List
I Like Big Bugs and I Cannot Lie
To commemorate this summer's Brood X Cicada invasion, we've put together a list of our favorite media featuring big bugs.
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Godzilla: King of the Monsters
2019Get this itemIf you love giant bugs, well…Mothra is about 16 meters tall, with a wingspan of 245 meters, so she probably qualifies as one, right? And she is not the only giant creature in this film: she’s joined by Godzilla, King Ghidora, Rodan, and many more, bringing you one of the best and most visually stunning monster showdown films ever. This is a sequel to the 2014 Godzilla, but in my opinion, you don’t have to see the prequel in order to fully enjoy it. Recommended by Penny.
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Godzilla Vs. Mothra
2002Get this itemLike Penny, I couldn't get enough of the big bug creatures captured in these cult favorites. In our household growing up, let me just say that Mothra was not to be toyed with! The giant egg from Monster Island that eventually becomes a giant moth should tickle many a funny bone. Recommended by Mary.
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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
2011Get this itemFrom acclaimed animator/filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, this wonderfully crafted post-apocalyptic ecological-themed tale includes huge insects called Ohmu who are intelligent and sensitive, but also quick to anger and misunderstood. Nausicaa has the ability to communicate with the Ohmu and perhaps find a way to co-exist. You can select either the original Japanese soundtrack or the English language version. Recommended by Sharon.
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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
2004 by Miyazaki, HayaoGet this itemWant a bit more of the Ohmu? Be sure to check out the graphic novel!
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Love and Monsters
2021Get this itemJust accept that the Monsterpocalypse happened. Animals mutated into giant creatures and have the run of Earth. This includes humongous creepy crawlies! The Oscar-nominated visual effects are quirky and awesome, and the plot has the right mix of humor, adventure, and romance. Recommended by Sharon.
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The Fly
2007Get this itemThe first of the Fly movies, this stars David Hedison and Vincent Price. It is a must-see for film buffs and monster movie fans. You will never forget the visual accompanied by the scream, "Help me! Help me!" Recommended by Sharon.
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The Fly
2005Get this itemJeff Goldblum is an eccentric scientist turned into a tragic man/fly hybrid. Geena Davis says, "Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.” It is brilliant 1980's casting, and filmmaker David Cronenberg is a master at sci-fi horror. This won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Recommended by Sharon.
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James and the Giant Peach
2016 by Dahl, RoaldGet this itemSure, the bugs in this classic are not technically super-sized since James is shrunken down... but nonetheless, this story is fun, full of adventure, and shows that bugs can be wonderful company! Not interested in reading the book? Watch the film! Recommended by Paul.
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James and the Giant Peach
2010Get this itemSaid film to accompany (or watch in lieu of) the book above.
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Starship Troopers
2007Get this itemI like big animated bugs from outer space, I must confess! This wonderful adaptation of a comic book sci-fi story is full of bad boy bugs and U.S. troopers who are trained to take these guys down! Super silly and fun! Recommended by Mary.
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The Wasp Woman
2020Get this itemBeauty products that don't do what they promise! And no, they didn't win the ALLURE best of beauty products award for 1959. Another one of my favorite (cheesy) films from the '50s available on Kanopy. This time it isn't a government conspiracy but a cosmetic company's experimental anti-aging serum made from Royal Wasp Jelly that wreaks havoc for planet Earth. Recommended by Mary.
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Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXVII
2013Get this itemI was so excited that we have this DVD in our collection because it contains the all-time favorite sci-fi movie, Black Scorpion. The premise of the movie is that black scorpions are released to earth and discover that humans are indeed pretty darn tasty. It all goes downhill from there, but it is ridiculously corny and entertaining. Recommended by Mary.
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Mimic
1998Get this itemWho wouldn't want to see a movie about giant cockroaches invading New York City's subway system? You see, cockroaches are spreading a disease that kills children, so government scientists breed genetically engineered cockroaches to combat the disease-carriers. Naturally, the scientists mess up, resulting in a laugh-out-loud "thriller." Not to be missed. Recommended by Mary.
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The Croods: A New Age
2021Get this itemThis animated family-friendly comedy adventure has Wolf-Spiders. Yup, wolves with arachnid features. They have eight legs and six eyes and are actually pretty cute. Recommended by Sharon.
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Epic
2013Get this itemWhen you get shrunk, slugs, fruit flies, glowworms, and other small critters are suddenly quite big. Loosely based on the children's book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs, this action packed animated movie follows a young girl who gets a new perspective after she’s conveyed to a hidden forest kingdom where evil threatens to take over the world. Recommended by Sharon.
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Microcosmos
2010 by Broll, BrandonGet this itemI think the title really says it all! At one point there was also a wonderful French (I think) documentary by the same title that came out in the late '90s that was also wonderful. Recommended by Chris.
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Acid for the Children: A Memoir
2019 by FleaGet this itemA giant, human-sized bug who plays a mean bass! Recommended by Chris.
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The Metamorphosis
2014 by Kafka, FranzGet this itemOur book begins: "One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that, in his bed, he had been changed into a monstrous vermin. He lay on his armour-hard back and saw, as he lifted his head up a little, his brown, arched abdomen divided up into rigid bow-like sections." Hilarity ensues. Just kidding. Recommended by Chris.
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Ant-Man
2015Get this itemIt would be impossible to not include this superhero on this list. Sure, similar to a few other titles here, our little bug friends aren’t exactly giant, but it’s our hero’s power to shrink down that makes them ginormous. This film is full of humor, great visual effects, and heart. Also, I never thought I’d say this, but ants can be so cute! Recommended by Penny.
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Men in Black
2012Get this itemWho says your love for giant bugs has to be limited to earthly ones? There’s a whole galaxy of them out there—though some may not love you back and will try to eat you. If you’re fine with that, this film will take you on an entertaining ride; it’s fun, imaginative, and full of action. Not to mention a great cast of characters—I absolutely love the chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Recommended by Penny.
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Anansi Boys
2005 by Gaiman, NeilGet this itemCharlie goes to Florida to attend the funeral of his estranged father. While there, he learns two things that turn his whole life upside down. One is that his father was the human form of Anansi, the African trickster god. And, two, he has a brother, Spider, who has inherited some of their father's trickster abilities. I know that "technically" spiders aren't bugs, but cut me some slack on this one, okay? This is officially the sequel to American Gods, but it certainly can be read and enjoyed on its own. Recommended by Becca.
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