If you're fascinated by the eight-legged wonders of the animal kingdom, or if you're just looking for a thrilling movie night with a touch of arachnophobia, this curated list of films featuring tarantulas is just for you. From horror to science fiction, these movies showcase tarantulas in various roles, from menacing creatures to misunderstood heroes. Whether you're a fan of classic cinema or modern thrillers, these films will give you plenty of reasons to keep an eye out for these hairy spiders.

Tarantula (1955)
Description: This classic horror film features a scientist whose experiments with growth hormones go awry, creating a giant tarantula that terrorizes a small town. It's a must-watch for its historical significance in monster movies.
Fact: The tarantula in the film was actually a prop, and the movie was one of the first to use a mechanical spider for special effects.


The Giant Spider Invasion (1975)
Description: While not strictly about tarantulas, this film features a giant spider created by a black hole, with tarantulas playing a role in the spider's lifecycle.
Fact: The film was shot in Wisconsin, and the giant spider was actually a Volkswagen Beetle covered in fake fur.


Arachnophobia (1990)
Description: While not exclusively about tarantulas, this film features a deadly spider species that includes tarantulas, leading to a terrifying infestation in a small town.
Fact: The film used a combination of real spiders, animatronics, and CGI to create the spider effects, with over 300,000 spiders used in production.


Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Description: A mix of horror and comedy, this film showcases genetically altered spiders, including tarantulas, that grow to enormous sizes and wreak havoc on a small mining town.
Fact: The movie was originally titled "Arach Attack" and was inspired by the 1950s monster movies.


The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Description: While primarily a fantasy film, it features a variety of magical creatures, including a giant tarantula-like creature known as Mulgarath.
Fact: The film was based on a popular children's book series, and the creature design was inspired by various mythologies.


The Giant Spider (2013)
Description: A giant tarantula terrorizes a small town after being accidentally released from a laboratory where it was being studied.
Fact: This film is a modern take on the classic giant monster movies, with a focus on the tarantula's perspective.


Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
Description: In this film, tarantulas take over a small town after their natural food supply is depleted. It's a classic example of nature's retaliation against human interference.
Fact: Real tarantulas were used in the film, and many of them were kept in a special trailer dubbed "The Tarantula Hilton."


Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo (1977)
Description: This TV movie features a plane carrying exotic animals, including tarantulas, that crash-lands, leading to a town being overrun by these spiders.
Fact: The film was one of the first to explore the idea of tarantulas as a threat to humans in a modern setting.


Spiders (2000)
Description: A space shuttle crash releases genetically altered spiders, including tarantulas, that grow to massive sizes and start attacking people.
Fact: The film was made with a low budget but managed to create some memorable spider effects.


Spiders 3D (2013)
Description: A space mission brings back a giant spider egg, leading to an outbreak of enormous spiders, including tarantulas, in New York City.
Fact: The film was released in 3D, enhancing the experience of the spiders' attacks.
