The Crater Lake Monster Poster

The Crater Lake Monster 1977

★ 3.836 votes85 min📅 1977-03-01

"A beast more frightening than your most terrifying nightmare!"

When a blazing meteorite crashes into the tranquil waters of Crater Lake, no one anticipates the horrors that follow. Veteran filmmaker William R.

Director: William R. Stromberg

Cast

Richard Cardella
Sheriff Steve Hanson
Glen Roberts
Arnie Chabot
Mark Siegel
Mitch Kowalski
Bob Hyman
Richard 'Doc' Calkins
Richard Garrison
Dan Turner
Kacey Cobb
Susan Patterson
Michael F. Hoover
Ross Conway
Suzanne Lewis
Paula Conway
Marc Eliot
Jack Fuller
Garry Johnston
Blackmailer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Crater Lake Monster (1977) about?

The film follows the terrifying emergence of a plesiosaur-like creature from Crater Lake after a meteorite crash incubates a prehistoric egg. As the beast grows, it begins attacking townspeople, forcing locals to confront a nightmare that blends ancient horror with small-town suspense.

Who directed The Crater Lake Monster?

The Crater Lake Monster was directed by William R. Stromberg, bringing a classic creature-feature style to this 1977 horror-sci-fi hybrid.

Who stars in The Crater Lake Monster?

The film features Richard Cardella, Glen Roberts, Mark Siegel, Bob Hyman, and Richard Garrison as key members of the ensemble cast.

Is The Crater Lake Monster (1977) worth watching?

While not a blockbuster, The Crater Lake Monster offers a solid dose of 70s creature-feature charm with practical effects and a tense small-town setting. Horror fans who enjoy vintage monster movies will likely find it an entertaining, if flawed, cult classic.

How long is The Crater Lake Monster?

The Crater Lake Monster has a runtime of 85 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About The Crater Lake Monster (1977): A Meteor, a Monster, and a Lakeside Nightmare

When a blazing meteorite crashes into the tranquil waters of Crater Lake, no one anticipates the horrors that follow. Veteran filmmaker William R. Stromberg directs this 1977 horror-sci-fi hybrid, where the intense heat incubates a prehistoric egg deep beneath the lake's surface—hatching a nightmarish plesiosaur-like monster that begins terrorizing the unsuspecting lakeside community. The film masterfully blends eerie small-town suspense with creature-feature spectacle, as locals scramble to survive against an ancient predator unleashed by a cosmic accident. The Crater Lake Monster (1977) delivers a tense, low-budget thrill ride that leans into classic monster-movie tropes while delivering a satisfying dose of 70s chills.

Richard Cardella leads the cast as one of the first victims of the creature's rampage, while Glen Roberts and Mark Siegel round out the core ensemble as desperate survivors and local authorities working against time. The movie's gritty atmosphere and practical creature effects create an immersive experience, perfect for fans of vintage horror who crave raw, no-frills scares. Whether you're a longtime enthusiast of obscure cult films or simply love a good monster rampage, Stromberg's creature feature promises a nostalgic yet thrilling escape into the depths of cinematic weirdness.