Tremors Franchise Ranked

This is a franchise that’s so much fun to watch. They may not be perfect films per se, but they’re damn entertaining at least. Here’s how I rank them:

Tremors (1990)

It’s an excellent mix of horror, comedy, and sci-fi and still the best in the franchise. The premise is simple; a group of townsfolk have to defend Perfection, their small Nevada town from a Graboid invasion. Graboids are monsters that live under the ground and hunt their prey via seismic vibrations made on the surface. They’re a unique type of movie monster and they work thanks to some great special effects. It’s tense, funny, entertaining, and features some great acting, especially from Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and Michael Gross.

Tremors II: Aftershocks (1996)

This one was worthy of a theatrical release because it really doesn’t feel like a DTV film at all if you ask me. It helps that they got Fred Ward back in the lead role and Michael Gross returns too as Burt Gummer, one of the coolest movie characters of all time. It’s cool to see the evolution of the Graboid because it makes for such a fun final act.

Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)

This was totally worth the wait. It’s easily the best in the series since II. Michael Gross is as fine as ever as Burt Gummer and the South African setting is well utilized. Jaimie Kennedy is great in his supporting role and how his character fits into the series is quite interesting and unexpected. It’s all around fun.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001)

Michael Gross returns once again as Burt Gummer, and this time he’s in the leading role and totally nails it. Some characters from the first film return too and there are some new ones as well, including “Desert” Jack Sawyer, a carefree con man who must team up with Burt to take on the new Graboid infestation. This film introduces the “ass blaster”, a new monster totally ridiculous in concept, but hell, it works. The only major flaws are that film’s low budget really shows at times (the CGI can be rather awful), and the final act drags a bit, but it’s still a lot of fun and Gross is enough to carry it.

Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004)

A lot aren’t big on this one and I can understand that. Personally, I like it, but it’s easily my least favorite of the franchise. The prequel approach, while a cool idea isn’t utilized as well as it could’ve been. The western elements don’t add much of anything and the features a surprising lack of Graboid action, which kills the fun factor. Burt’s ancestor, Hiram Gummer being written completely different than Burt was an ironic touch and even kind of funny, but he’s not very likeable for most of the film. The last act is when the film really gets fun and is enough to save it from being a total letdown.

Tremors (2003) - TV Series

Figured I had to mention it because it’s still canon with the series since it takes place after the events of 3. It features everything that’s great about the films and adds some new elements and conflicts as well. It’s worth checking out if you love the films, but unfortunately it only had one season because the Sci-Fi channel canceled it (expect anything different from them?).