Anaconda (film series)
| Anaconda | |
|---|---|
 Cover for the DVD box set containing the first four films | |
| Created by | |
| Original work | Anaconda (1997) |
| Owners | Sony Pictures (Sony Pictures Releasing) |
| Years | 1997–present |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) |
|
Anaconda (also known as Anacondas) is an American horror film series created by Hans Bauer, Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. Produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, the series began with Anaconda (1997) directed by Luis Llosa, and was followed by one theatrical stand-alone sequel, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004) directed by Dwight Little, and three television sequels, Anaconda 3: Offspring (2008), Anacondas: Trail of Blood (2009), both directed by Don E. FauntLeRoy, and Lake Placid vs. Anaconda (2015) directed by A.B. Stone and being a crossover with the Lake Placid film series. Along with a 2024 Chinese remake of the same name, Anaconda (2024) directed by Xiang Qui Liang and Xiang He Sheng.[1] Each installment revolves around giant man-eating anacondas and the efforts of various groups of people to capture or destroy the creatures. The fictional plant known as the Blood Orchid and the company Wexel Hall Pharmaceuticals as well as the fictitious Murdoch family are repeatedly referenced in the films.
A reboot is currently in production from Sony Pictures.[2]
Films
[edit]| Film | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda | April 11, 1997 | Luis Llosa | Jim Cash, Hans Bauer & Jack Epps Jr. | Verna Harrah, Carol Little & Leonard Rabinowitz | |
| Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid | August 27, 2004 | Dwight H. Little | John Claflin, Daniel Zelman, Michael Miner & Edward Neumeier | Jim Cash, Hans Bauer & Jack Epps Jr. | Verna Harrah |
| Anaconda 3: Offspring | July 26, 2008 | Don E. FauntLeRoy | David Olson & Nicholas Davidoff | Alison Semenza | |
| Anacondas: Trail of Blood | February 28, 2009 | David Olson | |||
| Lake Placid vs. Anaconda | April 25, 2015 | A.B. Stone | Berkeley Anderson | Phillip Roth & Jeffery Beach | |
| Anaconda | December 25, 2025 | Tom Gormican | Tom Gormican & Kevin Etten | Brad Fuller & Andrew Form | |
Anaconda (1997)
[edit]A documentary film crew travels deep into the Amazon rainforest to film a story about a secluded tribe. They encounter a massive, deadly anaconda that begins hunting them one by one. As the crew fights for survival, they realize they are not only being stalked by the snake but also by a mysterious man who has seeks to capture the gaint snake.
Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)
[edit]A group of researchers embarks on an expedition to the jungles of Borneo in search of the rare Blood Orchid, believed to have medicinal properties. However, they encounter a massive breed of aggressive and dangerous Anaconda. As they venture deeper into the jungle, they must fight for survival against both the snakes, the unforgiving environment, and their own ambitions.
Anaconda 3: Offspring (2008)
[edit]The film follows a team of scientists working in a remote facility for Wexel Hall where they are experimenting with genetic engineering and the Blood Orchid. They inadvertently create a new breed of anaconda, which grows to monstrous size and escapes into the wild. As the snakes escape and wreak havoc, a group of mercenaries and the scientists must work together to stop it before it reaches a populated area.
Anacondas: Trail of Blood (2009)
[edit]Amanda, a former scientist behind the creation of genetically engineered anacondas of the last film, must stop the last of the mutant anacondas she helped create after it gained regenerative abilities from the Blood Orchid's experiments. As the creature grows deadlier, Amanda joins a group of survivors to track it down and prevent it from wreacking further havoc.
Lake Placid vs. Anaconda (2015)
[edit]Wexell Hall inadvertently causes a new generation of Anacondas to escape into the crocodile-infested Black Lake. As the deadly snakes wreak havoc on the town, Sheriff Reba and her team must face off against the killer reptiles. With both creatures threatening the town's survival, the characters must find a way to stop the carnage and prevent further destruction.
