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Lightbulb Film Distribution is set to launch a daft and deadly dose of 80s-style horror-comedy when Frankie Freako arrives on digital platforms in the UK and Ireland from 14 July. The film, written and directed by genre maverick Steven Kostanski, pays affectionate homage to cult classics like Gremlins, Ghoulies and Critters, plunging viewers into a world where a simple phone call can unleash pint-sized evil.

Conor Sweeney takes centre stage as the unwitting hero who dials a late-night party hotline and inadvertently opens a gateway to chaos. On the other end of the line lurks Frankie Freako, a diminutive demon with a fondness for mischief, brought to hideous life by Kostanski’s trademark fusion of practical effects and puppetry. Adam Brooks and Kristy Wordsworth round out the principal cast, enacting Sweeney’s frantic scramble to contain the mayhem before it overruns his hometown.

The film made its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival,...

Several years ago, Lionsgate Home Entertainment revived the defunct Vestron Video label for the Vestron Video Collector’s Series of Blu-ray releases, and over the years that series has turned out to be pretty impressive. The list of Vestron Blu-rays includes Chopping Mall, Blood Diner, the Waxwork movies, Return of the Living Dead ///, The Gate, the Wishmaster films, the Warlock films, Slaughter High, Class of 1999, Beyond Re-Animator, Dagon, Maximum Overdrive, Shivers, Little Monsters, The Wraith, Dementia 13, Steel Dawn, Candyman: Day of the Dead, Dream a Little Dream, Extreme Prejudice, Earth Girls Are Easy, the Dentist movies, the Silent Night, Deadly Night sequels, and more. The thirty-fourth release from the revived Vestron is a Blu-ray of the 1991 horror comedy Ghoulies Go to College – and it’s available for pre-order exclusively through the Lionsgate Limited website! The Blu-ray is selling for the price of $24.99 and will be released on July 15th.

In Panos Cosmatos' psychedelic 2018 heavy-metal horror cult/revenge epic "Mandy," the laconic lumberjack Red (Nicolas Cage) lives in connubial bliss with his beloved girlfriend Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) in a remote cabin way out in the middle of the Oregonian woods. They spend their days listening to music and staring lovingly at one another. Rather suddenly, though, their idyll is interrupted by a local religious cult, led by the drugged-out, sex-crazed Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roach). Jeremiah is convinced that he is an actual messiah after years of taking hallucinogens and seems to have access to legitimately supernatural demonic bikers (who look like trashier versions of the cenobites from "Hellraiser"). Jeremiah kidnaps Mandy and tries to convince her to be one of his concubines. When she laughs at his naked body, Jeremiah gets mad and burns her alive while Red watches. Everything is bleak and bloody and terrible.

"Mandy" is a stylish,...

Quick LinksMariska Hargitay Started at the Bottom With 'Ghoulies''Ghoulies' Inspired Three Bad SequelsIt Took 15 Years for Hargitay to Be Taken Seriously as an Actress

Mariska Hargitay was a relatively unknown actress when she was cast in the role of Olivia Benson on the crime drama television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. When the show debuted in 1999, Benson had the rank of a junior detective, which has been steadily upgraded over the course of the show’s 26-season run to sergeant, commanding officer, lieutenant, and then captain. In playing the longest-running character in one of the longest-running drama shows in television history, Hargitay has become one of the highest-paid actresses on television and won two Emmy Awards.

Just as Mark Harmon’s iconic portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS has overshadowed the rest of Harmon’s career, Hargitay has become so synonymous with the Benson character that her...

On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.

For December 2024, we’re celebrating the end of the year with a stocking full of Strange Holiday TV Specials and Seasonal Midnight Movies.

First, read the Bait: a weird and wonderful pick from any time in film. Then, try the Bite: a breakdown of the movie’s ending, impact, and any other spoilers you’d want.

The Bait: “Blade Runner” Meets “Die Hard” Meets Ancestry.com

Let’s stop asking if “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie — and start asking how many other holiday cult classics we’re missing out on with such narrow-minded nonsense. In “Trancers,” a hyper-stylish pursuit through a spunky sci-fi world sees Trooper Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) travel from the 23rd century to 1984 while hunting down his arch-nemesis, Martin Whistler (Michael Stefani).

Also known as “Future Cop,” this...

