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Critters 3

Critters 3

First they destroyed a farm. Then they terrorized a town. Now they're ready to do some REAL damage!

199186 minPG-13Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films
Director
Kristine Peterson
Starring
Aimee Brooks, John Calvin, Katherine Cortez, Leonardo DiCaprio

As fanged, furious furballs viciously invade an L.A. apartment building and sink their teeth into the low-rent tenants, Josh leads the battle to beat back the conniving critters and save the planet.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Critters 3?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Critters 3 streaming on Tubi (free).

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Critters 3?

Critters 3 earns 4 badges, led by Overhyped and Fun.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Critters 3 worth watching?

Critters 3's Midcredits score is the 8th percentile of all films, from 30K ratings across 4 sources. 16% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

8th percentile

Better received than 8% of films

7th percentile among Comedy8th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)15th
Approval (how many liked it)4th

49 /100

15th percentile of all films

14th percentile among Comedy14th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

16% liked it

4th percentile of all films

3rd percentile among Comedy4th percentile among 1990s
16% rated it 7–1084% rated it 1–6

Critics 0% · Audience 24%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

89th percentile

30K ratings across platforms

88th percentile among Comedy84th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

a low-budget, goofy creature feature where the critters are more comical than scary.

Fans praised

  • critters remain fun with great puppet effects
  • change to city apartment building is fresh and interesting
  • young DiCaprio gives a likable, charismatic performance

Detractors panned

  • boring pace with very few deaths and low tension
  • plot is predictable and rehashes earlier entries

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive60

puppet critters have personality but are limited and less impressive than predecessors

ActingDivisive55

DiCaprio stands out as natural and charismatic; many others are wooden or hammy

CharactersDivisive50

tenants are archetypal and underdeveloped; only Josh and Annie have any depth

HumorDivisive50

critter slapstick and food gags land sometimes; childish for others

PacingDivisive40

slow start before confined apartment action picks up

Plot and storyDivisive35

thin, formulaic story with minimal stakes and predictable survival

TensionDivisive30

few genuine scares; attacks lack urgency and danger

OriginalityDivisive30

recycles formula from prior films; Gremlins knock-off

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Critters 3 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdTense
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Single location · 5% of films: Confined to essentially one place throughout.
ToneThe film plays its monster premise for laughs, with the critters as bumbling comic menaces and little genuine tension.
The rideThe film sustains a light, jokey tone with occasional mild tension as the critters attack, but never becomes genuinely heavy.
StructureThe story unfolds straightforwardly as the critters infiltrate the building and the tenants are progressively driven to the roof, with the action confined almost entirely to one apartment block.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayIt's a light, silly monster movie that leaves you entertained without much residue.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterPredator
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% (this title) · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Predator: A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe residents of an apartment block are trapped and hunted by a group of alien critters, making the central struggle a fight for survival against a predatory creature.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalFamily bonds
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a family and their neighbors trying to stay alive when monsters invade their building, with a secondary emphasis on family ties during the crisis.
StanceThe film treats its survival threat with comic irreverence, mocking horror conventions rather than taking the monster attack seriously.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRealistic
ElectronicSupportive music · original score · David Williams
Settinga rundown Los Angeles apartment block
MusicA synth-heavy score typical of low-budget horror comedies, matching the light-hearted tone.

Content guide

Is Critters 3 okay for kids?

PG-13

Critters 3 is rated PG-13. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (45/100), sexual content at minimal (7/100), language at moderate (44/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (3/100) and frightening material at moderate (39/100). Overall it is heavier than 27% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany16
  • Brazil14
  • FinlandK-16
  • Hungary16
  • PortugalM/14
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 20% of all filmsHeavier than 27% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 49%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 5%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 56%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 2%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 41%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 49% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Critters 3 have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Critters 3?

Cast

Aimee Brooks
as Annie
John Calvin
as Clifford
Katherine Cortez
as Marcia
Leonardo DiCaprio
as Josh
Geoffrey Blake
as Frank
Diana Bellamy
as Rosalie
William Dennis Hunt
as Briggs
Frances Bay
as Mrs. Menges
Bill Zuckert
as Mr. Menges
Don Keith Opper
as Charlie McFadden

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Critters 3?

Movies like Critters 3 include Critters 2: The Main Course (1988), Critters 4 (1992) and TerrorVision (1986). Of the 12 closest matches, most are horror comedies, and several are stories about creatures.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its subject: survival. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Critters 3?

773 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: alien. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.