Year: 1999
Runtime: 82 min
Language: English
Director: Steve Miner
A shocking discovery disrupts the peace of the Maine wilderness. A massive, thirty-foot crocodile appears, terrorizing the area and forcing a group of unlikely individuals to confront the prehistoric predator. They must find a way to stop the creature before it can claim more victims and shatter the tranquility of their remote community.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Lake Placid yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Get a spoiler-free look at Lake Placid (1999) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the remote stretches of Aroostook County, Maine, the pristine silence of Black Lake is broken by an unsettling rumor—a creature of prehistoric size has taken up residence beneath its glassy surface. The notion of a thirty‑foot crocodile lurking in the cold northern waters casts a shadow over a community that has long prized its isolation and natural beauty. The film’s tone blends cold‑climate dread with the uneasy charm of a small town, letting the wilderness itself feel both majestic and menacing as the unknown prowls just out of sight.
The investigation brings together a disparate group whose skills and outlooks clash as much as they complement each other. Walt Lawson, a Fish‑and‑Game officer with a practical, no‑nonsense approach, joins Hank Keough, the steady sheriff tasked with keeping order. Jack Wells, his deputy, provides a youthful counterpoint, while Kelly Scott, a paleontologist from a major museum, arrives with scientific curiosity and a calm rationality that often feels out of place in the woods. Hector Cyr, a mythology professor with a lifelong fascination for crocodiles, adds a scholarly eccentricity, and Delores Bickerman, a reclusive older woman who knows more about the lake’s secrets than she lets on, watches the unfolding drama from her secluded homestead. Finally, Sharon Gare, another deputy, balances authority with a quiet resolve, rounding out the uneasy coalition.
Together they must navigate the thin line between curiosity and danger, each bringing personal motivations and hidden histories to a situation that threatens to upend the quiet rhythm of their lives. As the mystery deepens, the tension in the air grows palpable—every ripple on the water hints at a lurking presence, every conversation carries an undercurrent of dread. The film teases an inevitable clash between humanity’s fragile control and the raw, indifferent force of nature, leaving viewers perched on the edge of anticipation, waiting to see whether this unlikely team can confront the ancient predator that has resurfaced in their tranquil corner of the world.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 12:53
Don't stop at just watching — explore Lake Placid in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Lake Placid is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Lake Placid, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Lake Placid with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Lake Placid that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Lake Placid (1999) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Lake Placid (1999) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Lake Placid (1999) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Lake Placid – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Shark Lake (2015) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Alligator (1980) Movie Recap & Themes
Humanoids from the Deep (1980) Full Movie Breakdown
The Cave (2005) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Creature (2011) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Flood (2023) Complete Plot Breakdown
Black Water: Abyss (2020) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Piranha (1978) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Piranha 3-D (2010) Film Overview & Timeline
Maneater (2022) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Great White (2021) Full Summary & Key Details
The Bayou (2025) Story Summary & Characters
Primeval (2007) Story Summary & Characters
Eaten Alive (1977) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Pool (2019) Full Movie Breakdown