10 Thrilling Movies About Killer Animals

Description: Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece where birds inexplicably attack a small town. It's less about the gore and more about the psychological terror of nature turning against us.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real event in Capitola, California, where birds attacked people for no apparent reason.

Description: The granddaddy of all animal attack movies, "Jaws" introduces us to a relentless great white shark terrorizing a small beach town. Its suspenseful build-up and iconic score make it a timeless classic in the genre.

Fact: The mechanical shark, named Bruce, frequently malfunctioned, leading to the film's famous less-is-more approach to showing the shark. Also, the film's success led to a decline in shark populations due to increased hunting.

Description: Set in an underwater military base, this film features a giant sea creature that threatens the crew. It's a claustrophobic thriller with a unique setting that adds to the horror.

Fact: The film was released in the same year as "The Abyss" and "Leviathan," making it part of an unofficial trilogy of underwater horror movies.

Description: Based on true events, this film follows two man-eating lions in Kenya that terrorize railroad workers. The tension between man and beast is palpable, making it a gripping tale of survival.

Fact: The lions, known as the Tsavo maneaters, are now on display at the Field Museum in Chicago. The film's title refers to the local names given to the lions by the workers.

Description: A film crew in the Amazon encounters a giant anaconda that starts hunting them down. The film blends adventure with horror, showcasing the raw power of nature.

Fact: The snake was created using a combination of animatronics, CGI, and a real 29-foot anaconda named "Baby."

Description: After a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, a billionaire and his companions must outwit a man-eating bear. It's a survival thriller with a philosophical twist.

Fact: The bear in the film was portrayed by a combination of a real bear named Bart and animatronics.

Description: An Australian tour guide and her passengers are stranded on a small island in a river, hunted by a massive saltwater crocodile. The film delivers intense suspense and a realistic portrayal of the animal.

Fact: The film was shot in the Northern Territory of Australia, where saltwater crocodiles are indeed a real threat.

Description: A surfer is stranded 200 yards from shore on a rock, with a great white shark circling her. It's a simple premise executed with intense suspense and a focus on survival.

Fact: The film was shot in Lord Howe Island, Australia, and the shark was entirely CGI, created by the same company that worked on "The Revenant."

Description: During a Category 5 hurricane, a woman and her father are trapped in their home, fighting for survival against a swarm of alligators. The film's setting and pacing make it a nail-biter.

Fact: The film was shot in a real house in Belgrade, Serbia, with the water effects added in post-production.

Description: A spring break party in Lake Victoria turns into a bloodbath when prehistoric piranhas are released from an underwater cave. It's a gory, fun-filled ride with a nod to classic B-movies.

Fact: The film features cameos from horror icons like Eli Roth and Richard Dreyfuss, who starred in "Jaws."