Vision Films has announced that they’ll be giving the creature feature DinoGator, directed by legendary B-movie maker Jim Wynorski, a VOD on January 14th – and with that date just one month away, we’ve gotten our hands on the trailer for the film! You can check it out in the embed above.

DinoGator has the following synopsis: When a gigantic, mutated reptile gets loose in the swampy wilderness, the murky waters suddenly become an all-you-can-eat human buffet! Now the scientist that created the beast, a big-game hunter, and a group of tourists must stop it from devouring the entire comunity. With their numbers dwindling, and the hungry creature closing in, they’ll have to use their wits to avoid becoming its next meal.

The film stars Michael Madsen (Kill Bill), Grace West (Waiting for Dracula), Aaron Groben (Art of the Dead), Lauren Parkinson (Murderbot), Jesse Bernstein (The Rookie), Paul Logan...

Four years ago, we heard that Luca Bercovici, who wrote and directed the 1984 creature feature Ghoulies, and his co-writer Jefery Levy were trying to get Ghoulies franchise rights holder Sony Pictures to let them reboot the franchise. Earlier this year, a press release revealed that Bercovici and Levy have officially reclaimed the domestic rights to Ghoulies and have big plans for the franchise, including making a new trilogy of films. Now, actor Michael Des Barres – who played the villainous cult leader Malcolm Graves in the original film – has made a post on social media that indicates he might be returning for the reboot!

Sharing an image of his Ghoulies character, Des Barres wrote, “I had green contacts on my eyes which virtually blinded me! And the horns seem to keep on growing as the weeks went by.. there’s no business like sure business!!! Guess what? I think they want me to do it again.

Currently in select theaters, Frankie Freako will be released on Digital on October 25 before hitting Blu-ray on November 5 via Scream Factory.

Drawing inspiration from little monster movies like Gremlins, Ghoulies, and Critters, the Canadian horror-comedy is written and directed by Steven Kostanski (Psycho Goreman).

Conor Sweeney, Adam Brooks, Kristy Wordsworth, Matthew Kennedy, and Meredith Sweeney star.

Special Features include:

Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Steven Kostanski, Actor Conor Sweeney, and Cinematographer Pierce Derks Fasten Your Freakbelts: Behind the Scenes of Frankie Freako Conor & Frankie: A Conversation Between Actors Frankie Freako’s Funtime Phone Commercial Antique Connoisseurs Segments Trailer

In the film, “Workaholic yuppie Conor has a dilemma: no one in his life respects him! Not his boss, not his coworkers, not even his wife Kristina, who thinks he’s an uptight “square”! Conor sees no way out of this existential rut until one night while channel-surfing, he catches a bizarre ad...

Horror writer and director Steven Kostanski, who helmed indie hits like 2016’s “The Void” and 2020’s “Psycho Goreman,” knows his interests don’t always align with what’s trendy for genre fans.

“For years, I’ve been trying to push my fellow filmmaker friends into trying to make some kind of little creature movie,” he says. “It would be great to have little puppets running around torturing people. Who doesn’t want to watch that? Everybody said, ‘Oh, there’s no market for that.’ Everybody talks in terms of, ‘What is the popular thing in horror right now? Is it zombies?’ Nobody ever says, ‘It’s little trouble-making gremlin creatures.'”

Feedback be damned, Kostanski started developing a film in the spirit of genre classics like “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” and “Ghoulies.” The result is “Frankie Freako,” opening Oct. 4 in theaters via Shout! Studios. In the movie, Conor (Conor Sweeney...

Scary movies so campy you can’t help but love them.

With Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of ways to keep the (haunted) spirit of the holiday alive as we move into the end of the year. One of those ways is with a subscription to Full Moon Features, a streaming service built for fans of bloody B-movies and cult cinema, particularly those who appreciate campy, over-the-top horror and sci-fi films. With 500+ titles, many of which come from B-movie veteran Charles Band and his 300+ producer credits, there’s a campy scary movie for every Halloween taste. So, here’s everything you need to know about Full Moon Features.

7-Day Free Trial $6.99+ / month full moon via amazon.com Everything You Need to Know About Full Moon Features B-Movie Streaming Service

What Is Full Moon Features?

Does Full Mean Features Have Original Content?

How Much Does Full Moon Features Cost?...

