Actor Bill Pullman might be most recognized for his performances in various films like Independence Day and others, but in 1999, he took on a less recognized role in a chilling crocodile-themed movie titled “Lake Placid,” where it portrayed a giant reptile causing havoc among the residents of a fictional Maine town. Now, approximately 26 years later, this film has been gaining popularity on streaming platforms, as indicated by recent data.
Starting from July 5, my favorite movie featuring Bridget Fonda, Brendan Gleeson, Oliver Platt (known for his role in “The Bear”), Betty White, and Mariska Hargitay, has climbed to the Number 10 spot on AMC+’s Top 10 Movies in the United States. Directed by Steve Miner, who’s also known for directing “Friday the 13th Part 2” (1981) and “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” (1998), “Lake Placid” is a horror film that, in my opinion, is often overlooked and undervalued among its contemporaries.
A Gory Dark Comedy Flick
In a chilling blend of dark humor and horror, the narrative commences with Sheriff Hank Keogh idling in his boat on Black Lake, Maine. As a wildlife official embarks on a scuba diving expedition, events take a grisly twist when upon resurfacing, the official is found to be lacking his lower limbs.
In this scenario, Pullman portrays Jack Wells, a Fish and Wildlife officer, who, upon discovering a mysterious creature residing in the lake, collaborates with the sheriff to delve into the unexplained death. Fonda assumes the role of Kelly Scott, a paleontologist summoned to examine the peculiar incident following the discovery of a massive prehistoric tooth inside the remains of a deceased scuba diver. Platt takes on the character of Hector Cyr, a wealthy professor captivated by crocodiles, who interjects himself into the investigation. Cyr posits that the creature they are pursuing might actually be a crocodile in disguise.
Eventually, it was discovered that Delores Bickerman, portrayed by iconic actress Betty White, had been regularly feeding a crocodile in the lake. Additionally, it was uncovered that the crocodile had devoured her husband.
Lake Placid (1999)
| Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | IMDb Rating |
| 47% | 37% | 5.8/10 |
Betty White Provides a Comic Touch to Lake Placid
Although Lake Placid didn’t rake in an impressive global box office revenue of $56.8 million upon its release in 1999, given a production budget of $35 million, it has since become a beloved cult classic, largely due to Betty White’s performance that significantly contributed to the film’s cult following. Despite earning a “Rotten” 47% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie remains popular among audiences.
The movie gave birth to a series of sequels, including Lake Placid 2 (released in 2007), Lake Placid 3 (in 2010), Lake Placid: The Final Chapter (2012), Lake Placid vs. Anaconda (2015), and most recently, Lake Placid: Legacy (2018).
David E. Kelley, a renowned figure in television and film, penned the screenplay for Lake Placid. Known for an impressive career spanning decades, he’s the mastermind behind hit TV series such as Ally McBeal, The Practice, and more recently, Big Little Lies. His work has garnered him a total of 11 Emmy Awards.
Pullman Will Reprise His Role in this Sci-Fi Spoof Sequel
Moving forward with Pullman, he will be part of the cast for the upcoming “Spaceballs 2” sequel. This film is directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Josh Gad, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit. Joining him in this sequel to the original space parody are Mel Brooks and Daphne Zuniga. The release date for this hilarious space spoof is set for 2027.
As a cinephile myself, I can’t help but share an exciting piece of news. You might recall Bill Pullman from his iconic roles. Interestingly enough, his son has also ventured into the world of cinema, making his debut alongside his father in the 2017 film “The Ballad of Lefty Brown.” Now, here’s a tidbit that’ll get your superhero senses tingling: He is rumored to reprise his character from the Thunderbolts team in the highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday” movie!
Lake Placid is streaming on AMC+.
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2025-07-05 21:05