Despite being overlooked, the 1997 film Anaconda is a genuinely fun adventure movie, much like Roland Emmerich’s Godzilla. While Godzilla eventually gained appreciation, Anaconda found an audience quickly. It benefited from not being tied to an existing franchise, meaning it didn’t have to worry about meeting pre-set expectations. More importantly, it excels at creating a true sense of adventure. From the very beginning, with the iconic scene of the snake stalking Danny Trejo’s character, the film effectively builds tension and scares the audience, even if it doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves.
Despite being a classic, the original Anaconda film struggled to launch a successful series. We’ve ended up with seven movies, but they’re all quite different from each other. Luckily, that variety makes them fairly easy to compare. Let’s begin by looking at the three weakest installments.
7) Anaconda 3: Offspring
The first three movies on our list are low-budget, made-for-TV Syfy films. Even with recognizable actors, they’re visually poor and the acting isn’t great. A bad script can ruin a movie, even if it stars a talented actor like Robert Englund.
Syfy channel movies are often enjoyable when they’re hilariously bad, but Anaconda 3: Offspring doesn’t reach that level. Even with David Hasselhoff starring in it, the movie is just plain boring instead of entertainingly bad.
Stream Anaconda 3: Offspring for free with ads on Tubi.
6) Anacondas: Trail of Blood
Okay, so as a big fan of creature features, I’ll admit Anacondas: Trail of Blood is…a tiny step up from the first one. The story managed to grab my attention maybe five percent more, and honestly, the acting wasn’t completely awful. The biggest difference? They actually filmed it on location, which is a huge relief – the first movie was just a green screen mess, and it really showed.
The film didn’t really find its delightfully cheesy vibe until the sequel. What it really needed was more over-the-top action – like someone blowing up a grenade inside a snake, for example.
Stream Anacondas: Trail of Blood for free with ads on Tubi.
5) Lake Placid vs: Anaconda
In the movie Lake Placid vs. Anaconda, there’s a funny moment where a crocodile starts attacking a group including some mercenaries. The leader initially tells everyone not to shoot, explaining it’s against federal law. However, the crocodile starts eating one of them, and after a while, the leader gives up on the legal concerns and orders the group to open fire. Unfortunately, it’s too late – the victim is already torn in half. It’s safe to say the rules about shooting crocodiles don’t matter much when someone’s life is in danger.
All the characters in the film make similarly questionable decisions, which surprisingly makes it fun to watch – it’s enjoyably ridiculous, unlike the later sequels that just drag on. And it features Robert Englund, returning from his role in Lake Placid: The Final Chapter. The movie even hints at a Predalien storyline, but unfortunately, that idea was never explored in a follow-up.
Stream Lake Placid vs. Anaconda for free with ads on Tubi.
4) Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid
Before the recent sequel, there was only one other Anaconda movie, and it didn’t really capture the spirit of the original, which hurt its quality. However, it did get a theatrical release, which is why it ranks higher than many other direct-to-video sequels.
The movie Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid has one truly memorable scene, and it’s the one you likely saw in the trailer – the scene with the boat going over the waterfall. It features the group wading through a river, with a dramatic overhead shot of a huge snake swimming between them. A crew member playfully tries to scare a colleague by humming the Jaws theme, but he’s suddenly pulled under the water. She initially thinks it’s still a joke, until an anaconda explodes out of the water. Honestly, just watching those three minutes is enough of the movie.
Stream Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid for free with ads on Tubi.
3) Anaconda (2024)
Most people probably haven’t heard of it, but China’s take on Anaconda (released in the US as Anaconda: Cursed Jungle) successfully recreates the exciting and perilous atmosphere of the original 1997 film. It even shares a similar storyline.
The special effects are really well done, the acting is more dramatic than in previous films, and there are lots of exciting snake scenes. While this movie could easily be ranked second, the latest installment ultimately earned the spot due to its bolder approach.
Stream Anaconda (2024) for free with ads on Tubi.
2) Anaconda (2025)
While Anaconda sometimes tries to do too much, it’s generally a fun tribute to the 1997 film. Surprisingly, the movie shines brightest not when showcasing the snake – which is noticeably computer-generated – but when focusing on the affection Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) have for it.
The movie occasionally tries to be frightening, but it’s mostly a comedy with a weak message about Hollywood’s obsession with reboots. While Paul Rudd and Melissa Black are excellent, the supporting cast – including Daniela Melchior, Steve Zahn, and Thandiwe Newton – don’t get enough to do. Overall, it’s a fairly average film, earning around two and a half out of five stars.
1) Anaconda (1997)
While Anaconda has some famously awkward moments, it’s generally a better film than people give it credit for. The recent remake wasn’t a true reboot; it seemed to assume the original wasn’t popular enough to simply recreate. The stars of the new version claim their film has more depth and meaning than the original.
Why is it bad to simply make a classic ‘animals attack’ movie? That’s exactly what Anaconda does, and it works really well. It’s got some quirky choices – mostly from Jon Voight – that add a fun, cheesy element. The movie builds suspense perfectly, wisely revealing the snake slowly (the practical effects version looks fantastic, though the CGI isn’t as convincing), the actors all commit to the premise, and it’s a great throwback for anyone who grew up in the ’90s. Anaconda is genuinely enjoyable, and it’s a shame we never got a sequel – ideally released a few years later – that captured the same energy.
Beyond the main highlights, the movie has some truly memorable moments. The first glimpse of the Anaconda, struggling and roaring as it’s pulled behind the boat, is a fantastic creature reveal – right up there with the iconic shark reveal in Jaws. Another standout is the chilling shot of the second, even bigger anaconda dropping down from the ceiling in the final act. And speaking of the final act, it’s just excellent overall. Jon Voight’s character calmly tying up Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube’s characters, covering them in monkey blood, and then waiting for the snake to arrive is a brilliant way to build suspense and showcase the danger – even if it doesn’t end well for Voight’s character.
Stream Anaconda on Netflix.
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2025-12-30 01:15