Piranha 3DD

A prehistoric school of ravenous piranhas resurfaces after the Lake Victoria incident, but this time they spread through plumbing and into populated swimming spots. When a flashy new water park opens, the fish find a perfect feeding ground and chaos follows. A mix of lifeguards, partygoers, local staff and a few wary residents scramble to figure out what is attacking swimmers and how to stop the outbreaks, while frantic attempts to close pools and warn the public collide with spring-break crowds and corporate interests. The film keeps the tone zany and bloody, focusing on mayhem and shock rather than mystery, and it avoids revealing any major plot twists here.

Directed by John Gulager, the film was written by Joel Soisson, Josh Stolberg and Patrick Melton as a follow-up to Piranha 3D. Released in 2012, it leaned into the 3D gimmick, broad comedy and youthful cast including Danielle Panabaker and Katrina Bowden.

Critics and audiences were divided, reflected in a low average rating, 4.321 out of 10 from 1,118 votes, with many reviewers pointing to its heavy reliance on gore, juvenile humor and thin plotting. Fans of B-movie horror appreciated the unapologetic silliness and frequent set-piece violence. Major themes are surface-level satire of spring-break excess, spectacle over substance, and the use of 3D effects to amplify shock rather than narrative depth.

Though not a mainstream hit, the movie found an audience among viewers who enjoy schlocky horror comedies. It helped cement a niche for over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek creature features in the early 2010s and is often mentioned among late-night horror marathons for its outrageous set pieces and cheeky tone.

The film opened to mixed notices and had a modest theatrical presence before finding more traction on home video and digital platforms. Its enduring appeal has mostly been among genre enthusiasts who enjoy its campy excess and practical-meets-CGI gore.