- Kari Wührer
- Doug E. Doug
- Scarlett Johansson
- Rick Overton
- Matt Czuchry
- Riley Smith
- Leon Rippy
- Randi Klein
- Terey Summers
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Eight Legged Freaks about?
- A returning miner and a resourceful sheriff rally Prosperity's eccentric survivors against a chemically enlarged army of ravenous giant spiders.
- What is Eight Legged Freaks like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Eight Legged Freaks as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Eight Legged Freaks violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Eight Legged Freaks as moderate.
- What did critics think of Eight Legged Freaks?
- Critics found an entertaining and affectionate 1950s creature-feature homage whose promising first half loses momentum and ideas in the second.
- Which films are like Eight Legged Freaks?
- Films with a similar feel include Tremors, Them!, Arachnophobia, and Critters.
- How long is Eight Legged Freaks?
- Eight Legged Freaks runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Eight Legged Freaks?
- In United States, Eight Legged Freaks streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