Steven Kostanski’s latest film, Frankie Freako, pays tribute to the weird little monster movies of the 1980s. We follow Conor, an uptight businessman trapped in a dull routine. When his boss and wife encourage him to loosen up, Conor makes an impulsive call to a strange party hotline. Little does he know the call will conjure up Frankie Freako and his gang of anarchic goblins.

The creatures in Frankie Freako take the film on a wild ride. Frankie, Dottie, and Boink erupt into Conor’s tidy life, ready to cause pure chaos. praising the film’s practical effects, it’s clear these wacky monsters are worth the price of admission. Under the direction of Kostanski, the creatures breathe new life into the retro style of movies like Gremlins and Ghoulies.

Audiences curious about 1980s nostalgia will find much to enjoy in Frankie Freako. Kostanski fully immerses viewers in that era’s zany tone.

With a career that stretches back 50 years, Charles Band is one of the most well-known names in genre filmmaking. The head of companies like Empire Pictures and Full Moon Features, Band has over 400 producing credits, nearly 90 directing credits, and over 60 writing credits. A few years ago, he started telling the story of what it has been like bringing all of that entertainment into the world with his autobiography Confessions of a Puppetmaster: A Hollywood Memoir of Ghouls, Guts, and Gonzo Filmmaking (you can pick up a copy at This Link) – and now he has revealed that he’s currently working on a second autobiography, titled Horror Puppet!

Band told PopGeeks, “I don’t want to step back (from filmmaking) until I’m forced to, by end of life. I enjoy what I do and, yeah, I’ve done it for a long time. Sometimes I feel like I’m the...

Gremlins may have stopped at only 2 movies and a recent animated TV show, but a lot of its imitators went on to make a killing in the sequel market. Sure, we had one offs like Munchies from Roger Corman and Goobers from the mind of Charles Band which should have rightfully stayed one and done but others wanted in on that franchise action. The Gate would have 2 entries as would Hobgoblins. Troll would get a few sequels, kinda, if you want to go down the rabbit hole of strange Italian sequels in name only that are just called that to capitalize on the profits of other movies and Ghoulies would somehow, miraculously, get 4 films although if I’m being honest, I actually enjoy watching that series. Critters also had 4 (initially) but has a much stronger legacy in terms of enjoyment and interesting background including the fact that even though it came out after Gremlins,...

The 4:30 Movie is the sixteenth feature film from director Kevin Smith, and a while back the movie not only received an R-rating from the Motion Picture Association ratings board, but it also secured a distribution deal with Saban Films that will see it reaching theatres on September 13th. In the trailer that has made its way online (and is embedded above), there’s a moment where we see a construction worker played by Jason Biggs having an intense experience in a port-a-potty… and Smith has revealed what’s going on in that scene. As it turns out, this is a movie-within-the-movie moment, much like the Sister Sugar Walls faux trailer that opens the trailer and the imagery we’ve seen from Astro Blaster and the Beaver-Men, which is the movie the characters are going to see at 4:30. The scene with Jason Biggs in a port-a-potty is from...

No one makes movies like Astron-6 alumnus Steven Kostanski that's not hyperbole. The Canadian renegade behind bold low-budget oddities like Manborg and Psycho Goreman delivers do-it-yourself effects work ranging from gootastic gore to layers of alien makeup applications. The filmmaker's canon hallmarks are cartoonish violence, absurdist humor, and after-midnight appeal, which makes Frankie Freako somewhat of a departure. It's his Ghoulies or Prehysteria!, swapping hard-r slop-fests for family-friendly mischief as Cabbage Patch gone rotten puppets party their butts off in a very 80s sitcom fashion.

From the wacky world of Steve Kostanski’s workshop, comes another character inspired by ‘80s rubber creatures, this time playing on the subgenre of mischievous little monsters running amok à la Gremlins, Ghoulies and The Garbage Pail Kids Movie. Following up on his fan-favourite feature PG: Psycho Goreman, Konstanski summons forth Frankie Freako, a fantasy laugh riot that takes what would otherwise be the premise for a kid’s movie, and pumps it up for a midnight audience.

Suburban yuppie Conor is facing an existential crisis. His boss Mr. Buechler is telling him his board presentation needs to be spiced up because it’s too “bland.” His bombshell wife Kristina says he can be a bit of a “square.” How can Conor convince them that he is capable of taking a walk on the wild side? His answer comes in the form of a late-night commercial featuring a little red...

