Varan the Unbelievable

Varan the Unbelievable

From a world below, it came to terrorize - to destroy - to revenge!

1962 · 70 min · ★ 4.4 · Horror, Science Fiction

In an effort to find an economic means of purifying salt water, a joint U.S.-Japanese military command is set up on an isolated Japanese island where an unusual salt water lake is situated. However, their purifying experiments arouse the prehistoric monster Obaki from hibernation at the lake's bottom, and it proceeds to attack Japan. Although made by a U.S. independent film company, this film was based on a Japanese Toho monster film of 1958, "Daikaiju Varan", from which all of the monster effects scenes and a few incidental dramatic shots were edited into it.

Directed by Jerry A. Baerwitz · Written by Sid Harris

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Rent or Buy

Cast

Myron Healey Cmdr. James Bradley
Tsuruko Kobayashi Anna
Clifford Kawada Capt. Kishi
Derick Shimatsu Matsu, the boy
Koreya Senda Dr. Sugimoto
Kōzō Nomura Paul Isoh
Ayumi Sonoda Shidori Isoh
Fumito Matsuo Paul's Friend
Akihiko Hirata Dr. Fujimora
Fuyuki Murakami Dr. Majima
Yoshio Tsuchiya Military Officer Katsumoto
Minosuke Yamada Secretary of Defense

Make it a double feature

2h 57m together

Varan the Unbelievable

Fright Night

Both from Jerry A. Baerwitz.

More from Jerry A. BaerwitzSee all →

Fright Night

Fright Night · 1985

MovieComedyHorror

Charley Brewster, a high school student, accidentally discovers the true and creepy nature of Jerry Dandrige, his dashing and enigmatic new neighbor; but no one seems willing to believe him.

29th Street

29th Street · 1991

After winning $6.2 million in the 1976 New York State Lottery, he is arrested for throwing rocks at a church. He then tells his story at the police station.

Some Kind of Wonderful

Some Kind of Wonderful · 1987

Some Kind of Wonderful

MovieRomanceComedy

Keith Nelson, an artsy high school outcast, tries to land a date with popular girl Amanda Jones with some help from his tomboy best friend, Watts. However, Watts realizes she likes Keith as more than just a friend and tries to convince him to stop pursuing Amanda. Matters are further complicated when Keith's invitation draws the ire of Amanda's rich yet snobby ex-boyfriend, Hardy Jenns, who makes plans to get even.

Tex

After their mother dies and their father leaves them, teenage brothers Tex and Mason McCormick struggle to make it on their own.

Armed and Dangerous

Armed and Dangerous · 1986

Armed and Dangerous

MovieActionComedy

After policeman Frank Dooley is framed for theft and loses his job on the force, he joins a security guard agency and teams up with inept former defense lawyer Norman Kane. When the two botch a job guarding a local warehouse, they begin to uncover corruption within the company and their union.

Punchline

Punchline · 1988

MovieComedyDrama

Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.

Listen to Me

Listen to Me · 1989

MovieRomanceDrama

It was the best time of their lives. A kid from Oklahoma. An immigrant's daughter. A senator's son, a society girl, and a college professor with a dream. They had one thing in common...the will to win. A group of college debaters learn about the world, friendships, love, dreams and family.

Hideaway

Hideaway · 1995

MovieDramaThriller

Hatch Harrison, his wife, Lindsey, and their daughter, Regina, are enjoying a pleasant drive when a car crash leaves wife and daughter unharmed but kills Hatch. However, an ingenious doctor, Jonas Nyebern, manages to revive Hatch after two lifeless hours. But Hatch does not come back unchanged. He begins to suffer horrible visions of murder -- only to find out the visions are the sights of a serial killer.

Stewardess School

Stewardess School · 1986

Stewardess School

A group of varied misfits (including a former prostitute/stripper and a bumbler who can't see more than 6 inches in front of his face) enter a school to become flight attendants. Somehow, the group makes it through to the final test: a cross-country flight.

Wild Harvest

Wild Harvest · 1962

MovieDramaRomance

Melodrama about the inhuman treatment of migratory workers in California vineyards by the boss, and the formers' rebellion against him.

