The Sharknado franchise, which began with the original film, has expanded over the years to include a total of five sequels and three spin-off films. Let's dive into the details and explore each installment.
1. Sharknado (2013): This is where it all began. Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante and written by Thunder Levin, Sharknado follows the story of a massive tornado that hits Los Angeles, causing a frenzy of sharks to be swept up and wreak havoc on the city. The film gained a cult following due to its over-the-top nature and cheesy special effects.
2. Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014): The success of the first film led to a sequel, which takes the shark-infested tornado to New York City. The main character, Fin Shepard (played by Ian Ziering), must once again battle the deadly phenomenon, this time with the help of some famous faces including Tara Reid and Mark McGrath.
3. Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015): The third installment takes the shark-infested storms to the east coast of the United States, including Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida. This time, Fin Shepard teams up with his father (played by David Hasselhoff) to save the country from the sharknado disaster.
4. Sharknado: The 4th Awakens (2016): The fourth film in the franchise takes a playful nod at the Star Wars series with its subtitle. Set five years after the events of the previous film, this installment sees sharknados striking Las Vegas and other locations across the United States. The film features a wide range of celebrity cameos, including appearances by Gilbert Gottfried and Wayne Newton.
5. Sharknado 5: Global Swarming (2017): As the title suggests, this film takes the sharknado phenomenon to a global scale. Fin Shepard embarks on a mission across the world to save his family as sharknados hit major cities in different countries. Along the way, he encounters various international celebrities, including Fabio and Charo.
In addition to the sequels, the Sharknado franchise has also spawned three spin-off films:
1. Lavalantula (2015): This film combines the disaster movie theme with giant volcanic spiders. It features Steve Guttenberg as the main character, battling against the lava-spewing arachnids in Los Angeles.
2. Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness (2015): This spin-off takes a mockumentary approach, exploring the behind-the-scenes world of the Sharknado franchise. It delves into the fictional cast and crew's experiences making the films and their encounters with real-life sharks.
3. 2 Lava 2 Lantula! (2016): This sequel to Lavalantula continues the story of giant volcanic spiders. Steve Guttenberg returns as the lead, facing off against the menacing creatures once again.
The final installment in the Sharknado franchise is:
The Last Sharknado: It's About Time (2018): In this film, Fin Shepard must travel through time to stop the sharknado phenomenon once and for all. The movie features time travel, dinosaurs, and an array of absurd scenarios.
The Sharknado franchise has become known for its outrageous and over-the-top nature, attracting a dedicated fan base who enjoy the films for their campy charm and entertainingly bad special effects. Each installment builds upon the absurdity of the previous one, creating a unique and memorable viewing experience.