Hollywood's Top 10 Most Thrilling Snake Films

Dhaka
July 03, 2024, 08:59 AM
by Kawser Md Sayem

UNB News
Dhaka
Publish- July 03, 2024, 08:59 AM
Kawser Md Sayem
Update- July 03, 2024, 09:28 AM

Hollywood's Top 10 Most Thrilling Snake Films

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011), The Jungle Book (2016), Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Beowulf (2007) and Anaconda (1997)

Snakes have slithered their way into Hollywood, captivating audiences with their menacing presence and deadly allure. These reptiles have become iconic in horror and adventure films, from giant anacondas to venomous vipers. Let’s delve into the spine-chilling journey and discover the best Hollywood snake films celebrating the most thrilling snake moments on the silver screen.

Greatest Movies Involving Snakes Made in Hollywood

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows | Grossing $330 Mn Part 1 (2010); $1.3 Bn Part 2 (2011)

These cinematic gems comprise the two-part adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s 2007 novel, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’, concluding the acclaimed Harry Potter film series.

Directed by David Yates, these movies chronicle Harry Potter’s quest, at Dumbledore’s behest, to locate and destroy Lord Voldemort’s Horcruxes – keys to his immortality.

Daniel Radcliffe stars throughout the franchise as the titular character, alongside Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

While snakes aren’t central to any single instalment of the franchise, an integral character named Nagini, a snake, plays a pivotal role. Its scenes are intense and suspenseful, especially knowing it is both a deadly predator and a crucial part of Voldemort's plan.

The franchise’s final chapter earned acclaim, securing the Best Special Visual Effects accolade at the British Academy Film Awards. Part 1 has an IMDb rating of 7.7/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 77%, while Part 2 is rated 8.1/10 on IMDb and holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%.

The Jungle Book | 2016 | Grossing USD 966 Million

Directed and produced by Jon Favreau, this fantasy adventure film is a live-action reimagining of Disney’s beloved 1967 animated classic. Neel Sethi shines as Mowgli, the orphaned human child guided by his animal mentors. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery while navigating the perilous threats of Shere Khan.

Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyong'o, Christopher Walken, and Giancarlo Esposito lend their talents through motion capture and voice performances in the film.

In ‘The Jungle Book’, Kaa the python is a hypnotic and deadly predator. The fear she instils comes from her ability to manipulate and deceive Mowgli, making her a lurking, ever-present threat in the jungle apart from Shere Khan.

Celebrated for its ground-breaking visual effects, this movie garnered prestigious awards at the Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and Critics' Choice Awards. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.4/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark | 1981 | Grossing USD 354 Million

This famous action-adventure movie stars Harrison Ford stars as Indiana Jones, an intrepid archaeologist. The U.S. government enlists him to locate the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis harness its formidable powers.

Apart from Ford, the action-adventure movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, stars Paul Freeman, Karen Allen, Ronald Lacey, Denholm Elliott, and John Rhys-Davies.

Although not a snake-focused film, the unforgettable scene of Indiana Jones and Marion sealed into the snake-infested Well of Souls remains one of cinema's most iconic snake moments.

The legendary film earned five Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects. The movie boasts an IMDb rating of 8.4/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%.

Beowulf | 2007 | Grossing USD 196.4 Million

Bringing the Old English epic poem Beowulf to life, Robert Zemeckis produced and directed this animated fantasy film. The action film features the voices of popular actors like Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Ray Winstone, Brendan Gleeson, Robin Wright Penn, John Malkovich, Crispin Glover, and Alison Lohman.

The movie delves into the legendary exploits of Beowulf, a renowned monster hunter who ventures to Denmark to confront a terrifying beast. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn, plunging him into a shocking experience unlike any he has ever faced before.

While not entirely focused on snakes, ‘Beowulf’ includes a terrifying depiction of the monster, which has serpent-like qualities. However, the main twist awaits the audience in the end, weaving a sense of epic horror more than any snake movie.

Anaconda | 1997 | Grossing USD 136.8 Million

Directed by Luis Llosa, this adventure horror film features an ensemble cast including Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Ice Cube, Owen Wilson, Eric Stoltz, and Jonathan Hyde.

