Creature from the Black Lagoon

Shop our collection of merchandise inspired by the 1954 film Creature from the Black Lagoon including a tee and mini print sold exclusively at the Academy Museum Store.

A group of scientists exploring the Brazilian Amazon discover a terrifying creature, a “Gill Man,” who becomes infatuated with the female member of their team, putting all their lives in danger. Producer William Alland claimed to have received the inspiration for the film from a dinner party story told by legendary cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa. The classic horror film reunited several key participants from Universal’s 3D hit It Came from Outer Space (1953), including Alland, actor Richard Carlson, writer Harry Essex, and director Jack Arnold. With its evocative 3D cinematography, unexpected eroticism, and the superbly designed creature suit, the film spawned two sequels and was a major inspiration for Guillermo del Toro’s 2017 Oscar winner The Shape of Water.

DIRECTED BY: Jack Arnold. WRITTEN BY: Harry Essex, Arthur Ross. STORY BY: Maurice Zimm. WITH: Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno. 1954. 79 min. USA. B&W. English.