Buzz
1. Black Water: Abyss – Deathly Crocodile (2020)
Following the impressive success of Black Water - Dark Waters, Black Water: Abyss - Deathly Crocodile officially aired in 2020, meeting the long-awaited expectations of fans.
In this installment, the film tells the journey of an expedition. Despite the bad weather, the explorers are still passionate about exploring caves. However, due to the cave flooding, they must search for an escape route but unexpectedly encounter a bloodthirsty crocodile. The entire team has to fight and find a way to survive and return. The dark environment helps conceal the giant crocodile's location, and its lightning-fast attacks make it always ready to kill anyone setting foot in its territory - the water area.
With an ugly appearance, sharp jaws, lightning-fast attacks, impressive hiding abilities, and enormous size, it provides breathtaking, tense, and chaotic scenes every time the monster appears but is also incredibly captivating for viewers.
DETAILS:
Director: David R. Ellis
Cast: Sarah Paxton, Chris Carmack
Country: United States
2. Crawl – Deadly Swamp (2019)
The story unfolds as a devastating storm hits the state of Florida. While everyone evacuates, Haley's father remains behind. Despite the raging storm and law enforcement barriers, Haley is determined to return home to find her father. Upon her return, she discovers a father-daughter duo fighting a ferocious and dangerous crocodile inside their own home.
With the use of CGI technology, especially in the intense crocodile combat scenes, the visuals in Crawl become incredibly vivid and unexpectedly realistic. Sudden appearances of the crocodile horde keep the audience constantly on edge.
The film's plot is considered simple and understandable, set within the confined space of Haley's old family home with the presence of a few supporting characters. Despite its simplicity, the movie delivers meaningful messages.
DETAILS:
Director: Alexandre Aja
Cast: Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper, Ross Anderson, Morfydd Clark, Colin McfarlaneAnnamaria Serda
Country: United States
3. Crocodile Island (2020)
Crocodile Island (2020) is the next monster-themed film from China, starring TVB star La Gia Luong. In the movie, he portrays a single father traveling with his daughter on an unfortunate flight. While passing through the Devil's Sea, known as the 'Bermuda Triangle' of Asia, the plane experiences a malfunction, forcing them to make an emergency landing on a deserted island. The island is home to numerous crocodiles and giant spiders, and with scarce food and water, survival becomes a daunting challenge.
Faced with a series of challenges, he must join the other passengers in battling the monstrous creatures and, at the same time, rescue his daughter captured by a crocodile.
Through the film, we witness the dichotomy of good and evil, beauty, and ugliness within each person. The movie condemns selfishness, arrogance, praises the love between human beings, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
DETAILS:
Director: Xu Shixing
Cast: La Gia Luong
Country: China
4. Million Dollar Crocodile (2012)
If you've grown a bit weary of too many monster movies from the West, Million Dollar Crocodile brings a breath of fresh air to this list. The film revolves around a massive crocodile weighing two tons and measuring 8 meters named A Mao. A Mao escapes from crocodile hunters and swallows the handbag containing a million dollars owned by On Yan (portrayed by Từ Hy Viên). Unwilling to accept the loss, On Yan hires someone to capture and kill A Mao to recover the lost money.
With a runtime of 90 minutes and standout special effects scenes like the crocodile jumping straight to the second floor of a building, breaking through walls, and smashing the lakeside resort with horrifying destructive force, the movie delivers incredibly realistic and captivating moments for the audience.
It's worth noting that Million Dollar Crocodile is the first monster-themed film promoted on Chinese media, featuring the renowned actor Từ Hy Viên.
DETAILS:
Director: Lin Lisheng
Cast: Từ Hy Viên, Lam Suet, Barbie Hsu
5. Alligator Alley (2013)
Alligator Alley is the next captivating monster-themed film hailing from the land Down Under. The story follows a young girl returning to the bay area, unexpectedly encountering a group of genetically mutated alligators attacking her family and neighbors, with whom she has a longstanding feud. Both households must overcome animosity to fend off the ferocious alligator horde.
After the film's release, many were once again shocked by human cruelty towards nature. Humans became the cause of genetic changes in some creatures on Earth, turning them bloodthirsty, insane, and even leading them to attack humans. When realizing the consequences, it was already too late.
The meaningful and humanitarian content, coupled with a warning about the consequences of human actions, has propelled Alligator Alley to become one of the greatest crocodile films of all time.
