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Tremors

Tremors is a 1990 American monster comedy-horror film directed by Ron Underwood and written by S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tremors is a 1990 American monster comedy-horror film directed by Ron Underwood and written by S. S. Wilson and Brent Maddock. Set in the fictional town of Perfection, Nevada, it follows residents confronting giant subterranean creatures called Graboids. The film launched a long-running franchise that includes sequels and a television series.

Plot

The film is set in the isolated desert town of Perfection, Nevada, where residents discover that strange deaths and seismic disturbances are caused by giant underground creatures known as Graboids.

Production

Tremors was directed by Ron Underwood in his feature directorial debut and written by S. S. Wilson and Brent Maddock from a story by Wilson, Maddock, and Underwood.

Cast

The principal cast includes Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, and Reba McEntire. It was McEntire's acting debut.

Franchise

The original film led to a franchise of sequels and a spin-off television series. The franchise later expanded into six direct-to-video sequels and a television series, with Michael Gross becoming the main recurring cast member.

Key facts

  • Tremors is the first entry in the Tremors franchise.
  • The story centers on attacks by subterranean worm-like creatures known as Graboids.
  • The film stars Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, and Reba McEntire.
  • It was Reba McEntire's acting debut.
  • Michael Gross became the franchise's main recurring cast member.
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Canadian context

The film was part of the North American video and television market that also reached Canadian audiences, and it remains a familiar title in English-language genre film fandom in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tremors?
Tremors is a 1990 American monster comedy-horror film about people in a desert town attacked by underground creatures.
Who directed Tremors?
It was directed by Ron Underwood.
What are the creatures in Tremors called?
They are called Graboids.
Where is Tremors set?
It is set in the fictional town of Perfection, Nevada.
Did Tremors become a franchise?
Yes. It spawned multiple sequels and a television series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremors_(1990_film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writers, cast, setting, genre, and franchise expansion.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremors_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise overview, sequence of sequels, and television series.