Critters

Critters

Year: 1986

Runtime: 86 min

Language: English

Director: Stephen Herek

Sci-FiHorrorComedy

A group of divers exploring the depths of Indonesia's Lembeh Strait encounters a hidden, underwater realm. This bizarre environment is teeming with strange and terrifying creatures, forcing the divers into a thrilling and dangerous struggle for survival as they navigate the unfamiliar landscape and its inhabitants.

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Critters (1986) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Critters (1986), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Sometime after the chaotic events that unfolded in Critters 2: The Main Course, we find Charlie MacFadden on a mission to eradicate the last remnants of the voracious extraterrestrial menace known as the Critters. His journey leads him to encounter a troubled family comprising the courageous protagonist Annie and her innocent little brother Johnny, along with their protective father, Clifford. Their plans are abruptly interrupted when they stop at a rest area, experiencing a tire blowout that sets the stage for an unforeseen catastrophe.

At the rest stop, Charlie warns the unsuspecting family and Josh, the stepson of a deceitful landlord, about the Critters lurking nearby. Little do they know that while they engage in conversation, a Critter is stealthily laying eggs beneath their car. Oblivious to the danger, the family resumes their journey, unknowingly transporting the vile eggs with them. Once they reach their tenement and the eggs hatch, chaos ensues as the Critters emerge, launching an attack on the sleazy maintenance man, Frank. The carnage continues when the greedy landlord arrives, only to meet a ghastly fate in the jaws of these menacing creatures.

In a twist of fate, Josh inadvertently locks the landlord in Clifford’s room, sealing his doom alongside the Critters. Panic escalates when one of the residents becomes the next target, suffering a gruesome attack. With danger closing in, Annie, her family, and a small group of survivors—including Josh—must band together to seek refuge on the roof of the building. Just when hope seems all but lost, Charlie arrives on the scene, armed with the determination to eliminate the remaining Critters, thus saving the terrified tenants from impending doom.

However, the film concludes with a gripping cliffhanger as Charlie approaches the last two Critter eggs, poised to destroy them. Just then, a mysterious authority from the Intergalactic Council intervenes, commanding him to refrain from annihilation. As if to heighten the tension, a containment pod crashes into the basement, leaving viewers anxiously awaiting the next chapter in this thrilling saga.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

Unlock the Full Story of Critters

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Critters Timeline

Track the full timeline of Critters with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Critters Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Critters

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Critters

More About Critters

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