Movies like Alligator (1980)
The best movies like Alligator (1980) are Mimic (1997), Lake Placid (1999) and Deep Blue Sea (1999). If Alligator hooked you with its horror and science fiction, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Thing (1982)8.1/10 from 8,429 votes
- NewestHungry (2026)Released 2026
Mimic (1997)
A disease carried by common cockroaches is killing Manhattan children. In an effort to stop the epidemic an entomologist, Susan Tyler, creates a mutant breed of insect that secretes a fluid to kill the roaches. This mutant breed was engineered to die after one generation, but three years later Susan finds out that the species has survived and evolved into a large, gruesome monster that can mimic human form.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLake Placid (1999)
When a man is eaten alive by an unknown creature, the local Game Warden teams up with a paleontologist from New York to find the beast. Add to the mix an eccentric philanthropist with a penchant for "Crocs", and here we go! This quiet, remote lake is suddenly the focus of an intense search for a crocodile with a taste for live animals...and people!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeep Blue Sea (1999)
Researchers on the undersea lab Aquatica have genetically altered the brains of captive sharks to develop a cure for Alzheimer's disease. But there's an unexpected side effect: the sharks got smarter, faster, and more dangerous. After a big storm damages their remote research facility, they must fight for their lives.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCreature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
When scientists exploring the Amazon River stumble on a “missing link” connecting humans and fish, they plan to capture it for later study. But the Creature has plans of his own, and has set his sights on the lead scientist's beautiful fiancée, Kay.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlue Monkey (1987)
A man pricks his finger while tending to an exotic plant and is rushed to the ER, where he is diagnosed with a bacterial infection before a worm-like parasite emerges from his mouth. As the infection spreads throughout the ER, the parasite is exposed to a genetic growth stimulant, which causes it grow to monstrous proportions and terrorize the hospital.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisHumanoids from the Deep (1980)
After a new cannery introduces scientifically augmented salmon to a seaside town in the Pacific Northwest, a species of mysterious, mutated sea creatures begin killing the men and raping the women.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisTremors (1990)
Val McKee and Earl Bassett are in a fight for their lives when they discover that their desolate town has been infested with gigantic, man-eating creatures that live below the ground.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJaws (1975)
When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town's chief of police, a young marine biologist, and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to kill the beast before it strikes again.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAnaconda (1997)
A 'National Geographic' film crew is taken hostage by an insane hunter, who takes them along on his quest to capture the world's largest — and deadliest — snake.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Fly (1986)
When brilliant, eccentric scientist Seth Brundle makes a huge technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a common housefly manages to get inside the device and the two become one.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHungry (2026)
A group of holidaymakers must fight for their lives against a rampaging hippo on the loose after becoming lost in the Louisiana swamplands.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBats (1999)
Genetically mutated bats escape and it's up to a bat expert and the local sheriff to stop them.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisArachnophobia (1990)
A large spider from the jungles of South America is accidentally transported in a crate with a dead body to America where it mates with a local spider. Soon after, the residents of a small California town disappear as the result of spider bites from the deadly spider offspring. It's up to a couple of doctors with the help of an insect exterminator to annihilate these eight legged freaks.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEight Legged Freaks (2002)
The residents of a rural mining town discover that an unfortunate chemical spill has caused hundreds of little spiders to mutate overnight to the size of SUVs. It's then up to mining engineer Chris McCormack and Sheriff Sam Parker to mobilize an eclectic group of townspeople, including the Sheriff's young son, Mike, her daughter, Ashley, and paranoid radio announcer Harlan, into battle against the bloodthirsty eight-legged beasts.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisJaws 2 (1978)
Police chief Brody must protect the citizens of Amity after a second monstrous shark begins terrorizing the waters.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Relic (1997)
A homicide detective teams up with an evolutionary biologist to hunt a giant creature that is killing people in a Chicago museum.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Thing (1982)
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRevenge of the Creature (1955)
In a tributary of the Amazon, a monster – half-man, half-fish – is captured and placed in a reservoir in a Florida national park to be observed by scientists.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisPiranha (1978)
When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWatchers (1988)
A boy takes in a stray dog, later finding out that it's an ultra-intelligent runaway from a genetic research lab. Unbeknownst to him, the dog is being stalked by another escaped creature that's not quite so friendly.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisPiranha 3D (2010)
Each year the population of sleepy Lake Victoria, Arizona explodes from 5,000 to 50,000 residents for the annual Spring Break celebration. But then, an earthquake opens an underwater chasm, releasing an enormous swarm of ancient Piranha that have been dormant for thousands of years, now with a taste for human flesh. This year, there's something more to worry about than the usual hangovers and complaints from locals, a new type of terror is about to be cut loose on Lake Victoria.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisRogue (2007)
When a group of tourists stumble into the remote Australian river territory of an enormous crocodile, the deadly creature traps them on a tiny mud island with the tide quickly rising and darkness descending. As the hungry predator closes in, they must fight for survival against all odds.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrawl (2019)
When a huge hurricane hits her hometown in Florida, Haley ignores evacuation orders to look for her father. After finding him badly wounded, both are trapped by the flood. With virtually no time to escape the storm, they discover that rising water levels are the least of their problems.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpecies (1995)
In 1993, the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Project receives a transmission detailing an alien DNA structure, along with instructions on how to splice it with human DNA. The result is Sil, a sensual but deadly creature who can change from a beautiful woman to an armour-plated killing machine in the blink of an eye.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisProphecy (1979)
When a dispute occurs between a logging operation and a nearby Native American tribe, Dr. Robert Verne and his wife, Maggie, are sent in to mediate. Chief John Hawks insists the loggers are poisoning the water supply, and, though company man Isley denies it, the Vernes can't ignore the strangely mutated wildlife roaming the woods. Robert captures a bear cub for testing and soon finds himself the target of an angry mutant grizzly.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisCujo (1983)
A friendly St. Bernard named "Cujo" contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeep Rising (1998)
A group of heavily armed hijackers board a luxury ocean liner in the South Pacific Ocean to loot it, only to do battle with a series of large-sized, tentacled, man-eating sea creatures who have taken over the ship first.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrocodile (2000)
Eight college students board a houseboat for spring break that promises to be the best of their young lives...how many will survive?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisRazorback (1984)
In the Australian outback a vicious wild boar kills and causes havoc to a small community.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisOrca (1977)
After witnessing the killing of his mate and offspring at the hands of a reckless Irish captain, a vengeful killer whale rampages through the fisherman's Newfoundland harbor. Under pressure from the villagers, the captain, a female marine biologist, and an Indigenous tribalist venture after the great beast, who will meet them on its own turf.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Alligator?
The closest matches to Alligator are Mimic (1997), Lake Placid (1999) and Deep Blue Sea (1999). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Alligator?
People who watched Alligator most often go on to Mimic (1997), Lake Placid (1999) and Deep Blue Sea (1999).
What is the highest-rated movie like Alligator?
The Thing (1982), rated 8.1/10 by 8,429 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Alligator?
Hungry (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Alligator?
Yes: Mimic (1997), Lake Placid (1999) and Deep Blue Sea (1999).
How are movies similar to Alligator chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Alligator, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.