The movie follows a documentary crew in the Amazon rainforest led by a skilled snake hunter in pursuit of a colossal, mythical green anaconda.

The suspenseful atmosphere, combined with the snake's sheer size and strength, creates a sense of dread. The film's use of practical effects and animatronics makes the snake appear more realistic and menacing, heightening the horror.

Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004), Snakes On A Plane (2006), Venom (1981), Hisss (2010), Them That Follow (2019)

Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid | 2004 | Grossing Almost USD 71 Million

Directed by Dwight Little, this movie is a sequel to Anaconda (1997) and predecessor to ‘Anaconda 3: Offspring’ (2008). The story follows a team of researchers embarking on an expedition to the Southeast Asian tropical island of Borneo in search of a sacred flower believed to grant immortal life. They soon find themselves hunted by deadly giant anacondas that inhabit the island.

‘Anaconda 2’ stars KaDee Strickland, Johnny Messner, Matthew Marsden, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Eugene Byrd, Morris Chestnut, Nicholas Gonzalez, and Karl Yune.

Unlike the first part, the snakes' intelligent hunting tactics and the protagonists' desperation to find the orchid add layers of suspense and fear.

Snakes On A Plane | 2006 | Grossing USD 62 Million

This action thriller film, directed by David R. Ellis, stars Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role. The film unfolds with a sinister plot: venomous snakes unleashed aboard a passenger plane in a desperate bid to eliminate a key trial witness.

Along with Jackson, the movie also stars Julianna Margulies, Bobby Cannavale, Elsa Pataky, Flex Alexander, Sunny Mabrey, Kenan Thompson, and David Koechner.

The confined space of the airplane, combined with the sheer number of snakes and their unpredictability, creates a relentless sense of panic and helplessness.

Venom | 1981 | Grossing USD 5.2 Million

Helmed by Piers Haggard, this British natural horror-thriller draws its chilling narrative from Alan Scholefield's novel of the same name. The storyline centers on terrorists attempting to kidnap a child, only to find themselves trapped in a house with an exceptionally deadly snake.

‘Venom’ features Oliver Reed, Klaus Kinski, Sarah Miles, and Nicol Williamson in pivotal roles.

The high-stakes scenario of a deadly black mamba with its aggressive nature and the characters' struggle for survival, creates a nerve-wracking experience.

Hisss | 2010 | Grossed USD 1.5 Million

Also known as ‘Nagin: The Snake Woman’, this adventure-horror flick is directed by Jennifer Lynch, who co-wrote the movie with Gulfam Khan. Indian actress Mallika Sherawat takes center stage, portraying the Far Eastern myth of a snake woman with the ability to assume human form.

The supporting roles were played by Divya Dutta, Irrfan Khan, and Jeff Doucette.

‘Hisss’ blends mythology and horror, featuring a shape-shifting snake goddess on a quest for vengeance. The transformation scenes and the goddess's deadly abilities are frightening, as they blur the line between human and snake.

Them That Follow | 2019 | Grossing Over USD 172 Thousand

Directed and written by Dan Madison Savage and Britt Poulton, the thriller movie is set deep within the untamed wilderness of Appalachia. This gripping thriller delves into the ritualistic world of believers who handle deadly snakes to prove their faith. Amidst this dangerous practice, a pastor's daughter harbors a dark secret that threatens to unravel her community’s fragile existence.

‘Them That Follow’ stars Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Colman, Walton Goggins, Alice Englert, Lewis Pullman, Jim Gaffigan, and Thomas Mann.

The real horror lies in the characters' willingness to handle deadly snakes as a test of faith. The film's tension builds around the inevitable danger and potential for fatal snake bites.

Summing Up

This list traces the highest-grossing and top-rated snake films in Hollywood history. ‘Anaconda 1 and 2’, ‘Snakes On A Plane,’ ‘Hisss,’ ‘Them That Follow,’ and ‘Venom’ highlight deadly snakes, delivering intense and terrifying encounters. Although not directly focused on snakes, ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ‘Beowulf,’ ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,’ and ‘The Jungle Book’ feature iconic serpent scenes in cinematic history. This movie line-up showcases compelling special effects to generate slithering sensations for horror lovers.