DETAILS:
Director: Griff Furst
Cast: Michael Baird, Nicoye Banks, Christopher Berry
Country: USA, Australia
6. Primeval – Dead Marsh (2007)
Primeval – Dead Marsh is inspired by the story of American journalists and tourists who traveled to Burundi to film and photograph Gustave, a Nile crocodile weighing over a ton. This monster has been around for many years, devouring more than 300 people. The victim count continues to rise daily. However, no one cares until the giant crocodile Gustave kills a white woman, a British anthropologist.
Television journalist Tim Manfrey (Dominic Purcell) and wildlife reporter Aviva Masters (Brooke Langton) are sent to Burundi to investigate Gustave.
Despite the local government's obstruction, both are determined to capture the ferocious beast. Gustave becomes a terror to the locals, attracted by the abundance of fresh meat from the victims of the bloody civil war thrown into the marsh. This makes Gustave prefer living prey over normal crocodiles.
DETAILS:
Director: Michael Katleman
Cast: Dominic Purcell, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton
Country: USA
7. Black Water – Dark Waters (2007)
Black Water – Dark Waters is based on a crocodile attack in the northern territories of Australia in December 2003. Directed by Andrew Traucki and David Nerlich, the film stars Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda, Ben Oxenbould, Fiona Press.
The story follows a family enjoying a vacation in Northern Australia. Gracie, along with her husband Adam and younger sister Lee, decides to go fishing in the Blackwater Barry swamp. As the boat ventures deeper into the swamp, it unexpectedly capsizes. A giant crocodile swiftly attacks and kills Jim, the guide.
After the incident, they realize that waiting to be rescued is not an option, so they decide to take matters into their own hands. A life-and-death struggle with the monstrous creature unfolds as they fight to return home.
DETAILS:
Directors: David Nerlich, Andrew Traucki
Cast: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda
Country: USA
8. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002)
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course is the next entry in the crocodile theme that Mytour wants to introduce in this list. This adventurous crocodile comedy was released in 2002, directed by John Stainton, based on a documentary series of the same name.
The film piques curiosity as it explores the theme of the elite CIA team, tasked with capturing a crocodile that has swallowed an important satellite. Representing the military are agents Robert Wheeler and Vaughn Archer. However, at this point, Steve Irwin – a crocodile hunter – believes the duo are thieves, leading to a spectacular and unpredictable pursuit between the two fronts. It delivers both hilarious and absurd moments.
Notably, this is a rare film where the crocodile character is real, not staged using cinematic effects as seen in the majority of other monster-themed works.
DETAILS:
Director: John Stainton
Cast: Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin, Magda Szubanski
Country: USA, Australia
9. Rogue – Man-Eating Crocodile (2007)
Rogue is inspired by Sweetheart, a giant saltwater crocodile that attacked boats in the late '70s. The story revolves around a group of tourists in Australia unexpectedly becoming the prey of an 8m man-eating crocodile.
Specifically, American travel journalist Pete McKell (Michael Vartan) and a group of adventurers embark on a live crocodile-watching trip on the Kakadu National Park River, all under the guidance of wildlife researcher Kate Ryan (Radha Mitchell). Here, they discover a desolate lake, but true horror ensues when their boat is hit and begins to sink. With no other option, Kate Ryan has to steer the boat to a small island. As the tide rises and only about half an hour until dark, they realize they are in the territory of a bloodthirsty crocodile. The group must struggle to fight their way back home. The film has received positive reviews from critics.
DETAILS:
Director: Greg McLean
Cast: Radha Mitchell
Country: USA
10. Lake Placid – Giant Crocodile (1999)
Lake Placid features the presence of renowned television actress Betty White, Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson, and more. The story follows a group of crocodile hunters who accidentally breach the containment fence, putting a nearby camping group in danger. Consequently, they must battle a giant saltwater crocodile escaping the enclosed area of an ecological reserve.
The image of the massive, menacing crocodile leaping to bite a helicopter leaves a lasting impression on viewers. The blend of horror elements with humorous scenes has captivated cinema audiences.
Lake Placid was produced by Fox 2000 Pictures and Stan Winston Studios, filmed primarily in British Columbia, Canada, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It premiered in the United States on July 16, 1999, and in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2000. It serves as the opening installment of the later Lake Placid series, with the official sequel released in 2007.
DETAILS:
Director: Steve Miner
Cast: Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson, Betty White, David Lewis, Tim Dixon, Natassia Malthe, Mariska Hargitay, Meredith Salenger, Jed Rees, Richard Leacock, Jake T. Roberts, Warren Takeuchi, Ty Olsson
Country: USA
