The Swarm (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 4.9
Released in 1978, The Swarm is a thriller, horror and science fiction film directed by Irwin Allen, running about 116 minutes. “Monsters by the millions - and they're all for real!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Scientist Dr. Bradford Crane and army general Thalius Slater join forces to fight an almost invisible enemy threatening America; killer bees that have deadly venom and attack without reason. Disaster movie-master Irwin Allen's film contains spectacular special effects, including a train crash caused by the eponymous swarm.
Who’s in it. The Swarm stars Michael Caine as Brad Crane, Katharine Ross as Capt. Helena Anderson, Richard Widmark as Gen. Thaddeus Slater and Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Hubbard, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.9/10, The Swarm has proved divisive with audiences. It went on to earn $7.7M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV and TCM and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Swarm page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Swarm tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Swarm (1978)?
- In US, The Swarm is available to stream on YouTube TV and TCM, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Swarm worth watching?
- The Swarm holds an audience score of 4.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, horror and science fiction. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Swarm?
- The Swarm stars Michael Caine, Katharine Ross, Richard Widmark, Richard Chamberlain and Olivia de Havilland.
- When was The Swarm released?
- The Swarm was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 116 minutes.