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The Killer Shrews

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The Killer Shrews

Released Jun 25, 1959

1h 9m

Sci-Fi

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

24%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Capt. Thorne Sherman lands his ship on an isolated island to make a delivery, only to find that mad doctor Marlowe Craigis is experimenting on shrews in an attempt to shrink them. The opposite happens, and the shrews become enormous and hungry for human flesh, leaving everyone on the island in peril, including the doctor's pretty daughter, Ann, and her unappealing fiancé, Jerry. Then, Thorne tries to organize an escape plan.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Every time a “shrew” is shown, one expects it to sit, roll over, or extend its paw.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 4, 2023

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Rob Humanick

Suite101.com

Not particularly watchable until the climax.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 26, 2011

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

If you get a few laughs from the bizarre acting and dumb story, that's the most you can expect from this bad film.

Rated: C-

Dec 15, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Nov 2, 2005

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Linda Cook

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Rated: 3/5

May 8, 2005

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Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Carpet remnants attack! Very funny "MST3K" version, unwatchable on its own.

Rated: 0/5

Jul 17, 2003

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Charles B

The so-called critics panning this surprisingly frightening b-film are a little too impressed with themselves. Of course this film was low budget, but that doesn’t mean it’s a poor film. This movie scared millions of kids in the 60s/70s, including me. And even watching it as an adult, I’m impressed by its clever production. The shots of the shrews through the fence and the sound they make is truly creepy. The film has great pacing, decent acting, and is highly atmospheric. This film is visceral — tapping into common human fears, especially those of children. If you’re looking for a good, b&w popcorn movie, The Killer Shrews is a great way to cuddle up with a loved one and enjoy 69 minutes of classic b-cinema on a Saturday night. Btw, audiences loved this film at its release. It grossed more than one million dollars at the box office. Not bad for cheap, drive-in fodder.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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Dallas H

Wow, the visual design of the shrews is horrendously cheesy. The constant switch back and forth between hand puppets and dogs wearing costumes is laughable. I cannot believe someone thought investing money in producing a sequel and reboot decades later would be worthwhile.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

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Audience Member

Love it actually! 4/5. I enjoyed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

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Liam D

Even by B 50s/60s movie standards. This is an lazy bordering on unwatchable with effects that are laughable, an terrible story and cheesy acting

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/02/24

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CodyZamboni Z

Cheap looking, amatuerish, un scary, and poorly acted, Worst of all, it's boring, A silly tale of giant poisonous hungry shrews, snacking on their human creators,

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

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Ted B

1.5 stars. I know this was a low-budget drive-in-style movie from the late 1950s, but the film's special effects and acting were so bad that I can't help but wonder if it's not a spoof in the vein of "Plan 9 from Outer Space."

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

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Ray Kellogg

Director

James Best

Thorne Sherman

Ingrid Goude

Ann Craigis

Baruch Lumet

Dr. Marlowe Craigis

Ken Curtis

Jerry Farrell

Gordon McLendon

Dr. Radford Baines

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Synopsis

Capt. Thorne Sherman lands his ship on an isolated island to make a delivery, only to find that mad doctor Marlowe Craigis is experimenting on shrews in an attempt to shrink them. The opposite happens, and the shrews become enormous and hungry for human flesh, leaving everyone on the island in peril, including the doctor's pretty daughter, Ann, and her unappealing fiancé, Jerry. Then, Thorne tries to organize an escape plan.

Director: Ray Kellogg
Producer: Ken Curtis
Screenwriter: Jay Simms
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1959, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 9m

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