Anaconda (2025)
[edit]In January 2020, it was announced that Columbia Pictures was developing a reboot of the 1997 cult film Anaconda, with Evan Daugherty attached to write the screenplay.[3] In March 2023, Tom Gormican was attached as the director of the film.[4] In August 2024, Jack Black and Paul Rudd were cast in the leading roles, with Tom Gormican confirmed to direct from a screenplay written by Gormican and Kevin Etten.[5] In September, Daniela Melchior joined the cast.[6] In December, it was later announced that the film will officially be releasing on December 25, 2025.[7]
International releases
[edit]Anaconda (2024)
[edit]A remake of the 1997 film was released in China on March 1, 2024. A group of circus performers, on their way to what they think is a new performance location, become stranded in a lush rainforest after the boat they were on, and the captain leading the way, are eaten and destroyed by an anaconda. They cross paths with a deadly poacher who is hunting the anaconda, who realizes that he might now have enough bait to catch him. But being circus performers, they have a few survival tricks up their sleeves.
Cast and crew
[edit]Cast
[edit]Key
- An A indicates an appearance through archival footage.
- A dark gray cell indicates the character was not in the film.
| Character | Films | Reboot | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda | Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid |
Anaconda 3: Offspring |
Anacondas: Trail of Blood |
Lake Placid vs. Anaconda | Anaconda | ||||
| 1997 | 2004 | 2008 | 2009 | 2015 | 2025 | ||||
| Terri Flores | Jennifer Lopez | Mentioned | |||||||
| Danny Rich | Ice Cube | ||||||||
| Paulerson "Paul" Serone | Jon Voight | ||||||||
| Professor Steven "Steve" Cale | Eric Stoltz | ||||||||
| Warren Westridge | Jonathan Hyde | ||||||||
| Gary Dixon | Owen Wilson | ||||||||
| Denise Kalberg | Kari Wuhrer | ||||||||
| Mateo | Vincent Castellanos | ||||||||
| Poacher | Danny Trejo | ||||||||
| William "Bill" Johnson | Johnny Messner | ||||||||
| Samantha "Sam" Rogers | KaDee Strickland | ||||||||
| Dr. Jackson "Jack" Bryon | Matthew Marsden | ||||||||
| Cole Burris | Eugene Byrd | ||||||||
| Gail Stern | Salli Richardson-Whitfield | ||||||||
| Trenton "Tran" Wu | Karl Yune | ||||||||
| Gordon Mitchell | Morris Chestnut | ||||||||
| Dr. Benjamin "Ben" Douglas | Nicholas Gonzalez | ||||||||
| John Livingston | Andy Anderson | ||||||||
| Stephen Hammett | David Hasselhoff | ||||||||
| Dr. Amanda Hayes | Crystal Allen | ||||||||
| Peter "J.D." Murdoch | John Rhys-Davies | Mentioned | |||||||
| Pinkus | Ryan McCluskey | ||||||||
| Nick | Patrick Regis | ||||||||
| Andrei | Alin Olteanu | ||||||||
| Grozny | Anthony Green | Anthony GreenA | |||||||
| Victor | Toma Danilă | Toma DanilăA | |||||||
| Sofia | Milhaela Oros | Milhaela OrosA | |||||||
| Professor Eric Kane | Şerban Celea | Şerban CeleaA | |||||||
| Darryl | Alin Constantinescu | Alin ConstantinescuA | |||||||
| Peter Reysner | Zoltan Butuc | ||||||||
| Murdoch's Assistant | Cristina Teodorescu | ||||||||
| Jackson | Linden Ashby | ||||||||
| Scott | Danny Midwinter | ||||||||
| Alex | Călin Stanciu | ||||||||
| Heather | Ana Ularu | ||||||||
| Wendy | Anca Androne | ||||||||
| Eugene | Emil Hostina | ||||||||
| Will "Tully" Tull | Corin Nemec | ||||||||
| Reba | Yancy Butler | ||||||||
| Jim Bickerman | Robert Englund | ||||||||
| Bethany Tull | Skye Lourie | ||||||||
| Sarah Murdoch | Annabel Wright | ||||||||
| Beach | Stephen Billington | ||||||||
| Tiffani | Laura Dale | ||||||||
| Margo | Ali Eagle | ||||||||
| Deputy Ferguson | Oliver Walker | ||||||||
| TBA | Jack Black | ||||||||
| Paul Rudd | |||||||||
| Daniela Melchior | |||||||||
Crew
[edit]| Role | Film | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda | Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid |
Anaconda 3: Offspring |
Anacondas: Trail of Blood |
Lake Placid vs. Anaconda | |
| 1997 | 2004 | 2008 | 2009 | 2015 | |
| Composer(s) | Randy Edelman | Nerida Tyson-Chew | Peter Meisner | Claude Foisy | |
| Cinematographer | Bill Butler | Stephen F. Windon | Don E. FauntLeRoy | Ivo Peitchev | |
| Editor | Michael R. Miller | Marcus D'Arcy Mark Warner |
Scott Conrad | Cameron Hallenbeck | |
| Production companies | Columbia Pictures Cinema Line Film Corporation |
Screen Gems Middle Fork Productions |
Stage 6 Films Hollywood Media Bridge Castel Film Romania Really Big Snake Productions |
Destination Films UFO International | |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Releasing | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment | |||
| Running time | 89 minutes | 97 minutes | 91 minutes | 89 minutes | 92 minutes |
