Critters

On a quiet Kansas farm, a family suddenly finds itself at the mercy of carnivorous aliens that descend from the sky. A pair of intergalactic bounty hunters soon arrives, intent on wiping the intruders out and saving the planet from a not so friendly invasion. The clash between home life and a bizarre extraterrestrial threat plays out with brisk pacing, practical effects, and a wink at old school sci fi monsters. The story keeps the focus on the Brown family and their efforts to defend their patch of land without turning entirely grim, letting humor soften the danger. The humor stays balanced with moments of tension as the aliens menace the family, keeping the tone vibrant without tipping into cynicism.

Directed by Stephen Herek and based on an original concept by Domonic Muir, Critters arrived in 1986 from New World Pictures. The film blends practical creature effects with a pulp friendly sense of humor, a hallmark of 80s genre fare.

The film grossed about 13,167,232 in box office receipts on a 2,000,000 budget, signaling solid profitability for an 80s creature feature that found audiences through theatrical runs and later home video and cable airings around the world during its release.

The film helped establish a cult footprint and ignited a franchise of sequels that resonated with fans of practical effects and offbeat humor. It is frequently cited in discussions of 1980s horror comedy blends and small town monster movies, helping shape an industry of creature features built on practical effects.

Critical reception at the time leaned toward praising its energy and affection for its genre, while noting some uneven pacing. Viewers are drawn to the contrast between a tight family dynamic and the chaos of an alien invasion, which gives the film its charm and enduring appeal to many fans.