Critters (franchise)

The Critters franchise is a series of American science fiction horror comedy films that began in 1986. The core of the franchise revolves around the "Krites," small, furry, carnivorous alien creatures with insatiable appetites that wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans.

The franchise consists of four original films released theatrically between 1986 and 1992: Critters (1986), Critters 2 (1988), Critters 3 (1991), and Critters 4 (1992). The films blend horror elements with dark humor and often feature practical effects, particularly in the depiction of the Krites. The storylines typically follow the Krites' arrival on Earth and the attempts of humans, often assisted by intergalactic bounty hunters, to stop them.

In 2019, a web series titled Critters: A New Binge was released on Shudder, followed by a standalone film, Critters Attack!, also released in 2019. These later entries represent attempts to revive the franchise for a modern audience.

A recurring element across the franchise is the presence of shape-shifting bounty hunters tasked with eliminating the Krite threat. These characters, often adopting human forms, provide both comedic relief and action-oriented conflict alongside the horror aspects of the Krites themselves. The tone generally leans towards self-aware parody and B-movie sensibilities.