The Tremors franchise consists of a series of American monster comedy-horror films and a spin-off television show, with a plot centered around attacks from subterranean worm-like creatures known as Graboids. It began in 1990 with the release of Tremors, which spawned a series of direct-to-video films and a television series. A second television series was ordered to air on Syfy, and a pilot was shot for the spring of 2018, but the project was ultimately cancelled.
Films Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s) Tremors Ron Underwood Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson Ron Underwood and Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson Gale Anne Hurd, Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson Tremors 2: Aftershocks S. S. Wilson Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson Nancy Roberts and Christopher DeFaria Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Brent Maddock John WhelpleyBrent Maddock, S. S. Wilson and Nancy Roberts S. S. Wilson and Nancy Roberts Tremors 4: The Legend Begins S. S. Wilson Scott Buck Nancy Roberts Tremors 5: Bloodlines Don Michael Paul William Truesmith and M. A. Deuce and John Whelpley William Truesmith, M. A. Deuce and C.J. Strebor Ogden Gavanski Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell John Whelpley Mike Elliott Tremors: Shrieker Island Don Michael Paul and Brian Brightly Brian Brightly Todd Williams and Chris Lowenstein
Tremors (1990)
Tremors is a 1990 American monster film directed by Ron Underwood, with a screenplay by S. S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. It was distributed by Universal Pictures.
Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)
Tremors 2: Aftershocks is a 1996 action-horror sequel to Tremors, in which the character of Earl Bassett, returning from the first movie, is hired to deal with a subterranean "Graboid" infestation at a Mexican oilfield. It was directed by S. S. Wilson, and stars Fred Ward, Christopher Gartin, Michael Gross and Helen Shaver. It introduced a new creature called the Shriekers.
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001)
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is a 2001 comedic monster film, the third in the "Tremors" series featuring the subterranean worm-creatures dubbed "Graboids". It was directed by Brent Maddock and stars Michael Gross. Like the second movie, the film was not released in theaters. It introduced a new creature called the Ass-Blaster.
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004)
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins is a 2004 direct-to-video movie. It is the fourth film in the "Tremors" series of monster films. It is a prequel to the earlier movies and featured Michael Gross as the ancestor to his original character in the first Tremors film.
Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)
Tremors 5: Bloodlines was produced in South Africa, featuring a returning Michael Gross and new co-star Jamie Kennedy. It also stars Natalie Becker. The film was released on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on October 6, 2015. Though it is based on a script written by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson in 2004, the original creators declined to be involved due to a lack of creative control over the project. It received mixed reviews.
Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell (2018)
On September 20, 2016, Michael Gross announced on his official Facebook page that a sixth film was in development. Tremors 5 co-star Jamie Kennedy returned, along with director Don Michael Paul. Filming commenced in late January 2017. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in May 2018.
Tremors: Shrieker Island (2020)
On December 13, 2018, Michael Gross confirmed that Universal had ordered a seventh entry in the series and that he would return to star, stating "Tremors fans will be delighted to know I have just agreed to the terms of a contract for a seventh film. My best estimate is that Burt Gummer will begin his hunt for Graboids and other nefarious forms of wildlife in the fall of 2019." On November 13, 2019, filming began in Thailand. On November 26, 2019, Jon Heder, Jackie Cruz, and Richard Brake signed on to star alongside Gross. On December 12, 2019, Gross confirmed that filming had wrapped. In August 2020, the film was known under the working title Island Fury until it was officially titled Tremors: Shrieker Island. The film was released direct-to-video on October 20, 2020.
Future In a podcast with Bloody Disgusting, Gross mentioned that "part of me that feels that Universal Home Entertainment might've had enough of Tremors", though he followed up by saying "The door is still open for an eighth Tremors. It may seem unlikely by what people see on the screen, but it is possible. There could be an eighth. And if there were, and if it were an interesting story, I would be up for it because Burt is always a great deal of fun. It would depend on his physicality. How much they want me to do. If it's in another two years, I'll be 75 years old. So I will continue to hope and pray that I stay in shape, to do what is asked of me – if it is asked of me." Gross later said on Facebook "There are no guarantees, but for those who wonder aloud if this is the final film, I will say what I have said before: SALES drive sequels. Show biz is 5% show and 95% business, so if this latest addition to the Tremors franchise, sells well, Universal Studios Hollywood will follow the money, and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment may will [sic] be back for more."Michael Gross: Official Tremors Franchise Fans, news from Burt Gummer In April 2025, it was announced that Stampede Entertainment had reclaimed the rights to the original screenplay and are discussing a "return to Perfection" sequel, with hopes of getting Kevin Bacon to return as Val.
