Piranha

Year: 1978

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: Joe Dante

Sci-FiThrillerHorrorComedy

A young banker struggles with unsettling visions and a precarious grasp on reality as he makes his way to a crucial first day. Amidst the frantic pace of the city, he finds himself facing a bizarre and terrifying danger – a swarm of piranhas unleashed upon the streets. He must confront both the pressures of the financial world and this unexpected aquatic threat to survive.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Piranha (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Piranha (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

military outpost, remote mountainous area, log cabin, summer camp, resort

The movie takes place in a secluded military outpost and a nearby log cabin, nestled in a remote mountainous area. This disused facility holds dark secrets from past experiments, while the log cabin represents a rustic survivalist's hideout. Nearby, a summer camp and a resort serve as the backdrop for frantic attempts to escape the aquatic terror unleashed by genetically modified piranhas.

🏔️ Location 🏖️ Recreational 🏢 Military

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:41

Main Characters – Piranha (1978)

Meet the key characters of Piranha (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:41

Major Themes – Piranha (1978)

Explore the central themes of Piranha (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:41

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Frantic Survival Horror movies like Piranha

Stories of desperate characters fighting against an unstoppable, chaotic threat.For viewers who enjoyed the non-stop tension and frantic pace of Piranha, this section curates movies with a similar relentless energy. These films share a focus on immediate survival against overwhelming threats, creating a breathless and chaotic viewing experience reminiscent of classic creature features and disaster movies.

franticsuspensefulchaoticgoryanxiousdesperatepessimistic

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with a sudden inciting incident that unleashes a major threat. The plot then follows a linear, straightforward path as characters react to and attempt to survive an escalating series of attacks or disasters. The primary conflict is external and physical, with the story driven by a series of intense set pieces.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their breakneck pacing, high intensity, and focus on survival against a clear, present danger. They share a tense, pessimistic tone and prioritize action and suspense over deep emotional exploration, resulting in a cohesive experience of sustained adrenaline.

Movies about man-made disasters like Piranha

When human arrogance unleashes a monster, and ordinary people pay the price.If you liked the premise of Piranha, where genetically engineered piranhas escape due to military cover-ups, you'll find similar themes here. This collection highlights films where scientific overreach or institutional failure leads to catastrophic consequences, blending horror, sci-fi, and thriller elements.

suspensefulchaoticpessimisticgoryanxiousparanoiddisaster

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often involves the revelation of a secret project or experiment gone wrong. The story follows the chain reaction of the disaster, pitting unprepared civilians against the threat. A common beat is the initial denial or cover-up by the responsible authorities, compounding the danger and highlighting themes of accountability.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their central theme of humanity being the architect of its own downfall. They share a cynical view of authority, a focus on survival amidst chaos caused by technology or science, and often feature a mix of thrills, gore, and social commentary.

Unlock the Full Story of Piranha

Don't stop at just watching — explore Piranha 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 Piranha is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Piranha Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Piranha, 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.

Piranha Timeline

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

Piranha Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Piranha that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Piranha

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Piranha: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Piranha

Discover movies like Piranha 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.