“Bitchin’!”
Critters 2: The Main Course takes everything fans loved about the original and cranks it up a notch. The tiny alien terrors multiply into an all-out invasion, the comedy gets goofier, and the practical creature effects become even more ambitious. It was director Mick Garris’s feature directorial debut, and he gave the sequel its own energetic personality while retaining the mischievous spirit of the first film.
One of the film’s biggest highlights is its unforgettable Easter setting. What starts as a small town holiday celebration quickly spirals into chaos when hidden Critter eggs hatch and lead to outrageous attacks and one of the franchise’s most memorable sequences: the massive rolling Critter ball that barrels through Grover’s Bend. It’s just the kind of over-the-top spectacle that made late 80s creature features so much fun.
While it was never as popular as Gremlins or Ghoulies, Critters 2 has become a cult favorite among horror fans who appreciate practical effects, quirky humor, and frenetic monster mayhem. For anyone looking for a fun slice of VHS-era creature horror, it’s an easy recommendation and a worthy addition to the Vault.
I caught Critters 2: The Main Course on opening night at the theater. It was fun, but honestly, it played even better on video.
Vault Fact File
Title: Critters 2: The Main Course
Year: 1988
Director: Mick Garris
Runtime: 86 minutes
Rated: PG-13
Studio: New Line Cinema
Tagline: “The Crites Are Back… and They’re Hungry!”
Creature Count: Hundreds of ravenous Crites by the explosive finale.
Final Hero Energy: Charlie McFadden returns to battle the alien menace with plenty of firepower.
Chaos Level: Small-town Easter festivities don’t stand a chance.
Notable Cast:
• Scott Grimes (Brad Brown)
• Don Keith Opper (Charlie McFadden)
• Terrence Mann (Ug)
• Cynthia Garris (Lee)
• Barry Corbin (Harv)
Fun Fact: Critters 2: The Main Course marked Mick Garris’s feature film directorial debut, years before he became one of horror’s most respected filmmakers through his many Stephen King adaptations.
Legacy: Packed with practical creature effects, outrageous humor, and the unforgettable giant Critter ball, Critters 2 remains one of the most entertaining creature features of the VHS era and a cult favorite among ’80s horror fans.
⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?
If you love your creature features with a mix of gore, slapstick, and ’80s practical effects, this sequel is a rewind every time. It’s bigger, bloodier, and wilder than the original. Perfect for late-night VHS marathons.
🎥 WATCH IT
Critters 2: The Main Course is available for streaming or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch the official trailer for Critters 2: The Main Course (1988):