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Timeline

Critters (1986) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1986 · 86 min · English
JustWatch #7,509 17
Directed by
Stephen Herek
Starring
Billy Green Bush, Dee Wallace, Billy Zane, M. Emmet Walsh, Terrence Mann, Don Keith Opper

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.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Critters
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Critters (1986)

Where can you watch Critters? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Tubi TV and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Critters Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Critters (1986) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Tire Popped at Rest Stop

    The MacFadden family, consisting of Annie, her brother Johnny, and their father Clifford, experience car trouble when their tire suddenly pops. They stop at a rest stop to address the issue, unaware of the danger lurking around them.

    Where
    Rest Stop
  2. Charlie's Warning

    Charlie MacFadden, a seasoned hunter of the Critters, encounters the family at the rest stop. He warns them and Josh, the stepson of a corrupt landlord, about the Critters that are on the loose, stressing the importance of being vigilant.

    Where
    Rest Stop
  3. Critters Lay Eggs

    Unbeknownst to the family, a Critter stealthily lays eggs beneath their car while they are distracted. This integral moment sets the stage for the impending chaos as the family unknowingly carries the eggs away with them.

    Where
    Under the Family's Car
  4. Arrival at the Tenement

    The family arrives at their tenement, where they believe it’s safe. However, to their horror, the Critters hatch shortly after their arrival and begin to wreak havoc.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  5. First Attack

    The Critters make their first attack by targeting Frank, a sleazy maintenance man in the building. This sudden assault catches Frank off guard, leading to a terrifying confrontation that sets off alarm bells for the residents.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  6. Landlord Falls Victim

    As chaos unfolds, the landlord arrives only to become the next victim of the Critters. The inhabitants watch in shock as their landlord is devoured, exacerbating their fears about the monstrous creatures on the loose.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  7. Josh's Misstep

    In a panic, Josh locks the landlord in Clifford's room, mistakenly trapping him with the very Critters that threaten them all. This decision reveals the extent of the confusion and the gravity of their situation.

    Where
    Clifford's Room
  8. Civilian Attacked

    Another resident falls victim to the Critters, suffering severe injuries during their assault. This injury prompts a frantic response from the remaining tenants, who realize they must band together for survival.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  9. Seeking Refuge

    Annie, her family, and five other tenants, including Josh, attempt to escape the imminent threat by fleeing to the rooftop of the building. Their escape plan unfolds in a frantic attempt to evade the Critters and find safety.

    Where
    Rooftop of the Tenement
  10. Charlie's Arrival

    Charlie arrives just in time to confront the remaining Critters. With his experience and resourcefulness, he fights back against the creatures, determined to protect the tenants from further harm.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  11. Critters Destroyed

    In a showdown, Charlie successfully destroys the remaining Critters, bringing momentary relief to the terrified group of survivors. This moment highlights Charlie's bravery and his battle against the monstrous pests.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  12. Cliffhanger Situation

    As the film reaches its climax, a cliffhanger arises when Charlie is poised to destroy two Critter eggs. However, he receives an unexpected order to refrain from doing so, raising questions about the implications of their destruction.

    Where
    Tenement Building
  13. Intergalactic Council's Arrival

    Just as tension peaks, a containment pod from the Intergalactic Council crashes into the basement of the tenement. This event hints at greater forces at play and adds an element of suspense about what will happen next.

    Where
    Basement of the Tenement

Last updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Timeline questions answered

Critters Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Critters (1986): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does the Intergalactic Council stop Charlie from destroying the last Critter eggs?

The Intergalactic Council intervenes to prevent Charlie from annihilating the remaining eggs, suggesting the Critters may have value or purpose to the galactic authorities. The Council's containment pod that crashes into the basement shortly after implies they wanted to retrieve the creatures alive rather than allow them to be destroyed.

  • intergalactic council
  • critter eggs
  • charlie macfadden
  • containment pod
Q2

Why does Josh lock the landlord in Clifford's room?

In a state of panic during the attack, Josh mistakenly believes he's containing the Critters by trapping the landlord in the room. His frantic decision to seal the door actually dooms the landlord, as the Critters are already inside the room when he locks it.

  • josh
  • landlord
  • clifford room
  • trapped
Q3

How did the Critter eggs get under the family's car?

