When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
Heather Menzies-Urich
- Maggie McKeown
- (as Heather Menzies)
Melody Thomas Scott
- Laura Dickinson
- (as Melody Thomas)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSteven Spielberg described this film as "the best of the Jaws (1975) rip-offs." He and Joe Dante later collaborated on Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). Richard Dreyfus, who played Hooper in Jaws, later had a cameo in the opening scene of the 2010 Pirahna remake.
- GoofsThe water skier is doing his runs on the river. He is wearing a orange life jacket, but when he falls into the water the jacket is yellow.
- Quotes
Whitney: The piranhas...
Buck Gardner: What about the goddamn piranhas?
Whitney: They're eating the guests, sir.
- Crazy creditsThe FBI warning at the end of the credits ends with the phrase "So There." Producer Jon Davison used the same joke for the FBI warning in his later picture "Airplane."
- ConnectionsEdited into Raw Force (1982)
- SoundtracksGreat Green Gobs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts
(uncredited)
Traditional camp song
Featured review
The best Jaws-inspired flick swimming around out there!
Debut film of B horror director Joe Dante is this fun, exciting Jaws spoof that's the best of its kind!
A school of deadly, mutant piranha is released from a government laboratory and it's up to an alcoholic man and his detective love-interest to warn folks down stream!
A fast-paced, campy, and humorous ride all the way, Piranha is a genuinely entertaining B film that recalls not only Jaws but many of the classic monster flicks of the 50's. The screenplay by John Sayles has lots of good suspense and a witty kind of humor. Dante's direction is nicely done, keeping the energetic mood of the film high. The special FX aren't half bad, especially considering the limited budget. In fact the movie packs some truly gory images. Pino Donaggio's music score is beautifully well done.
Stars Bradford Dillman and Heather Menzies are quite good, making for some amusing and unlikely heroes. The supporting cast is good as well and has a number of veteran actors - Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Dick Miller, and Barbara Steele.
Over all, Piranha is a good old-fashioned horror delight for genre fans. See it!
**** out of ****
A school of deadly, mutant piranha is released from a government laboratory and it's up to an alcoholic man and his detective love-interest to warn folks down stream!
A fast-paced, campy, and humorous ride all the way, Piranha is a genuinely entertaining B film that recalls not only Jaws but many of the classic monster flicks of the 50's. The screenplay by John Sayles has lots of good suspense and a witty kind of humor. Dante's direction is nicely done, keeping the energetic mood of the film high. The special FX aren't half bad, especially considering the limited budget. In fact the movie packs some truly gory images. Pino Donaggio's music score is beautifully well done.
Stars Bradford Dillman and Heather Menzies are quite good, making for some amusing and unlikely heroes. The supporting cast is good as well and has a number of veteran actors - Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Dick Miller, and Barbara Steele.
Over all, Piranha is a good old-fashioned horror delight for genre fans. See it!
**** out of ****
helpful•4310
- Nightman85
- May 20, 2008
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $600,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $321
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