Monsters: 102

Deep Blue Sea (1999) is an American science fiction horror film directed by Renny Harlin. In a remote underwater facility, doctors Susan McCallister and Jim Whitlock are conducting research on mako sharks to reactivate dormant human brain cells found in Alzheimer’s disease patients. This leads to chaos when one of the sharks escapes and attempts to attack a boat full of young adults. In response, corporate executive Russell Franklin is sent to investigate. While testing a certain protein complex removed from the largest shark’s brain tissue, Jim loses his arm when the shark awakens in the laboratory. The ...

Based on the 1949 film of the same name, Mighty Joe Young (1998) is a grandiose movie. The plot revolves around a colossal mountain gorilla, Joe, who is taken to a wildlife reserve in Los Angeles by his young caretaker and a zoologist, for his safety against poachers. The film was expertly directed by Ron Underwood. During her childhood, Jill Young and her mother Ruth, who is a primatologist, conduct research on mountain gorillas in the Pangani Mountains of Central Africa. One day, while observing an infant gorilla and its mother, Jill names him Joe. However, their peaceful life is disturbed when poachers led by Andrei ...

Phantoms (1998) is a science fiction horror film based on Dean Koontz’s novel of the same name. The movie, directed by Joe Chappelle and written by Koontz, follows Dr. Jennifer Pailey as she brings her sister Lisa to Snowfield, Colorado – a small ski village nestled in the Rocky Mountains where Jenny works. However, upon their arrival, they discover that the town is eerily deserted save for a few lifeless bodies. As they initially suspect a serial killer on the loose, Sheriff Hammond and his deputies are already ...

Godzilla (1998), an American monster film directed and co-written by Roland Emmerich, follows the aftermath of a military nuclear test in French Polynesia. A giant creature attacks a Japanese cannery vessel in the South Pacific Ocean, leaving only one fisherman alive. NRC scientist Dr. Niko ‘Nick’ Tatopoulos is conducting research on the effects of radiation on wildlife in the Chernobyl exclusion zone when he is approached by an official from the U.S. State Department with a special mission. In Tahiti, a mysterious Frenchman interrogates the survivor about his experience, to which he keeps responding with ...

Alien Resurrection (1997), an American science fiction horror film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and written by Joss Whedon, is set two hundred years after the events of Alien 3. The space vessel USM Auriga houses military scientists who have successfully cloned Ellen Ripley using DNA from blood samples taken before her death. In this clone, named Ripley 8, the Xenomorph queen’s DNA has been combined with Ripley’s own, resulting in enhanced strength and reflexes, acidic blood, and a psychic link with the Xenomorphs. The scientists harvest eggs from ...

The American science fiction action film, The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), takes place four years after the events on Isla Nublar. A British family unknowingly anchors their yacht near the nearby Isla Sorna, which is home to genetically engineered dinosaurs. During their visit, their daughter wanders off and is attacked by a pack of Compsognathus. Dr. John Hammond, who created the dinosaurs through his company InGen, invites mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm to his residence to discuss the incident. However, following the incident, Hammond’s nephew Peter Ludlow takes over control of InGen from him. Ian discovers that besides Isla Nublar, InGen also had a ...

The gothic horror film Mary Reilly (1996), directed by Stephen Frears, was adapted from Valerie Martin’s novel of the same name and written by Christopher Hampton. Upon her arrival as a maid in Dr. Henry Jekyll’s household, Mary develops a rapport with him and he starts relying on her help, much to the disapproval of his butler, Poole. Fascinated by the scars on Mary’s hand and neck, Jekyll examines them at her reluctance and learns they were caused by her abusive father locking her in a cupboard with rats ...

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) is an American sci-fi horror film, based on the novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. It was directed by John Frankenheimer. United Nations negotiator Edward Douglas survives a plane crash in the Java Sea and is rescued by a passing boat, where he meets Dr. Montgomery. After learning that the boat has no radio, Douglas is promised transportation to Timor by the captain. However, upon arriving at Montgomery’s destination, also known as ‘Moreau’s Island’, he is advised to disembark so that Montgomery can use the ...

Tremors II: Aftershocks (1996) is the direct-to-video sequel to the popular comedy horror film, Tremors. Set years after the first film, it follows Val McKee and Earl Basset’s new lives. Val has married Rhonda LeBeck and Earl has invested his wealth into an ostrich ranch which is now struggling. One day, Carlos Ortega seeks Earl’s help with a dangerous problem – Graboids have been attacking workers at an oil field in Chiapas, Mexico. After some hesitation, Earl agrees to hunt down the creatures upon hearing that he will be paid $50,000 for each one he kills. He is also tempted by Ortega’s offer to double the payment if he captures a live ...

The Outer Limits (1995–2002), a revival of the classic television series that originally aired from 1963 to 1965, returned to viewers’ screens between 1995 and 2002. Like its predecessor, The Outer Limits presents an anthology of unique episodes, often with unexpected plot twists. While maintaining the anthology format, the remake also incorporated occasional recurring story arcs, which were then brought together in season-finale clip shows. This modern revival of the science fiction horror show explores aliens and frequently includes twist endings. In some cases, a storyline introduced in one episode will continue in a later installment.