While the family is distracted talking to Charlie at the rest stop, a Critter sneaks underneath their vehicle and lays its eggs. The family never notices the creature, and they unknowingly drive away with the Critter eggs attached to their car.

  • critter eggs
  • rest stop
  • car
  • hidden eggs
Q4

What happens to the landlord in Critters?

The landlord arrives at the tenement building during the chaos and becomes a victim of the Critters. Josh accidentally locks him in Clifford's room, where he is devoured by the creatures. His greedy and corrupt nature makes his demise a darkly comic moment in the film.

Foreshadowing: The landlord's earlier threats to evict the family for unpaid rent establish his unsympathetic character before his death.

  • landlord
  • death
  • eaten
  • critters attack
Q5

What is the containment pod that crashes at the end of Critters?

The containment pod is a special vessel dispatched by the Intergalactic Council that crashes into the building's basement. It suggests the authorities have arrived to collect the Critters rather than allow them to be destroyed, setting up the cliffhanger for the sequel.

  • containment pod
  • basement
  • intergalactic council
  • crash
Q6

Why does Charlie MacFadden specifically warn this family?

Charlie is a professional Critter hunter who tracks the creatures across different locations. He recognizes the family is in immediate danger and uses the rest stop encounter to warn them about the Critters, knowing the creatures are likely nearby and following them.

  • charlie macfadden
  • hunter
  • warning
  • family
Q7

Why do the Critters attack the tenement residents?

The Critters are carnivorous extraterrestrial predators that view humans as food. After hatching from the eggs hidden under the car, they systematically hunt through the building, attacking anyone they encounter in their path.

  • critters attack
  • hunters
  • predators
  • tenement
Q8

How does Annie help everyone survive the Critter attack?

Annie takes decisive action by leading the survivors to the rooftop to escape the Critters. She keeps the group together and maintains hope until Charlie arrives with the means to destroy the creatures and save them.

  • annie
  • survival
  • rooftop
  • escape
Q9

Why is Josh at the rest stop with the MacFadden family?

Josh is the stepson of the corrupt landlord. He's traveling with the MacFadden family at the time of the rest stop encounter, which puts him in the right place at the wrong time to witness the Critter threat firsthand.

Foreshadowing: The landlord's mention of Josh as his stepson explains his presence, though Josh clearly harbors resentment toward his stepfather.

  • josh
  • landlord stepson
  • rest stop
  • family

Movie threads

More Movies Like Critters, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Critters tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fast-Paced Monster Siege Movies like Critters

Thrillers where characters are trapped and fight for survival against relentless creatures. If you liked the frantic survival action of Critters, you'll find more movies like it here. These films feature characters trapped and fighting for their lives against relentless monsters or aliens, delivering a similar mix of high tension and thrilling action.

  • suspenseful
  • chaotic
  • claustrophobic
  • thrilling
  • anxious
  • desperate
  • Tone: tense, chaotic
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a straightforward survival structure: a threat is introduced, quickly escalates, and forces a group of characters into a desperate defense of their limited space. The story is driven by a series of attacks and narrow escapes, focusing on immediate physical danger over complex plotting.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a fast-paced, single-location siege scenario against a non-human threat. They create a similar viewing experience defined by constant suspense, chaotic action sequences, and the primal fear of being hunted.

Tense Horror-Comedy Movies like Critters

Scary movies where the tension is punctuated by moments of dark, situational humor. Fans of Critters who enjoyed its mix of scary monster attacks and darkly funny moments will love these similar films. Discover more horror-comedies that balance genuine tension and thrills with a witty or absurd sense of humor.

  • suspenseful
  • darkly comedic
  • thrilling
  • anxious
  • quirky
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, darkly comedic
  • Pacing: fast, variable
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically present a serious, often life-threatening scenario, but the characters' reactions, the absurdity of the situation, or the nature of the threat itself introduces comedic elements. The tone oscillates between fear and laughter, creating a uniquely engaging and slightly off-kilter experience.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their successful tonal blend. They are primarily horror films that generate real suspense, but they incorporate comedy—whether through character dialogue, satirical elements, or the sheer ridiculousness of the premise—to create a distinct vibe that is both thrilling and amusing.

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Movies Like Critters

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Every angle

Critters (1986) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Critters in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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