Lake Placid (1999)

39% of critics liked it
(69 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(115,198 ratings)

So what's under the water in that lake deep in the Maine woods? No one is sure what it could be, but a dead and severely mutilated body was found near the shore, and the only clue is a large tooth which appears to be from a prehistoric animal resembling a huge crocodile. Jack Wells (Bill Pullman),… More So what's under the water in that lake deep in the Maine woods? No one is sure what it could be, but a dead and severely mutilated body was found near the shore, and the only clue is a large tooth which appears to be from a prehistoric animal resembling a huge crocodile. Jack Wells (Bill Pullman), the local fish and game warden, is investigating the case when he's assigned a helper, paleontologist Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda). Kelly generally does office work since she hates the outdoors (a drawback in her line of work) and is recovering from a breakup with one of her co-workers. Jack would just as soon handle this matter without Kelly's help, but with time, the two get used to each other and something beyond a working relationship begins to develop. Meanwhile, Jack and Kelly also have to deal with Sheriff Hank Keogh (Brendan Gleeson), who would like to find the mystery creature and kill it; Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt), a quirky mythology expert who wants to capture and study the beast; and Mrs. Bickerman (Betty White), an eccentric older woman with dubious stories about her missing cattle -- and missing husband. Blending suspense, humor, and romance, Lake Placid was written by David E. Kelley, creator of the popular TV shows Ally McBeal and The Practice, and directed by Steve Miner, whose credits range from TV's The Wonder Years to the films Forever Young and Halloween: H20. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Steve Miner
Written By: David E. Kelley
Genres: Action & Adventure, Horror, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 16, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Jan 11, 2000
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Robert Horton, Film.com
A funny film!
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Has an easygoing sense of fun, along with one of the more memorable movie monsters of recent years.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Lake Placid isn't so bad that it's good; it's so bad that it's really bad.
Gemma Files, Film.com
This is just a variant on ten thousand other huge-creature-tryin'-to-kill-me movies.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Lake Placid could easily have been made as a PG-13 movie, or perhaps even a PG. But the better to tempt teen-age audiences, it talks its way into an R.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
A passable yet unspectacular horror effort...
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
Surprise to say, the film is actually, by turns, both scary and funny, although seldom at the same time.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
Far from being a great film, but it's a guilty pleasure for sure.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Steve Miner directs this shaggy-dog movie that wonderfully reveals the strange and the wondrous in all of God's creations.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

To begin with its not even Lake Placid, but some other lake, this one up in Maine ("the graveyard of horror!" ... I just said that. I don't know if its true. Like the sound of it though. London's maybe the real graveyard ... anyway ) and there's something… More
To begin with its not even Lake Placid, but some other lake, this one up in Maine ("the graveyard of horror!" ... I just said that. I don't know if its true. Like the sound of it though. London's maybe the real graveyard ... anyway ) and there's something in the water, something big, and its eating people. Funny and cool creature feature.
Jeff "

Lake Placid I believe is a very underrated film. The film seems to be crucified by the fact it was written by Alley McBeal creator, David E. Kelly. If you can get past this fact, Lake Placid is a very entertaining horror comedy. The acting is decent at best and the scares are good… More
Lake Placid I believe is a very underrated film. The film seems to be crucified by the fact it was written by Alley McBeal creator, David E. Kelly. If you can get past this fact, Lake Placid is a very entertaining horror comedy. The acting is decent at best and the scares are good enough, but the film works because it is entertaining and is meant to be a fun film to watch. The film's story is about a killer larger than life crocodile, and the hunt to capture it. With a script laced with tongue and cheeks humour, Lake Placid is different killer creature film. The films humour does get nerve racking at times, but considering the length of the film, in the end you don't care. If you like silly horror films, then you'll most likely want to watch this film.Veteran horror director Steve Miner (Friday The 13th Part 2, 3, House, Halloween H20) directs this film with wit, and Minder definitely knows how to craft a good, fun, B movie style creature film. Even if Lake Placid is flawed, this is still a very good little film. A fairly good effort in general, Lake Placid manages to combine Silliness with decent enough horror element. This film can definitely be seen as an introduction to a horror film for people who are new to the genre. The film will probably appeal to a younger, more ripe horror crowd who can't handle films such as The Exorcist. If you're new to horror and want a killer creature film, then watch this one or Jaws. This is fairly soft in it's horror themes to appeal to people who would usually hate the genre due to the fact that it's too intense.
Ken S

So much fun. Great cast, great script and the Citizen Kane of Croc movies.
Anthony L

