Now it’s summer, as The Meg 2 opens in theaters. Shark movies seem to be a hallmark of the summer season, but sharks aren’t the only creatures to menace people. So, for this week’s Binge, I’m highlighting some creature-features that don’t include sharks.

Orca (1977)
About: In the wake of Jaws, it’s natural that studios were looking to capture that energy. Into that void comes Orca, which is about a Killer Whale. It features Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling and Bo Derek in the cast. It has some big Jaws vibes early in the film, but it ends up falling flat somewhat like Jaws: The Revenge. Essentially, this one exists.

Anaconda (1997)
About: What do you get when you take Jon Voight, Eric Stoltz, Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube to the jungle? You get this “action” film about a National Geographic crew captured by a hunter and forced to look for a giant, deadly snake. It’s not good, but it’s entertaining.

Lake Placid (1999)
About: Look, I’m not going to claim this film about a giant Crocodile attacking residents around a lake in Maine is art, but I will say it’s better than you’d expect. Betty White is fun, and the script comes from David E. Kelley. The cast, which includes Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt and Brendan Gleeson, is solid. This is a fun and interesting creature feature.

Piranha 3D (2010)
About: Spring Break at Lake Victoria in Arizona. That’s a great set up already, then you throw in the release of menacing, pre-historic Piranha. This film is led by Elizabeth Shue, Ving Rhames and Jerry O’Connell, and features a cameo from Richard Dreyfuss that gives you a call back to Jaws. Again, not high art but a heck of a ride.

Cocaine Bear (2023)
About: It’s a bear on cocaine menacing a group of people in the woods. What more do you need to know. This film, from Elizabeth Banks, released earlier this year and is now streaming on Peacock. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth checking out for a little mindless fun.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.