Television Tremors (2003)
Tremors is a television spin-off of the Tremors franchise which originally ran on Syfy, with one half-season of 13 episodes aired before being cancelled. Series Season Episodes First released Last released Showrunner(s) Network(s) Tremors 1 13 March 28, 2003 August 8, 2003 Nancy Roberts Syfy
Cast and crew Principal cast Character Films Television series Tremors Tremors 2: Aftershocks Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Tremors 5: Bloodlines Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell Tremors: Shrieker Island Tremors 1990 1996 2001 2004 2015 2018 2020 2003 Burt Gummer Michael Gross Michael Gross Hiram Gummer Michael Gross Earl Bassett Fred Ward Valentine "Val" McKee Kevin Bacon Rhonda LeBeck Finn Carter Nancy Sterngood Charlotte Stewart Charlotte Stewart Marcia Strassman Mindy Sterngood Ariana Richards Ariana Richards Tinsley Grimes Melvin Plug Robert Jayne Robert Jayne Robert Jayne Miguel Tony Genaro Tony Genaro Heather Gummer Reba McEntire Walter Chang Victor Wong Nestor Cunningham Richard Marcus Fred "Old Fred" Michael Dan Wagner J.E. Freeman Edgar Deems Sunshine Parker Jim Wallace Conrad Bachmann Megan Wallace Bibi Besch Howard John Goodwin Carmine John Pappas Grady Hoover Christopher Gartin Dr. Kate Riley Helen Shaver Julio Marco A. Hernandez Señor Carlos Ortega Marcelo Tubert Pedro Jose Ramon Rosario Jack "Desert Jack" Sawyer Shawn Christian Jodi Chang Susan Chuang Lela Lee Buford Billy Rieck Dr. Andrew Merliss Barry Livingston Agent Charlie Rusk John Pappas Agent Frank Statler Tom Everett Juan Pedilla Brent Roam Pyong Chang Lo Ming Lu Wan Chang Lydia Look Fu Yien Chang Sam Ly Christine Lord Sara Botsford "Black Hand" Kelly Billy Drago Tecopa August Schellenberg Travis Welker Jamie Kennedy Dr. Nandi Montabu Pearl Thusi Johan Dreyer Brandon Auret Baruti Rea Rangaka Erick van Wyk Daniel Janks Den Bravers Ian Roberts Lucia Natalie Becker Ndebele Chieftain Ernest Ndhlovu Dr. Rita Sims Tanya van Graan Valerie McKee Jamie-Lee Money Hart Hansen Kiroshan Naidoo Aklark Keeno Lee Hecto Swackhamer Rob van Vuuren Mac Adrienne Pearce Dr. Charles Ferezze Francesco Nassimbeni Mr. Cutts Paul du Toit Geo-Tech Vargas Christie Peruso Dr. D Jay Anstey Jimmy Jon Heder Freddie Jackie Cruz Bill Richard Brake Jasmine "Jas" Welker Caroline Langrishe Anna Cassie Clare "Mr. Bowtie" Sahajak Boonthanakit "Wall Street" Randy Kalsi Ishimon Boonma Lamphon Researcher Iris Iris Park Parkour Boy Aukrawut Rojaunawat "Mohawk" Bear Williams Tyler Reed Victor Browne Rosalita Sanchez Gladys Jimenez W.D. Twitchell Dean Norris Larry Norvel J. D. Walsh Dr. Cletus Poffenberger Christopher Lloyd Harlowe Winnemucca Branscombe Richmond Dr. Casey Matthews Sarah Rafferty Roger Garrett Richard Biggs Frank Nicholas Turturro
Additional crew FilmCrew and information Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor Production companies Distributing companies Running time Tremors Ernest Troost Alexander Gruszynski O. Nicholas Brown Universal Pictures, No Frills Film Productions, Wilson-Maddock Productions Universal Pictures 96 minutes Tremors 2: Aftershocks Jay Ferguson Virgil L. Harper Bob Ducsay MCA/Universal Pictures, Stampede Entertainment MCA/Universal Pictures, MCA Home Entertainment 97 minutes Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Kevin Kiner Drake Silliman Universal Family and Home Entertainment, Stampede Entertainment Universal Family and Home Entertainment 104 minutes Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Jay Ferguson Harry B. Miller, III Stampede Entertainment Universal Pictures Home Entertainment 101 minutes Tremors 5: Bloodlines Frederik Wiedmann Michael Swan Vanick Moradian Universal 1440 Entertainment, Capacity Relations Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Syfy 99 minutes Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell Frederik Wiedmann & Brain Mantia Hein de Vos Cameron Hallenbeck Universal 1440 Entertainment Universal Studios, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment 98 minutes Tremors: Shrieker Island Frederik Wiedmann Alexander Krumov Heath Ryan 103 minutes
Production
Attraction
While only the first film was filmed in Lone Pine, California, there is an exhibit dedicated to Tremors in the Lone Pine Film History Museum. The exhibit contains film props such as the Graboid head used to burst through the ground, a miniature of Chang's Market used in Tremors 4: The Legend Begins, and a mount of a Graboid used in Tremors 2: Aftershocks.
Reception
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Awards Award Film Tremors Tremors 2: Aftershocks Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Tremors 5: Bloodlines Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell Tremors: Shrieker Island Best Science Fiction Film Nomination Best Special Effects Nomination Best Home Video Release Nomination Best Supporting Actress - Finn Carter Nomination Best Supporting Actress - Reba McEntire Nomination
Young Artist Awards Award Film Tremors Tremors 2: Aftershocks Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Tremors 5: Bloodlines Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell Tremors: Shrieker Island Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Ariana Richards Nomination
DVD Exclusive Awards Award Film Tremors Tremors 2: Aftershocks Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Tremors 5: Bloodlines Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell Tremors: Shrieker Island Best Actor - Michael Gross Won Best Visual Effects - Linda Drake Nomination Best Actress (in a DVD Premiere Movie) - Sara Botsford Nomination
Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA Awards Award Film Tremors Tremors 2: Aftershocks Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Tremors 5: Bloodlines Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell Tremors: Shrieker Island Best Sound Editing - Direct to Video Nomination
Other media
Video games Dirt Dragons is a browser game tie-in to the 2004 film Tremors 4: The Legend Begins.
Tremerz, released in 2010 by Newgrounds, is an online 8-bit video game adaptation of the original Tremors film.
Universal Movie Tycoon is a sim-city-building game released in 2012 for iOS, developed by Fuse Powered Inc. and published by Bytemark Games, that featured the Tremors film.
Tremors: The Game was to be a video game based on the franchise, announced in August 2002 by Rock Solid Studios. It was scheduled for release during the fall of 2003. However, the game was quietly cancelled in the summer of that year.