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Tremors

Play trailer 1:51 Poster for Tremors PG-13 1990 1h 36m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Repairmen Val McKee (Kevin Bacon) and Earl Bassett (Fred Ward) are tired of their dull lives in the small desert town of Perfection, Nev. But just as the two try to skip town, they happen upon a series of mysterious deaths and a concerned seismologist (Finn Carter) studying unnatural readings below the ground. With the help of an eccentric couple (Reba McEntire, Michael Gross), the group fights for survival against giant, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh.
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Tremors

Tremors

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Critics Consensus

An affectionate throwback to 1950s creature features, Tremors reinvigorates its genre tropes with a finely balanced combination of horror and humor.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies 07/04/2022
Propelled by impressive practical effects, this is an oater-inflected monster movie which fully embraces its own icky absurdity and literally low culture – but the film’s hidden weapon is a strong focus on characterisation. Go to Full Review
Ty Burr Entertainment Weekly 01/22/2020
B+
Tremors is the Slacker of monster movies: bemused, improvisatory, willfully low-key. Go to Full Review
Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times 01/22/2020
It's a zippy melodrama for small-town America and small-towners at heart: well-executed kitsch for audiences that will still be amused at the notion that the bugs are getting so big, they'll drag us all down. Go to Full Review
Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week Oct 3
Tremors is a great reminder that even the larkiest genre movies can be craft-rich. Go to Full Review
David Day Horror Movie Talk Sep 18
8/10
Maybe the best part of Tremors is it’s intense focus on the characters instead of the monster. Sure, we see the monster but the focus of every scene is on the characters and getting the audience to empathize with them. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 11/11/2022
For fans of the genre, Tremors is a little late Christmas gift, but very well received. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jonathan 05/04/2021 Love that movie. Much better in the theater. Thank you for playing it. See more justice 05/01/2021 I absolutely love the fact that I watched such a classic in theaters!! It’s great that they do play backs with old movies!! See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Nov 30 Tremors, the 1990 cult-classic horror-comedy, remains one of those films that perfectly balances cheesy fun with genuine suspense. Revisiting it as an adult, you notice just how much cleverness went into the direction and storytelling, even if the creature effects are charmingly low-tech by modern standards. The underground monsters, known as Graboids, are both ridiculous and terrifying, giving the film a timeless sense of peril that keeps you engaged from start to finish. For anyone growing up in the early ’90s, Tremors was the kind of movie that made you pause before stepping outside, imagining something lurking beneath the soil. The performances are a key highlight. Kevin Bacon leads the cast with his trademark charm, grounding the chaos with relatability and humor. The supporting cast, including Fred Ward and Finn Carter, complements him perfectly, delivering performances that are over-the-top in all the right ways. Their interactions and comic timing elevate what could have been a simple monster movie into a memorable ensemble adventure. Every character has distinct traits, quirks, and reactions that make the stakes feel real, even when the situations are outlandishly absurd. One of the film’s strongest points is its screenplay. It manages to mix suspense, comedy, and character-driven drama seamlessly. The pacing is excellent, building tension in the right moments while allowing for comedic relief when necessary. The story feels cohesive and deliberately playful, yet it never undercuts the genuine danger posed by the Graboids. The balance of humor and horror ensures that viewers are constantly engaged, whether laughing at a character’s misfortune or holding their breath as a monster bursts through the ground. The direction by Ron Underwood deserves praise for how well it orchestrates both the action sequences and comedic beats. Even with limited special effects technology of the time, the film manages to create suspenseful, engaging sequences that are surprisingly effective. The subterranean attacks of the Graboids are handled with clever camera angles and timing that make the creatures feel more threatening than their rubbery design might suggest. The film’s environment—a small, isolated desert town—is fully utilized to heighten the sense of danger and claustrophobia. While the Tremors franchise eventually diluted the tension and charm of the original through sequels that leaned heavily into camp, the first film remains a high point. Its combination of memorable characters, creative monster design, and playful yet suspenseful tone makes it a standout in the monster movie genre. It’s a film that successfully entertains audiences of all ages, balancing scares and laughs without compromising either element. Ultimately, Tremors is a must-watch for fans of ’90s horror-comedy. It’s entertaining, suspenseful, and endlessly quotable, with a mix of practical effects, engaging performances, and clever writing that keeps it enjoyable even decades later. For anyone who has yet to see it, it’s a fun, thrilling adventure that remains surprisingly effective, and it’s one of those rare films that leaves a lasting impression long after the credits roll. See more Taylor H. @TH0809 Nov 18 It’s a tried-and-true sci-fi movie for a reason! My brother and I never missed a cable rerun growing up. The special effects look great! Way more realistic than CGI. That’s why so many 90s movie like this and Jurassic Park have held up so well! See more David M Nov 16 A poor man's Dune. Not so Shy Halud. Cornier than you remember, but that's a good thing. And Bacon sizzles. See more Zachary Jacob S Nov 8 Tremors is just a lot of fun! Likable characters, and phenomenal practical effects! The blend of horror and comedic elements really make this one shine for me! See more Read all reviews
Tremors

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Tremors

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Movie Info

Synopsis Repairmen Val McKee (Kevin Bacon) and Earl Bassett (Fred Ward) are tired of their dull lives in the small desert town of Perfection, Nev. But just as the two try to skip town, they happen upon a series of mysterious deaths and a concerned seismologist (Finn Carter) studying unnatural readings below the ground. With the help of an eccentric couple (Reba McEntire, Michael Gross), the group fights for survival against giant, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh.
Director
Ron Underwood
Producer
Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson
Screenwriter
S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock
Distributor
MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 19, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.5M
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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