The Slugger's Wife

The Slugger's Wife · 1985

The Slugger's Wife

MovieRomanceDrama

Darryl Palmer is a major league baseball player who meets and pursues an attractive singer. After some setbacks, the two are married and sent on an emotional journey that sees his career take off, while hers doesn't. She can't escape unhappiness when she gives up her dreams to support her husband. With a separation on the horizon, Darryl must choose between his big-league life and his one true love.

More Like This

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters · 2017

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters

MovieAnimationAction

A desperate group of refugees attempts to recolonize Earth 20,000 years after Godzilla took over. But one young man wants revenge above all else.

King Kong

King Kong · 1933

MovieAdventureFantasy

Adventurous filmmaker Carl Denham sets out to produce a motion picture unlike anything the world has seen before. Alongside his leading lady Ann Darrow and his first mate Jack Driscoll, they arrive on an island and discover a legendary creature said to be neither beast nor man. Denham captures the monster to be displayed on Broadway as King Kong, the eighth wonder of the world.

Bride of Frankenstein

Bride of Frankenstein · 1935

Bride of Frankenstein

MovieHorrorScience Fiction

After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Henry Frankenstein falls under control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius, who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life. Meanwhile, the Monster remains on the run from those who wish to destroy him.

Dracula

Dracula · 1931

A British estate agent travels to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Count Dracula, who is interested in leasing a London castle. After Dracula enslaves and drives the agent to insanity, the pair return to London together, where Dracula, a secret bloodsucker, begins preying on socialites.

Dune

MovieActionScience Fiction

In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel. The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe, the vast desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Its native inhabitants, the Fremen, have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.

The Ewok Adventure

The Ewok Adventure · 1984

The Ewok Adventure

MovieAdventureFamily

Wicket the Ewok and his friends agree to help two shipwrecked human children, Mace and Cindel, on a quest to find their parents.

Hulk

MovieScience FictionAdventure

Bruce Banner, a genetics researcher with a tragic past, suffers massive radiation exposure in his laboratory that causes him to transform into a raging green monster when he gets angry.

Mothra vs. Godzilla

Mothra vs. Godzilla · 1964

Mothra vs. Godzilla

MovieDramaAction

Journalists Ichiro Sakai and Junko cover the wreckage of a typhoon when an enormous egg is found and claimed by greedy entrepreneurs. Mothra's fairies arrive and are aided by the journalists in a plea for its return. As their requests are denied, Godzilla arises near Nagoya and the people of Infant Island must decide if they are willing to answer Japan's own pleas for help.

Monster Man

Monster Man · 2003

MovieHorrorComedy

Two guys and a female hitchhiker are terrorized by a monstrous looking man driving a giant monster truck.

Godzilla

Godzilla · 1954

MovieThrillerHorror

Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.

Godzilla Raids Again

Godzilla Raids Again · 1955

Godzilla Raids Again

MovieScience FictionHorror

Two fishing scout pilots make a horrifying discovery when they encounter a second Godzilla alongside a new monster named Anguirus. Without the weapon that killed the original, authorities attempt to lure Godzilla away from the mainland. But Anguirus soon arrives and the two monsters make their way towards Osaka as Japan braces for tragedy.

King Kong vs. Godzilla

King Kong vs. Godzilla · 1962

King Kong vs. Godzilla

MovieScience FictionFantasy

The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.

Gremlins

Gremlins · 1984

MovieFantasyHorror

After receiving an exotic small animal as a Christmas gift, a young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet, which unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures on a small town.

The Host

The Host · 2006

MovieHorrorDrama

A teenage girl is captured by a giant mutated squid-like creature that appears from Seoul's Han River after toxic waste was dumped in it, prompting her family into a frantic search for her.

Shin Ultraman

Shin Ultraman · 2022

MovieActionScience Fiction

The Japanese government sets up a special task force to fight the giant creatures suddenly appearing across the country. Soon, the squad unexpectedly meets a giant silver humanoid who starts appearing every time a space monster attacks!

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter