Piranha

A gleefully pulpy riff on Jaws that blends creature feature thrills with 70s B-movie charm, where genetically enhanced piranhas turn a summer resort into a bloodthirsty nightmare.

• Joe Dante’s debut feature sets the tone for his career: sharp, self-aware, and fun with genre tropes
• Surprisingly spirited female lead and a cast that leans into the camp, elevating otherwise low-budget effects
• A practical-effects showcase that embraces its cheesiness rather than hiding it—no CGI polish, just gnashing teeth and rubbery menace
• Perfect for fans of creature features who appreciate the lineage from Jaws to the micro-budget frenzy of 80s horror aquatic terror
• Lacks gore but makes up for it with dark humor and a satirical jab at military hubris and small-town denial