Reception
[edit]Box office performance
[edit]| Film | Release date | Box office gross | Budget | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Other territories |
Worldwide | ||||
| Anaconda (1997) | April 11, 1997 | $65,885,767 | $71,000,000 | $136,885,767 | $45 million | [8] |
| Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid | August 27, 2004 | $32,238,923 | $38,753,975 | $70,992,898 | $25 million | [9] |
| Total | $98,124,690 | $109,753,975 | $207,878,669 | $70 million | [10] | |
Critical response
[edit]| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|
| Anaconda (1997) | 41% (54 reviews)[11] | 37 (20 reviews)[12] |
| Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid | 26% (121 reviews)[13] | 40 (28 reviews)[14] |
Music
[edit]Soundtracks
[edit]| Title | U.S. release date | Length | Composer(s) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda (1997): Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | April 22, 1997 | 33:56 | Randy Edelman | Edel America Records |
| Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | August 30, 2004 | 60:57 | Nerida Tyson-Chew | Varèse Sarabande |
Other media
[edit]Novelization
[edit]Anaconda: The Writer's Cut is a novel by Hans Bauer published in 2014. Bauer also wrote the screenplay for the 1997 film Anaconda and its 2004 sequel Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid.[15]
Video games
[edit]- Quake Anaconda Mod (1997)
Promoting the original film's release, Sony released a free total conversion mod for Quake Mission Pack No. 1: Scourge of Armagon, which featured new snake enemies and a large Anaconda boss character.[16][17]
- Anacondas Arcade Game (2004)
Anacondas Arcade Game is an online interactive game produced by Sony Studios in 2004 to promote the film Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid from the same year.[18]
- Anacondas 3D: Adventure Game (2004)
Anacondas 3D: Adventure Game is an online interactive game produced by Sony Studios in 2004 to promote the film Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid from the same year.[19][20]
- Snakes on a Babe (2008)
Snakes on a Babe is an online interactive game produced in 2008 to promote the film Anaconda 3: Offspring from the same year.[21][22]
References
[edit]- ^ Squires, John (2024-03-26). "'Anaconda' Trailer – Preview Brutal Chinese Remake of the 1997 American Creature Feature!". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Prasad, Sumith (2023-10-23). "Anaconda Reboot: Plot and Character Details Revealed". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Kit, Borys (January 24, 2020). "'Anaconda' Reboot in the Works With 'Snow White and the Huntsman' Writer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ Kamal, Nathan (March 11, 2023). "Exclusive: Anaconda Reboot In Development From Massive Talent Director". Giant Freakin Robot. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 21, 2024). "Jack Black, Paul Rudd Circling Reimagining of Horror Movie 'Anaconda'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 30, 2024). "Daniela Melchior Joins Paul Rudd And Jack Black In Sony's New 'Anaconda' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (December 20, 2024). "Paul Rudd, Jack Black's 'Anaconda' Comedy Lands 2025 Holiday Release". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "Anaconda (1997)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
- ^ "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
- ^ "Box Office History for Anaconda Movies". The Numbers. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
- ^ "Anaconda (1997)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "Anaconda". Metacritic. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
- ^ "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid". Metacritic. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
- ^ Anaconda: The Writer's Cut - Kindle edition by Hans Bauer. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. 23 January 2014.
- ^ "Blue's Quake News - March 29 - April 4, 1997". Blue's News.
- ^ "anaconda.zip - Anaconda by Magicman in the Quake map archive at Quaddicted.com". www.quaddicted.com.
- ^ "Play Anacondas | Play Free Addicting Games Online". www.freeaddictinggames.com.
- ^ "Anacondas: 3D Adventure Game FULL GAME - download". Gamepressure.com.
- ^ "Anacondas 3D Adventure Game. Get the software safe and easy". Software Informer.
- ^ "Anaconda 3 – The Offspring Presents: Snakes on a Babe". Beyond Hollywood. 2008-10-28. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original (flash) on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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