Pterodactyl

The long-dormant volcano suddenly becomes active again, revealing a nest of eggs that soon hatch into prehistoric pterodactyls. This early sign of danger sets the tone for the looming threat around the volcanic area. The discovery hints at the broader prehistoric menace the characters will confront.

A trio of hunters scouting the Turkish–Armenian border is suddenly ambushed by a pterodactyl and killed. The brutal encounter foreshadows the danger that will spill into later events.

Michael, a paleontology professor, and Kate lead a group of teenagers on a field trip toward the volcano to search for fossils. The students—Gwen, Jason, Willis, and Angie—are excited, but the forest hides a growing threat.

Angie wanders off to swim and is suddenly attacked by a pterodactyl. She struggles to escape as Jason, who was looking for her, becomes entangled in the danger nearby.

The pterodactyl drags Jason into the lake, and his friends realize he has been killed. Michael and Willis search for him, but their efforts come too late to save him.

Captain Bergen and his squad locate and capture Yolen, the Armenian terrorist wanted by the government. The operation introduces a military subplot that intersects with the greater danger. The operation foreshadows the uneasy alliance that may form to confront the pterodactyl threat.

Michael's jeep is ambushed by terrorists while they are moving to evacuate Yolen. Pterodactyls descend, slaughter the attackers, and the survivors flee under Bergen's cover. Gwen is killed during the chaotic escape.

Bergen learns that he once served with Kate's father and reluctantly agrees to escort the civilians back to town. His sense of duty shifts the mission toward protecting the group rather than pursuing only Yolen.

The group is ambushed again in a forest clearing. Burroughs and Chief are killed, Clarke is abducted, Angie is captured, and Kate is snatched and flown toward a nest. The chaotic moment leaves the survivors scrambling to regroup.

The survivors reach a hunting shelter where Zelasny dies from wounds and Willis is killed during another pterodactyl assault. Kate remains captive in the nest for the moment. The threat intensifies as resources and hope dwindle.

Kate grabs a radio from Clarke’s remains and contacts Bergen, escaping the nest. She crosses a deep chasm to rejoin the others, though the group is separated and a rescue line is established. The escape leaves them hoping for a safe reunion.

Serling traverses the rescue line to bring Kate to safety, but the pterodactyls awaken and attack. Bergen is knocked out, and Yolen is killed when a pterodactyl seizes him. Serling detonates an explosive in the nest, destroying it and most of the pterodactyls.

After escaping down the mountain, the group confronts the alpha pterodactyl. Bergen fires a missile in a bravado moment, but the beast survives long enough to kill him. Michael keeps the missile on target and finally kills the alpha, while Kate and Michael share a kiss.

With the alpha defeated, an Allosaurus rises from the volcano crater, signaling that a new danger still lurks beneath the volcanic landscape. Kate and Michael share a quiet moment as they prepare for whatever comes next.