Creature From the Black Lagoon

G

Released Mar 5, 1954

1h 19m

Horror

List

80%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Remnants of a mysterious animal have come to light in a remote jungle, and a group of scientists intends to determine if the find is an anomaly or evidence of an undiscovered beast. To accomplish their goal, the scientists (Antonio Moreno, Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Whit Bissell) must brave the most perilous pieces of land South America has to offer. But the terrain is nothing compared to the danger posed by an otherworldly being that endangers their work and their lives.

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Critics Consensus

A solid, atmospheric creature feature that entertains without attempting to be deeper than it needs.

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Milton Luban

Hollywood Reporter

It makes for solid horror-thrill entertainment.

Nov 16, 2014

Full Review

Steve Macfarlane

Slant Magazine

What distinguished Jack Arnold's pictures from mutant spinoffs/knockoffs is even more imperative to sci-fi today than it was in 1954: wonderment.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 11, 2012

Full Review

William Brogdon

Variety

Jack Arnold's direction has done a firstrate job developing chills and suspense, and James C. Havens rates a good credit for his direction of the underwater sequences.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

It remains an above-average B movie with a slick look and pace if few ideas.

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

Kristy Strouse

Film Inquiry

Creature From the Black Lagoon creates a moody ambiance around a simple core idea, executed excellently. It is a visually stunning and well-designed film that both entertains and thrills, leaving a lasting impression.

Nov 18, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[Jack] Arnold turns what is effectively a B movie plot—an expedition in the jungle captures a creature and it escapes to wreak havoc and kidnap the team’s sole woman—into a moody, stylish low budget feature.

Jan 7, 2023

Full Review

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TimELiebe

Fifties SF Classic, still holds up pretty well today, if you can forgive the smart female lead suddenly screaming every time the Gill-Man shows up! My friend found the 3D more effective than I did, and agreed that if it wasn't for the killing of the two bit players at the start the Gill-Man would have been a wholly sympathetic character who only attacked when threatened....

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/12/23

Full Review

Brad

Its hard to watch a classic monster movie like Creature, and not feel a sense of nostalgia (along with a CrEePiNg sense of underwater TeRrOr!!!). Millicent Patricks work on the Gilman creature was astounding, then, and holds up beautifully now. Scotty Welborns underwater Cinematography is still breathtaking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I grew up with the Universal Monster movies and found a 30 movie collection. They score is the one thing that stands out from this movie and for 1954 it has alot crazy scary moments. Love the suit . My 4th favorite Universal monster movie. 9/10 it's great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/30/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Man Vs. Monster, a classic trope in all the different forms of story. I actually really like this one because it doesn’t shy away from showing a lot of cool stuff. This film is kind of boring though, since a lot of the shots are just the monster or Mark and David swimming. When the action gets good, like at the climactic finale of the film, you start to understand why this one is loved. I like to think this film was the precursor to predator, and both franchises even had several films. I also kind of liked the love triangle thing going on with Kay, David, and Mark too. Added depth to the characters, revealing good background into them as well. Everyone else was just around to either help or get murdered, in some cases both. Is it a good film? Yeah it’s ok. I just don’t think it’s fantastic or anything. Watching anything past the 70’s is a difficult task sometimes, and this wasn’t as bad as I expected. 3/5 stars, a classic horror movie that doesn’t need revisiting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

Alex C

Made me lose my mind.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

NiB Y

I don't think i need to say anything that hasn't already been said. This is the ultimate monster movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

Full Review

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Jack Arnold

Director

Richard Carlson

David Reed

Julie Adams

Kay Lawrence

Richard Denning

Mark Williams

Antonio Moreno

Carl Maia

Nestor Paiva

Lucas

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Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - Underwater Hunt

2:24

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - Killing the Creature

2:02

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - Into the Creature's Lair

1:01

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - Dead or Alive?

1:30

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - The Creature's Hand

2:15

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - Snatched Off the Boat

1:24

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - The Creature Attacks

1:05

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - Underwater Stalking

2:55

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - The Creature, Captured

1:51

Creature from the Black Lagoon: Official Clip - The Creature Escapes

1:20

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Synopsis

Remnants of a mysterious animal have come to light in a remote jungle, and a group of scientists intends to determine if the find is an anomaly or evidence of an undiscovered beast. To accomplish their goal, the scientists (Antonio Moreno, Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Whit Bissell) must brave the most perilous pieces of land South America has to offer. But the terrain is nothing compared to the danger posed by an otherworldly being that endangers their work and their lives.

Director: Jack Arnold
Producer: William Alland
Screenwriter: Maurice Zimm, Harry Essex, Arthur A. Ross
Production Co: Universal International Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 19m

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