'
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Arachnophobia

Play trailer Poster for Arachnophobia PG-13 1990 1h 49m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
After a nature photographer (Mark L. Taylor) dies on assignment in Venezuela, a poisonous spider hitches a ride in his coffin to his hometown in rural California, where arachnophobe Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels) has just moved in with his wife, Molly (Harley Jane Kozak), and young son. As town residents start turning up dead, Jennings begins to suspect spiders, and must face his fears as he and no-nonsense exterminator Delbert McClintock (John Goodman) fight to stop a deadly infestation.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Arachnophobia

Arachnophobia

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Arachnophobia may not deliver genuine chills, but it's an affectionate, solidly built tribute to Hollywood's classic creature features.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (45) Critics Reviews
Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune [Goodman] is a quiet hoot, fancying himself as the last samurai in the battle against bugs. His performance takes the edge off the horror and makes ''Arachnophobia'' palatable for people of all ages. Rated: 3/4 Mar 7, 2021 Full Review James Ivory Sight & Sound The dexterity of the spiders as they merrily look for their prey is matched by the dexterity of Frank Marshall's direction in its nimbleness and sense of fun. Jan 11, 2020 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Frank Marshall's sophisticated feature directing debut never indulges in ultimate gross-out effects and carefully chooses both its victims and its means of depicting their dispatch. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) The film is passable entertaining. [Full review in Spanish] Nov 16, 2022 Full Review Eve Tushnet The Post NZ Great pacing, great payoffs for all its setups, exactly enough characterization but not too much–and, of course, spiders. What more can you ask for? May 23, 2022 Full Review Ryan Murphy Miami Herald Its screams are likely to be drowned out by a cacophony of joyful wails reverberating in the theaters when Arachnophobia creeps toward an edge-of-seat conclusion. Rated: 3/4 Aug 17, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Brad S. R While thrilling in all the right places, this adventure/horror flick also packs some wry satire and a much-needed send-up on the hostility of small town communities. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/24/25 Full Review Jonathan O The title speaks to itself for those who are very very afraid of spiders and it did very well made to make us scared and laughed to protect of those who are afraid of spiders and Frank Marshall who've produced all Spielberg's films you can tell what Frank is cooking and knows Spielberg work in the 80's and really fantastic cast and really clever writing and amazing spiders effects because there are scenes that which one is real or fake just like Hitchcock's The Birds. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Michael B The movie isn’t a full on horror, but will scare some arachnophobes, decent acting. The film really pays tribute to animal-against-human movies, and the special effects are solid. Good movie to see if you like these jaws-inspired movies. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/20/24 Full Review Daniel J Still in the top 5 of my favorite animal horror movies: Ambience, actors, acting, cinematography, athleticism... everything is just right. Found out here that the movie is rated so poorly here because people don't like spiders... then don't watch it and don't rate it. It's not called "Arachnophobia" for nothing! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/20/24 Full Review Célian D It is old... But it is still a must see and to me the BEST spider horror show ever. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/12/24 Full Review Lucas t Not as good as I remember, I rewatched it with my mum, probably last month and it didn't hold up, still good tho. 7/10. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Arachnophobia

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

Frank Marshall

Director

Jeff Daniels

Dr. Ross Jennings

Harley Jane Kozak

Molly Jennings

John Goodman

Delbert McClintock

Julian Sands

Doctor James Atherton

Stuart Pankin

Sheriff Lloyd Parsons

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
Jack the Bear 28% 59% Jack the Bear Watchlist Mystery Date 25% 41% Mystery Date Watchlist Man Trouble 7% 14% Man Trouble Watchlist High Spirits 31% 59% High Spirits Watchlist Another Stakeout 17% 28% Another Stakeout Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All Arachnophobia photos

Arachnophobia

Arachnophobia (1990) Arachnophobia (1990) Arachnophobia (1990) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After a nature photographer (Mark L. Taylor) dies on assignment in Venezuela, a poisonous spider hitches a ride in his coffin to his hometown in rural California, where arachnophobe Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels) has just moved in with his wife, Molly (Harley Jane Kozak), and young son. As town residents start turning up dead, Jennings begins to suspect spiders, and must face his fears as he and no-nonsense exterminator Delbert McClintock (John Goodman) fight to stop a deadly infestation.
Director
Frank Marshall
Producer
Kathleen Kennedy, Richard Vane
Screenwriter
Don Jakoby, Al Williams, Wesley Strick
Production Co
Hollywood Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$53.2M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now