The Langoliers (1995), a two-part horror miniseries, was both directed and written by Tom Holland. It is based on the novella by Stephen King from the book Four Past Midnight, which consists of four parts. During a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Boston, most of the passengers and crew disappear after flying through a strange light. Their personal belongings are all that remain. The remaining passengers were asleep during the event and include pilot Brian Engle, deadheading on the flight, an enigmatic Englishman named Nick, schoolteacher Laurel Stevenson, tool ...

The American science fiction action film, Jurassic Park (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Gerald R. Molen, tells the story of industrialist John Hammond creating a theme park on a tropical island called Isla Nublar. The park is filled with cloned dinosaurs and attracts the attention of lawyer Donald Gennaro, who represents the investors. In response to a Velociraptor attack on one of the handlers, the investors demand a safety certification. Chaotician Ian Malcolm is invited by ...

Alien 3 (1992) is an American science fiction horror film directed by David Fincher and written by David Giler, Walter Hill, and Larry Ferguson, from a story by Vincent Ward. The movie encountered various challenges during production, such as filming without a script and the involvement of different screenwriters and directors. Fincher, who was making his feature directorial debut, stepped in to direct after Ward’s ...

Critters 3 (1991) is the third installment in the American science fiction comedy horror series directed by Kristine Peterson. Following the events of Critters 2: The Main Course, Charlie MacFadden continues his mission to track down the remaining Critters. While on their way, a family of three – consisting of protagonist Annie, her younger brother Johnny, and their father Clifford – make a stop at a rest stop due to a popped tire. Unbeknownst to them, Charlie warns them and Josh (the stepson of a corrupt landlord) about the Critters lurking around. As they leave the rest stop, a sneaky Critter ...

The movie Predator 2 (1990) is a science fiction action film written by Jim and John Thomas and directed by Stephen Hopkins. It takes place in Los Angeles ten years after the events of the first film and centers around a police officer who teams up with others to fight against an alien creature known as the Predator. The story is set during a heat wave in 1997 and follows a turf war between Colombian and Jamaican drug cartels. As the police engage in a shootout with these groups, the Predator watches from a distance. ...

Tremors (1990), an American monster comedy horror film directed by Ron Underwood, follows handymen Val McKee and Earl Bassett as they work in the isolated settlement of Perfection, Nevada. Growing tired of their jobs, the duo decides to leave for Bixby, the nearest town. As they depart, they stumble upon the lifeless body of resident Edgar Deems perched atop an electrical tower with his rifle in hand. The town’s doctor Jim Wallace determines that Edgar suffered from dehydration and was too afraid to climb down. Soon after, shepherd Fred and his flock are found dead by an unseen creature. Val and Earl discover ...

Monsters (1988–1991), an American syndicated horror anthology series, aired from 1988 to 1991 and was later rerun on the Sci-Fi Channel in the 1990s. It was created by producer Richard P. Rubinstein and his company Laurel Entertainment, who previously worked on Tales from the Darkside. While Tales sometimes delved into science fiction and fantasy, Monsters focused solely on horror. Each episode centers around a different monster (with few exceptions), ranging from an animatronic puppet on a children’s show to weapon-wielding lab rats. In the opening sequence of the program, a monster family living in ...

The animated comedy horror film, Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf (1988), was produced by Hanna-Barbera for syndication. Annually, Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania hosts a ‘Monster Road Rally’ where classic Hollywood monsters like Frankenstein’s monster and his wife Repulsa, gather to compete in a road race similar to Wacky Races. The winner is awarded the coveted ‘Monster of the Year’ title and other macabre prizes, announced by Dracula’s wife and co-host, Vanna Pira. However, this year there is a problem. The Wolfman has retired to Florida and will not be participating. Fearing cancellation of the race, ...

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988), an animated comedy horror, was produced by Hanna-Barbera for syndication in the Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10 series. The two, along with Scrappy-Doo, were hired to teach gym at Miss Grimwood’s Finishing School for Girls. Upon arrival, they discovered it was a school for daughters of supernatural beings such as Sibella (Count Dracula’s daughter), Elsa Frankenteen (daughter of Frankenteen Sr.), Winnie (daughter of the Wolfman), Phantasma (known as Phanty for short), and Tanis (named after an Egyptian city) – all inspired by Universal Monsters. The school also housed unique residents like a floating white hand, an ...

Critters 2: The Main Course (1988) is a US sci-fi comedy horror flick that marks Mick Garris’ directorial debut. On a desolate planet in outer space, the bounty hunters Ug and Lee, along with their human partner Charlie McFadden, embark on a mission to capture a deadly worm-like creature. After successfully defeating the creature, they depart from the planet. However, they soon receive new orders from Zanti, the leader of the High Council. He informs them about Krites being present on Earth and orders them to eliminate them immediately. Without delay, they head towards Earth but Ug notices Charlie’s troubled ...