Of the many types of phobias that plague us, the fear of insects, or entomophobia, is perhaps the most common. The truth is that almost all of us have some kind of aversion to bugs, although for some it can be quite debilitating. As this is a universal phenomenon, Hollywood filmmakers have harped on this fear to create movies that would send anyone scurrying for safety. From giant mosquitoes to man-eating bugs, the filmmaking realm has captured all of our worst fears and placed them on the big screen for all of us to see. Here we countdown 5 of the freakiest bug films of all time that have scared the wits out of all of us:
5. Mimic (1997)
Spawning two more movies in the franchise, the original Mimic grossed more than $25 million and is regarded by many as one of the best bug films of all time.
When roaches threaten the health and safety of young children, a group of scientists set out to create a new breed of cockroaches to fight against those that carry diseases. Over time, these genetically enhanced roaches can breed on their own and begin terrorizing the city of New York.
4. Them! (1954)
One of the earliest bug films of the genre to make it big at the box office, Them! is a sci-fi movie that tells the tale of a man’s encounter with a breed of giant ants.
As the first big movie to take on the story of gigantic bugs, Them! was one of the few films of its kind to earn the respect of the Academy of Motion Pictures, garnering a nomination for the Best in Special Effects category.
3. Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)
In the 1970s, writer Nicholas Meyer and Director Denis Sanders presented a different kind of bug movie that won over the vote and appreciation of the male populace.
The plot of this bug film revolves around a group of beautiful and full-breasted women who transform into human bees, but not before they strip off their clothes and send men into a frenzy that ends with their deaths.
2. Eight-Legged Freaks (2002)
Successfully combining the elements of fright and humor, Eight Legged Freaks takes audiences on a rollercoaster of different emotions as it finds David Arquette and Scott Terra fending off an attack from monstrous spiders.
A small town in Arizona sets the stage for a wild and funny battle between residents and giant spiders who were the subject of an experiment gone haywire.
1. Starship Troopers (1997)
Set against the backdrop of a society that is plagued by giant alien bugs called arachnoids, Starship Troopers is a bug film that narrates the tale of a group of brave young soldiers who place their lives on the line for mankind’s survival.
This 1997 sci-fi action fest from director Paul Verhoeven weaves an emotional narrative that is filled with dazzling special effects and stunts that captivate and tickle the audience’s imagination. The presence of young and attractive stars such as Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, and Dina Meyer also makes looking at terrifying alien insects a lot more exciting.
Grossing more than $105 million, Starship Troopers is one of the most successful bug films ever made. Although several low-budget sequels were made, none of them were up to the mark and are not even worth mentioning.
What are your favorite bug films of all time? Let us know in the comments below!
