More than a quarter of a century since its release, the monster movie classic Lake Placid continues to frighten filmgoers as it lands on Shudder this July. As a comedy horror with an all-star cast, this giant crocodile movie’s reputation as a cult favorite has only grown in the decades since its release.

Featuring major stars such as Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Brendan Gleeson, and a memorable appearance from the late Betty White, the smart thrills and monster mayhem of Lake Placid blended horror and humor with biting precision. This slick, self-aware B-movie creature feature knew exactly what it was and delivered everything audiences could want from a fast-paced horror comedy.

Lake Placid Has A New Home On Shudder

It’s Been Streaming On The Platform Since July 1

As a streaming platform known for its incredible selection of horror, thriller, and suspense movies, Lake Placid fits in perfectly among the scary movies and supernatural frills of Shudder. Set in the fictional town of Black Lake, Maine, the story follows police and scientists’ attempts to capture and kill a giant crocodile that has broken loose to terrorize the population.

With the classic premise of man versus beast, but also the cultural clash between rural and urban environments, Lake Placid showcased how the different ideals of citizens and professionals informed how they wished to address the crocodile problem. Among the exceptional cast was Betty White, giving one of her best performances as the hilarious, elderly neighbor Mrs. Delores Bickerman.

The response to Lake Placid upon release was mixed, and famed film critic Roger Ebert even added it to his worst films of the year list and awarded it an abysmal one star. However, time has been kind to this creature feature, and looking back, it can now be enjoyed for the fun-filled B-movie pastiche that it is.

Our Take On Lake Placid

This Horror Still Holds Up All These Years Later

Returning to Lake Placid 26 years after its release, it’s clear this is a movie with a lot to offer for fans of outrageous comedy horrors. While there’s enough self-aware humor to keep things light and entertaining throughout, the appeal of this Steve Miner film was that it also worked well as a genuine horror movie, complete with terrifying crocodile visuals.

Miner is a filmmaker with plenty of experience with iconic horror franchises, as he’s previously directed entries in the Friday the 13th and Halloween series. With this came the ability to balance action, comedy, and horror and deliver Lake Placid in a way that could stand the test of time and still frighten viewers more than a quarter of a century later.

Source: Roger Ebert