There are many phobias that have begun with or been intensified by horror films, like peoples’ fear of clowns, snakes, ravens, and more. One of these phobias that is relatively common among people is arachnophobia.
Around up to 15% of people are affected by arachnophobia. While spiders, with their fangs and all their creepy crawly legs are plenty intimidating, the way that they’ve been portrayed in films and shows only makes them seem worse.
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In fact, spiders have been publicly demonized andportrayed in a spooky lightfor so long that they have become synonymous with scary things and events, like Halloween. While in actuality, spiders are just another group of creatures doing what they have to do to survive, their appearance and capabilities have made them a prime prop for scary stories. In some cases, spiders even serve as the main focus, or antagonist, in horror films.
Tarantula! (1955)
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This classic film received considerably good reviews but, given the time that’s passed since it was released, many people have forgotten about the film or are completelyunaware of its existence. The storyline examines a scientist that is working on a miracle food substance that would solve humanity’s hunger problem. However, as the scientist is testing the substance out on a tarantula in the lab, the research takes an unexpected turn and the spider continues to grow larger and larger and escapes, leaving destruction and death in its path. A hodge podge group comes together to investigate the circumstances and eventually hunts the spider down. The film is set in Arizona, a state that actually has around thirty species of tarantulas,making it a creepy spin on realityfor residents of the state and other places with desert climates.
Arachnophobia (1990)
This 90s horror was very well-received and had an impressive cast, including Jeff Daniels and John Goodman. The film’s title is quite indicative of what the storyline is about, as well as what its effect on the audience will likely be. The story is set in a small town in California, as a photographer who has been killed by an unusual species of spider is returned to his hometown to be laid to rest. However, those transporting the body are unaware thatthe spider still hideson the corpse, beginning an infestation of the spider species. As the spiders make their way around, taking victim after victim with their bites, a couple of the remaining residents must come together to take the creepy crawlies down, by targeting the “queen” spider and her nest.
Ice Spiders (2007)
Unlike the other films on this list that are set in desert landscapes where spiders are expected to be, this film makes people that are disturbed by spiders feel like they’re not safe anywhere. While in reality, spiders don’t usually inhabit cold climates, this film exploresthe horrors of what could happenif they did. Though the film received mediocre ratings and reviews, its imaginative storyline sets it apart from other spider-focused horror films. It follows a group of winter olympic hopefuls that must escape and take shelter when a horde of mutated spiders escape from a lab and set out wreaking havoc.
Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
Though this is another film that was popular when it came out, and even starred William Shatner, many people have forgotten about it or are unfamiliar with it. This film was a staple in the “ nature on the rampage” subgenre that waspopular in sci-fi horror filmsof the time. This movie received credit, in particular, for its creepy visuals of spiders attacking both animals and people as their prey. This is another spider film that is set in Arizona, and it begins with animals being bitten and killed by spiders, and as scientists discover what’s behind the deaths, they find themselves under attack by the eight-legged critters. They soon discover that pesticides are behind the behavior of the spiders, giving the film a relevant theme to reflect probable issues in modern society, but, because of this driving message in the film,the story doesn’t have a very optimistic ending.
Itsy Bitsy (2019)
Many people will recognize the title of this film as the same name that belongs to the children’s nursery rhyme, which is actually what this movie is inspired by. The film received mixed reviews but has been favored by fans of spider-focused films because of the twist it brings to the genre. While many spider horror films focus on mutated forms of actual modern spiders, this movie instead explores an ancient evil entity that takes the form of a spider. The storyline begins when a family moves into the home of an old artifact collector, to assist her. However,her most recent purchase, called the Black Egg of Maa-Kalaratri, proves to be trouble when it is busted, releasing the ancient spider being who soon causes chaos for the newcomers. Though by the end, the family makes it out of the house and away from the spider entity, their time there proves to have lingering consequences.
While many of these films didn’t get particularly popular, or have been forgotten with time, fans of horror and arachnophobes alike will find that each of them offers a unique and creepy experience. If viewers weren’t bothered by spiders before, they’llfind themselves thoroughly checkingshoes, bedding, and all the dark spaces after watching these films.
