Alligator (1980): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Alligator is a 1980 sci-fi thriller directed by Lewis Teague, starring Robert Forster, Robin Riker and Henry Silva. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Lewis Teague
- Original language
-
English
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Alligator About?
The premise of Alligator without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A discarded pet alligator, grown to enormous size, terrorizes a city. A herpetologist and a detective team up to hunt the massive reptile, discovering a disturbing connection to its unusual growth. The investigation reveals a dark secret and a dangerous threat to the unsuspecting public as they struggle to stop the alligator before it causes further destruction.
Alligator Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- alligator
- giant animal
- sewer
- baby alligator
- toxic waste
- time bomb
- police officer
- female scientist
- haunted by the past
- wisecrack humor
- gore
- blood
+38 more Show fewer
- animal experimentation
- dark comedy
- toilet
- monster
- manhole
- creature feature
- hunter
- mutation
- scientist
- animal attack
- surprise ending
- animal in title
- police officer killed
- male pattern baldness
- running gag
- dismemberment
- boy
- premarital sex
- explosive
- explosion
- corruption
- growth hormone
- dognapping
- screaming
- leg bitten off
- carcass
- suspended cop
- rogue cop
- death of police partner
- crooked businessman
- alligator wrestling
- alley
- bomb threat
- panic
- body part
- underground explosion
- wedding
- missing person
Alligator Cast
Robert Forster leads the cast, with Robin Riker and Henry Silva. Directed by Lewis Teague; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Lewis Teague
Also Starring in Alligator
· 6 moreAlligator Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Alligator 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 87% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 49%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB
Alligator Plot Summary
What happens in Alligator from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film begins with a young girl attending an exciting alligator stunt show during a family vacation in sunny Florida. As the audience marvels at thrilling interactions with the alligators, chaos ensues when one of the performers is unexpectedly attacked and mauled. The spectators react with a mix of shock and fascination, while the show’s proprietors seize the moment to sell baby alligators as souvenirs. Captivated, the little girl purchases one, names him Ramon, and takes him back to her home in Chicago, putting him in an aquarium. Unfortunately, her joy is short-lived when her father, in a fit of anger, flushes Ramon down the toilet. However, unbeknownst to them, Ramon survives, making the city’s sewer system his new home.
Full summary
The whole story of Alligator, scene by scene
Alligator Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Alligator ≣ 1980 ≣ Trailer
How Well Do You Know Alligator?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What does the young girl in the movie name the baby alligator?
Cars in Alligator
40 cars on screen, including the 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and the 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood 75.
-
1966 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Important role -
1972 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Important role -
1977 Dodge Monaco Important role -
1975 Ford Econoline Important role
Alligator Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Der Killer-Alligator” and “La bestia bajo el asfalto”.
- Also known as
-
- Der Killer-Alligator
- La bestia bajo el asfalto
- El cocodrilo mortal
- L'incroyable alligator
- Alligator - O Jacaré Gigante
- Der Horror-Alligator
- Az aligátor
- 大鳄鱼
- Aligátor
- Timsah
- Алигатор
- Alligator: Uhyret under byens gader
+9 more Show fewer
- Alligator: O Jacaré Gigante
- Аллигатор
- تمساح ۱
- Aligator
- 엘리게이터
- โคตรไอ้เคี่ยม
- Алігатор
- アリゲーター
- Alligaattori
Seen Alligator?
Movies Like Alligator
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Alligator 2: The Mutation, The Alligator People and The Great Alligator.
Alligator FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Alligator, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Alligator?
Alligator runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Alligator released?
Alligator was released on November 14, 1980.
Who directed Alligator?
Alligator was directed by Lewis Teague.
More films by Lewis Teague Who is in the cast of Alligator?
Alligator stars Robert Forster, Robin Riker and Henry Silva, among 10 credited actors.
How is Alligator rated?
Alligator has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Does Alligator have a post-credit scene?
No. Alligator has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
