Earth vs the Spider

1958
PG
1h 13m

IMDb RATING

4.6/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

June Kenney in Earth vs the Spider (1958)

Play trailer1:49

2 Videos

78 Photos

Kaiju Monster Horror Family Horror Sci-Fi Thriller

Teenagers from a rural community and their high school science teacher join forces to battle a giant mutant spider.Teenagers from a rural community and their high school science teacher join forces to battle a giant mutant spider.Teenagers from a rural community and their high school science teacher join forces to battle a giant mutant spider.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

4.6/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
This was filmed as "The Spider". Prior to completion, the title was changed to "Earth vs. The Spider" and that was used for the main title on the film itself. When The Fly (1958) became a blockbuster for 20th Century Fox, American International decided to ride on their success by changing the title back to simply "The Spider" on all advertising material. The main title on the film itself was never changed.

Goofs
The spider expert repeatedly refers to them as insects.

Quotes
Mr. Kingman: Well, speaking of spiders - are you sure rifles are just the thing? Insects have a pretty simple nervous system, sheriff. You could plug holes in one all day and never hit a vital spot. If you want to be on the safe side, call the pest control people in Springdale and have 'em send out all the DDT they can find.

Alternate versions
When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure an 'A' rating. All cuts were waived in 1991 when the film was granted an 'PG' certificate for home video.

Connections
Edited into Confessions of an Opium Eater (1962)

User reviews97

Review

Featured review

5/10

campy 50s B-horror

Jack Flynn is attacked while driving home. His teenage daughter Carol and her boyfriend Mike go searching for him and find a giant spider in a cave. The Sheriff doesn't believe them. Their teacher Kingman is able to convince him to send a posse. Armed with DDT, they are able to kill the giant spider. They bring the spider back to town and store it in the high school gym. As the kids practice rock and roll, the spider revives and terrorizes the town. Meanwhile Carol and Mike go back to the cave to find her lost bracelet.

It's a campy 50s creature feature. The giant spider is a fun visual. The acting is bad. The story is simplistic which actually helps. I certainly don't want too many explanations about giant spiders. That can't be any good. It's a B-movie with a few fun unintentional silliness.