Shelley Duvall's first film in two decades and also her final film before her death on July 11, 2024.
Edward Furlong and Dee Wallace were up for the same role, which ultimately went to Edward. The role of Billy would have been Vera, if Dee had been cast in the role. The character would have also been a "lesbian biker chick", according to one of the versions of the script.
The original title was Howl, but was later changed to The Forest Hills since the title was too close to Dee Wallace's previous film, Grito de Horror (1981). The title of Howl was then used by Brian Michael Finn for the official behind the scenes documentary.
Three of the leads starred in Stephen King films. Shelley Duvall starred in O Iluminado (1980), Dee Wallace starred in Cujo (1983), and Edward Furlong starred in Cemitério Maldito II (1992).
The Forest Hills originally was the title for a project with a completely different story, meant to be filmed in Michigan. Due to the erratic and unprofessional behavior of a local producer, the film's story was changed and production was moved to Upstate New York.