Top 10 Serious Animal Attack Scenes in Movies
movies, films, serious, dramas, animals, animal attacks, violence, the edge, cujo, the omen, the ghost and the darkness, jurassic park, jaws, challenge of the tiger, arachnophobia, the grey, the birds, top 10, WatchMojo,
Script written by Nick Spake.
Even PETA wouldn’t make friends with these beasts. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 serious animal attack scenes in movies.
For this list, we’re taking a look at big screen scenes in which animals attack man with intense and shocking results. If this isn’t enough carnage for you, also check out our lists for the Top 10 funny animal attack scenes and the Top 10 monstrous animal attack scenes!
#10: Hellhound Chase
The hellhound from the 2006 remake of “The Omen” is as loyal as any other dog. The problem is that his loyalties rest with Satan and his demonic offspring. When Damien’s adoptive father comes home to do the devil child in, the hellhound naturally plays watchdog. In a harrowing chase, it pursues Liev Schreiber down a pantry. Just when it looks like this unstoppable servant of Satan has him, Schreiber outwits the mutt with a trapdoor. This is why you don’t send a Rottweiler to do an axe-wielding nanny’s job.
#9: Spider in the Shower
Whether it’s Norman Bates or a small spider, the shower is the most vulnerable possible place to suddenly be ambushed...excluding maybe the toilet. This 1990 creature feature makes the audience tingle with anxiety as a spider crawls up a shower curtain and leaps onto an unsuspecting young lady. Watching the eight-legged predator creep around her naked flesh, we can’t help but check our own bodies in paranoia. As disturbing as the scene is, it also works in some welcome humor as the bathing beauty finally realizes she’s not alone.
#8: Cujo and the Car
Whoever deemed dogs Man’s Best Friend clearly never met Cujo. In this adaptation of the Stephen King classic, Donna Trenton and her son arrive at a rural house. As the lingering cinematography closes in on the mother and son, the audience is tricked into thinking they’re witnessing matters from Cujo’s POV. Then from the car’s other side, the mongrel unexpectedly emerges. As over-the-top as “Cujo” might be, this scene preys on our fears of being trapped in a claustrophobic area with an unrelenting beast trying to break in. Bad doggie.
#7: Bruce Le vs. a Bull
With a title like “Challenge of the Tiger,” one would think this movie would include a fight involving, you know, A TIGER. Instead we get Bruce Le – who is not Bruce Lee, L-E-E, but is known as a Bruce Lee clone – taking on a bull, which, to be fair, is equally kickass. Literally taking the bull by the horns, Le’s Huang Lung engages in a showdown that’s as ridiculous as it is entertaining. Armed only with a cape and his own fists, the martial arts master squarely kicks the bull and the camera multiple times. Then as a grand finale, Le delivers his version of the estocada.
#6: The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Very loosely based on actual events, “The Ghost and the Darkness” centers on an engineer and a hunter trying to take out a couple of man-eating lions in Africa. After teaching one lion about the circle of life, Val Kilmer attempts to attract the other one with a blazing fire. The overgrown feline catches Kilmer off guard, however, hunting him across a bridge and up a tree. After snatching a trusty rifle, though, our hero finally dethrones the king of the jungle. Well, that’s one way to sort it out.
#5: When Wolves Attack
“The Grey” almost feels like something out of science fiction with the characters landing in a foreign terrain populated by savage monsters. The monsters in question are wolves and never before has the species appeared more ruthless. From the initial moment one takes a bite out of Liam Neeson, it’s clear we’re in store for one helluva survival story. With eyes glowing in the dark, bloodthirsty teeth, and spine-chilling growls, they’re one pack you’ll never want to encounter in the dead of night or on a foggy day.
#4: I’m Gonna Kill the Bear
From the early ‘80s to the late ‘90s, Bart the Bear was one of the most popular trained animals in showbiz. The Kodiak bear made one of his final appearances in “The Edge” where he stalks the stranded Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Using blood to lure Bart out, the men set a trap for him. When that doesn’t work, Hopkins settles the score man to bear. Equipped with a sharpened piece of wood, he impales Bart through the chest and relishes in his remains. Now that’s man vs. wild!
#3: T-Rex Breaks Free
As cool as those Velociraptors are, nothing can top a T-Rex. The buildup to the Tyrannosaurus in “Jurassic Park” is nothing short of exhilarating. We know something big is coming as water ripples in a cup. When the carnivore finally surfaces, we’re not sure whether to scream or cheer. This scene has too many iconic moments to count, from the T-Rex flipping the car to the lawyer being eaten on the toilet. The sheer sound of the T-Rex’s roar, however, perfectly sums up this scene’s awesomeness in all its majesty.
#2: Birds Attack Gas Station
Although they might seem harmless, birds can be truly chilling and even frightening presences, as represented in this 1963 classic from Alfred Hitchcock. “The Birds” of course works in a number of bird attacks, each one more suspenseful than the last. In this particular sequence, the feathered fiends instigate a gas station explosion and engulf the town. Caged in a phone booth, Melanie is forced to watch the fiery chaos ensue. With cars crashing, horses stampeding, and birds pecking people to death, this scene is the very definition of apocalyptic.
Before we’re devoured by our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- ‘Twas a Good Death
“Legends of the Fall” (1994)
- Snake Face Punch
“Hard Target” (1993)
- Gorillas Attack
“Congo” (1995)
#1: Chrissie’s Last Swim
While just about any shark attack sequence from “Jaws” could have topped this list, the film’s opening earns this spot for accomplishing so much with so little. Never actually exposing the shark as it advances towards a skinny dipping lady, this scene instead builds tension through John Williams’ haunting score, Bill Butler’s spectacular cinematography, and Susan Backlinie’s utterly convincing performance as Chrissie. Whether you’re screaming in your seat or running out of the theater screaming, you won’t be going in the water any time soon after watching this immortal scene.
Do you agree with our list? What big screen attack scenes forever made you wary of animals? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Top 10 Serious Animal Attack Scenes in Movies
Even PETA wouldn’t make friends with these beasts. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 serious animal attack scenes in movies.
For this list, we’re taking a look at big screen scenes in which animals attack man with intense and shocking results. If this isn’t enough carnage for you, also check out our lists for the Top 10 funny animal attack scenes and the Top 10 monstrous animal attack scenes!
#10: Hellhound Chase
“The Omen” (2006)
The hellhound from the 2006 remake of “The Omen” is as loyal as any other dog. The problem is that his loyalties rest with Satan and his demonic offspring. When Damien’s adoptive father comes home to do the devil child in, the hellhound naturally plays watchdog. In a harrowing chase, it pursues Liev Schreiber down a pantry. Just when it looks like this unstoppable servant of Satan has him, Schreiber outwits the mutt with a trapdoor. This is why you don’t send a Rottweiler to do an axe-wielding nanny’s job.#9: Spider in the Shower
“Arachnophobia” (1990)
Whether it’s Norman Bates or a small spider, the shower is the most vulnerable possible place to suddenly be ambushed...excluding maybe the toilet. This 1990 creature feature makes the audience tingle with anxiety as a spider crawls up a shower curtain and leaps onto an unsuspecting young lady. Watching the eight-legged predator creep around her naked flesh, we can’t help but check our own bodies in paranoia. As disturbing as the scene is, it also works in some welcome humor as the bathing beauty finally realizes she’s not alone.#8: Cujo and the Car
“Cujo” (1983)
Whoever deemed dogs Man’s Best Friend clearly never met Cujo. In this adaptation of the Stephen King classic, Donna Trenton and her son arrive at a rural house. As the lingering cinematography closes in on the mother and son, the audience is tricked into thinking they’re witnessing matters from Cujo’s POV. Then from the car’s other side, the mongrel unexpectedly emerges. As over-the-top as “Cujo” might be, this scene preys on our fears of being trapped in a claustrophobic area with an unrelenting beast trying to break in. Bad doggie.#7: Bruce Le vs. a Bull
“Challenge of the Tiger” (1980)
With a title like “Challenge of the Tiger,” one would think this movie would include a fight involving, you know, A TIGER. Instead we get Bruce Le – who is not Bruce Lee, L-E-E, but is known as a Bruce Lee clone – taking on a bull, which, to be fair, is equally kickass. Literally taking the bull by the horns, Le’s Huang Lung engages in a showdown that’s as ridiculous as it is entertaining. Armed only with a cape and his own fists, the martial arts master squarely kicks the bull and the camera multiple times. Then as a grand finale, Le delivers his version of the estocada.#6: The Lion Sleeps Tonight
“The Ghost and the Darkness” (1996)
Very loosely based on actual events, “The Ghost and the Darkness” centers on an engineer and a hunter trying to take out a couple of man-eating lions in Africa. After teaching one lion about the circle of life, Val Kilmer attempts to attract the other one with a blazing fire. The overgrown feline catches Kilmer off guard, however, hunting him across a bridge and up a tree. After snatching a trusty rifle, though, our hero finally dethrones the king of the jungle. Well, that’s one way to sort it out.#5: When Wolves Attack
“The Grey” (2011)
“The Grey” almost feels like something out of science fiction with the characters landing in a foreign terrain populated by savage monsters. The monsters in question are wolves and never before has the species appeared more ruthless. From the initial moment one takes a bite out of Liam Neeson, it’s clear we’re in store for one helluva survival story. With eyes glowing in the dark, bloodthirsty teeth, and spine-chilling growls, they’re one pack you’ll never want to encounter in the dead of night or on a foggy day. #4: I’m Gonna Kill the Bear
“The Edge” (1997)
From the early ‘80s to the late ‘90s, Bart the Bear was one of the most popular trained animals in showbiz. The Kodiak bear made one of his final appearances in “The Edge” where he stalks the stranded Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Using blood to lure Bart out, the men set a trap for him. When that doesn’t work, Hopkins settles the score man to bear. Equipped with a sharpened piece of wood, he impales Bart through the chest and relishes in his remains. Now that’s man vs. wild!#3: T-Rex Breaks Free
“Jurassic Park” (1993)
As cool as those Velociraptors are, nothing can top a T-Rex. The buildup to the Tyrannosaurus in “Jurassic Park” is nothing short of exhilarating. We know something big is coming as water ripples in a cup. When the carnivore finally surfaces, we’re not sure whether to scream or cheer. This scene has too many iconic moments to count, from the T-Rex flipping the car to the lawyer being eaten on the toilet. The sheer sound of the T-Rex’s roar, however, perfectly sums up this scene’s awesomeness in all its majesty.#2: Birds Attack Gas Station
“The Birds” (1963)
Although they might seem harmless, birds can be truly chilling and even frightening presences, as represented in this 1963 classic from Alfred Hitchcock. “The Birds” of course works in a number of bird attacks, each one more suspenseful than the last. In this particular sequence, the feathered fiends instigate a gas station explosion and engulf the town. Caged in a phone booth, Melanie is forced to watch the fiery chaos ensue. With cars crashing, horses stampeding, and birds pecking people to death, this scene is the very definition of apocalyptic.Before we’re devoured by our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- ‘Twas a Good Death
“Legends of the Fall” (1994)
- Snake Face Punch
“Hard Target” (1993)
- Gorillas Attack
“Congo” (1995)
#1: Chrissie’s Last Swim
“Jaws” (1975)
While just about any shark attack sequence from “Jaws” could have topped this list, the film’s opening earns this spot for accomplishing so much with so little. Never actually exposing the shark as it advances towards a skinny dipping lady, this scene instead builds tension through John Williams’ haunting score, Bill Butler’s spectacular cinematography, and Susan Backlinie’s utterly convincing performance as Chrissie. Whether you’re screaming in your seat or running out of the theater screaming, you won’t be going in the water any time soon after watching this immortal scene.Do you agree with our list? What big screen attack scenes forever made you wary of animals? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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