Spider Baby

Released Dec 24, 1967

1h 20m

Horror

Comedy

List

94%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

76%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

Chauffeur Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.) looks after three strange siblings at their family estate. Ralph (Sid Haig), Virginia (Jill Banner) and Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) all suffer from an inherited condition: a genetic disorder that causes a reversal in mental age and results in a crazed, childlike disposition. Because of his affection for the family, Bruno covers up the siblings' bizarre behavior and crimes. But, when relatives arrive at the family estate, the truth is bound to come out.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

[Spider Baby is] one of those lurid, macabre, amusingly exaggerated B-horror movies beloved by the psychotronic/Joe Bob Briggs crowds.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 5, 2019

Full Review

Jeremiah Kipp

Slant Magazine

Though hampered by bad distribution deals and multiple title changes, word of mouth helped Spider Baby to connect with fans of schlock cinema.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 29, 2007

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Simultaneously creepy and hilarious, this is the perfect slice of Grand Guignol for a humid summer's night.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Jason Shawhan

Nashville Scene

An inspiration to Rob Zombie, this down-and-dirty black-and-white tale of a family crippled by generations of inbreeding and homicidal impulses is delirious and freaky.

Sep 10, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A one-of-a-kind oddity.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 28, 2020

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Spider Baby is a generously entertaining cult item worthy of wider recognition.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 27, 2020

Full Review

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Thom G

A creepy, crazy, gripping horror classic !

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

Full Review

Ricky R

An early horror comedy gem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/05/23

Full Review

Jonathan C

An odd episode of the Addams Family. Spider Baby is just another of those film's that makes my weird and insane self feel a bit normal. I have never heard of Jack Hill but for this being the first film of his I've seen I'm very impressed. The direction here great and the odd visual style feels very off but, it works for this kind of story. Jack Hill does his best not in the direction but the writing. He really makes us connect and sympathize for this odd family of freaks. Lon Chaney Jr. was fantastic and could have done this performance with solely his face expressions (not surprising as his father was the great Lon Chaney). Jill Banner and Beverly Washburn was phenomenal and I don't know how they weren't film stars in the 60s and 70s. These 3 performances carried the movie entirely. The score was surprisingly great considering that it comes from Ronald Stein who I have never heard of before. The only complaint that I have (which is actually more of a complement) is that the film has a short runtime. The story didn't have enough to make it last at least 110 minutes so, it's understandable that this was less than 90 minutes; however, I would have like for this film be longer because of how much I fell in love with the performances and characters. All in all, Spider Baby was a very enjoyable and solid little weird film that has unfortunate faded into obscurity.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/28/23

Full Review

Michael W

I really enjoyed this movie. Partly because it was so original. I watched The Haunting of Hill House And The Bat awhile back and to me, they weren't much better than Plan 9 From Outer Space! Also, even tho I am 74 and I live in a nursing home, I still wanted to find out all I could about Beverly Washburn because she is a cutie and sexy! What is ironic is that tubi had a documentary about the 100 worst horror movies and they said Spider Baby was the worst horror movie ever made! Shoot, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 94% on their Tomatometer! :o) Watch it and I'm sure you'll find it a refreshing change.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/21

Full Review

michael d

It's a fun, quick lil quirky trip through weirdness.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Matthew D

Of course it's good, just look at that title!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/21

Full Review

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Jack Hill

Director

Lon Chaney Jr.

Bruno, The Chauffeur

Carol Ohmart

Emily Howe

Quinn K. Redeker

Peter Howe

Beverly Washburn

Elizabeth

Jill Banner

Virginia

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Synopsis

Chauffeur Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.) looks after three strange siblings at their family estate. Ralph (Sid Haig), Virginia (Jill Banner) and Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) all suffer from an inherited condition: a genetic disorder that causes a reversal in mental age and results in a crazed, childlike disposition. Because of his affection for the family, Bruno covers up the siblings' bizarre behavior and crimes. But, when relatives arrive at the family estate, the truth is bound to come out.

Director: Jack Hill
Producer: Gil Lasky, Paul Monka
Screenwriter: Jack Hill
Distributor: American General Pictures
Production Co: Lasky-Monka
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 24, 1967, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2011
Runtime: 1h 20m

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