Often misleadingly categorized as a comedy, Arachnophobia has its share of suspense and creepy-crawling thrills. The story follows Dr. Jennings (Jeff Daniels) whose childhood fear of spiders is about to be drastically amplified when a deadly arachnid hitches a ride to his new home in a small town. An overconfident John Goodman costars in a purely comedic role as an oblivious exterminator with his own melancholy theme song. Hundreds of real spiders, including grotesquely large bird-eaters and tarantulas were used in this thrilling film that is sure to surprise those movie goers who are expecting a lighthearted comedy. Well-directed and expertly paced, you’ll never look at a spider the same way again!

- Mike Massie