A stinky floater.
Jason O

I don't see why "Lake Placid" didn't do better in theatres and isn't more popular than it is. Sure, it's not a classic like "Jaws" and it's not that scary, but it is a solid horror movie in its own right. Somehow, a crocodile has ended up… More
I don't see why "Lake Placid" didn't do better in theatres and isn't more popular than it is. Sure, it's not a classic like "Jaws" and it's not that scary, but it is a solid horror movie in its own right. Somehow, a crocodile has ended up in the cold waters of Maine and some scientists and policemen must do what they can to capture or kill the giant reptile. Of course, the policemen and scientists get in a few arguments about what they should do with the crocodile and how they should do it. "Lake Placid" has some memorable scenes such as when a cow is used as bait for the alligator and also some good acting from all the actors and actresses, especially Betty White. The special effects are also done well. The way the crocodile looks and moves looks realistic. Bottom line, "Lake Placid" might not be one of the best movies of all time, but it's not that bad. I recommend anybody to add it to their collection of movies. My only complaints are that it was too short and at times it's somewhat predictable. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. I love horror movies like this that feature a certain kind of animal or being. Lake Placid wasn't as good as I was anticipating, but still nice and worth watching or even owning if you enjoy the genre.
Bobby H

This movie is average. It's extremly common and typical: Giant crocodile, killing random people, who will survive? It's your every day horror flick. It's nothing different, and has no orginality too it. Positive notes: It's actually pretty funny, though… More
This movie is average. It's extremly common and typical: Giant crocodile, killing random people, who will survive? It's your every day horror flick. It's nothing different, and has no orginality too it. Positive notes: It's actually pretty funny, though it's been done a 100x it remains pretty interesting, and the storyline is not quite as bad as you would think. It's worth watching, but nothing special.
_kelly .

even at age 10, I was disappointed with this flick
Dean M

The monster in question resides in tranquil Black Lake, in the backwoods of Maine, where it routinely chomps on anybody foolish enough to fall into the water. But deft script and engaging characters aside, something must have gone wrong during production, because the film concludes -… More
The monster in question resides in tranquil Black Lake, in the backwoods of Maine, where it routinely chomps on anybody foolish enough to fall into the water. But deft script and engaging characters aside, something must have gone wrong during production, because the film concludes - very adruptly - just as it has kicked into gear. Matters are resolved so quickly that you're likely to feel cheated. let's therefore call this one suspenseful, skillfully scripted, well-performed, and quite entertaining... for two-thirds of a movie.
Film C

scary and has funny bits surprised they didnt make a second one because at the end u see little small crocs there
Summer W

Laughable.
xGary X

Enjoyably daft creature feature in which everyone seems to lose their heads (literally.) Ridiculous and it knows, nay REVELS, in it!
Lafe F

It's a big cheese crocodile movie which feels forced. Betty White can't save it with her humourous quips. There's no great battles or people being eaten. I wanted to forget it.
Rachel F

I love this movie. Oliver Platt is hilarious in this film, but its pretty damn creepy.
Justin Y

Just by looking at the cover you would be expecting a monster movie with the chowing down of many people. Well, the first few minutes makes the movie seem that way but after a while you will see it is a tad different. This isn't really a horror movie at all, although it can be… More
Just by looking at the cover you would be expecting a monster movie with the chowing down of many people. Well, the first few minutes makes the movie seem that way but after a while you will see it is a tad different. This isn't really a horror movie at all, although it can be a tad suspenseful at times. The gore factor is at a minimum with only a few severed body parts throughout the entire film.<p>The acting isn't too bad, but it isn't spectacular either. Oliver Platt and the few scenes with Betty White provide the comedy in this movie to actually liven it up, which it really does need. Although Platt is funny he may also get on your nerves at times. Be warned. Brendan Gleeson actually does a pretty good job with his character and he is always butting heads with Platt which is entertaining to watch.</p><p>This movie is by no means a classic but it can be worth your time for at least one see through on a lonely evening at home.
Dean !

A mildly entertaining creature feature. It's quite camp at times and not serious at all, but does have a bit of gore.
danny d

should have been good...wasnt
Jason S

It's actually pretty funny.
Michael G

Suprisingly funny. Worth it just to hear Betty White use the word COCKSUCKER.
Luke B

A brilliantly well written horror comedy. Lake Placid has wit and fantastic verbal sparring by the bucketloads. The comedy is mainly thanks to the genius pairing of Platt and Gleeson as a pair at war with each other. The CGI is slightly dated now but there isn't that much to… More
A brilliantly well written horror comedy. Lake Placid has wit and fantastic verbal sparring by the bucketloads. The comedy is mainly thanks to the genius pairing of Platt and Gleeson as a pair at war with each other. The CGI is slightly dated now but there isn't that much to effect the film. A nice short running time means it deals with it's crocodile plot and gets it over with.
Matthew Y

Lake Placid is an awfully acted high-concept film whose only redeeming quality is a couple of impressive shot of the Crocodile, most notably the scene where it eats a fucking bear! Horror fans (especially creature feature fans) might be able to get something out of it but for the… More
Lake Placid is an awfully acted high-concept film whose only redeeming quality is a couple of impressive shot of the Crocodile, most notably the scene where it eats a fucking bear! Horror fans (especially creature feature fans) might be able to get something out of it but for the most part it's not worth your time.