In Steven Kostanski’s latest film, the worst thing that someone can call Conor (Conor Sweeney) is square.

The ’90s-set comedy horror movie revolves around an uptight married businessman whose idea of intimacy is holding *a* hand in bed and using a different color font in a work presentation. He’s married to Kristina (Kristy Wordsworth), a smoking hot blonde who clearly yearns for something more physical, and he works at a nondescript office delivering reports on sector subdivisions.

He doesn’t drink.

He doesn’t swear.

He watches a show called Antique Connoisseurs.

So yes, Conor is absolutely a dullard.

Everything changes when Kristina goes away on a weekend work trip and Conor’s opportunistic boss, Mr Beagler (Adam Brooks), asks him to come in so he’ll be caught on camera shredding incriminating embezzling documents. But before Conor goes down for a white collar crime, he’s triggered...

Everyone gets their moment to shine with enough patience and hard work. Cowboy Bebop voice actor Steve Blum can say that loudly and clearly. The anime stands as foundational in many ways. Opening the doors for animated projects to be darker, less welcoming for children, and more appropriate for a more mature audience, it also brought about the world of anime to Western culture.

Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Sunrise Studio

Animation in itself was limited to children alone and for anime grew popularly in such a world where Japanese was sparsely spoken and the media that came with it was even less acknowledged. Cowboy Bebop changed that and thus the direction in which anime was growing by introducing successful dubs. Watching anime with subtitles was common but their dubs only became concrete after the series’ success.

Steve Blum’s Journey Took an Unexpected Turn

Steve Blum may now be known as...

Law & Order Svu premiered on September 20, 1999.

Since then, we have all gotten to know and love the New York Detectives who work the Special Victims Unit cases.

Those detectives have changed several times as actors have come and gone from the show. Here are the Law & Order: Svu cast members and characters we'll follow during season 26.

Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay)

More than 550 episodes of Law & Order: Svu have been produced leading up to Season 26.

Olivia Benson has appeared in all of them.

Olivia Benson's Most Memorable Moments From 25 Years of Svu

She has been there from the beginning; we have seen her grow and evolve beautifully.

As the years passed, she went from being a detective to the head of the entire department.

The show wouldn't be the same without her.

At this point, Mariska Hargitay is so associated with Captain Benson that it's hard to think of her as any other character.

The Ghoulies franchise has been dormant for thirty years, but it might be coming back in a major way. A couple months ago, Ghoulies director Luca Bercovici, who also wrote the screenplay for the 1984 creature feature with Jefery Levy, announced that he and Levy have reclaimed the domestic rights to Ghoulies and have big plans for the franchise, including making a new trilogy of films, publishing a book series, and launching an exclusive line of figures, apparel, and collectibles. While we wait to see these new films and books, Toynk has unveiled a trio of 14-inch Ghoulies plush toys that will allow fans to take home plush versions of the Fish Ghoulie, Cat Ghoulie, and Rat Ghoulie!

The original Ghoulies had the following synopsis: As a child, Jonathan was almost killed by his father, Malcolm, during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang, who has kept him unaware of his background,...

Not to be confused with the 1986 Gary Paulsen novel that was on your fifth-grade reading list, Adam Green's 2007 slasher "Hatchet" was intended to be an homage to the plentiful stalk-and-kill movies from the 1980s. The first "Hatchet" takes place deep in the swamps of Louisana where feckless city-dwellers get lost while taking a swamp tour. They trade stories of Victor Crowley, a local kid with facial differences who, years ago, was trapped in a burning house set ablaze by prankster teens. Crowley was accidentally killed by his father when he recklessly used a hatchet to free him from the fire. Victor's spirit is now said to haunt the swamp and murder interlopers. Of course, Victor will appear to start the predicted murders. 

Victor Crowley was played by stuntman Kane Hodder, perhaps best known for playing the masked killer Jason Voorhees in "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood,...

Horror sure does come in all shapes and sizes. Let it be known that size always matters to some. But most importantly, the smaller they are the dastardlier and more vicious they become. Ah yes, we’re at that time of month again… what is with this starting off with sexual and body anatomy innuendos?! Goddamn it, ok, we’re back with another Horror Movie Rip-off which brings about two pint-sized demonoids covered in fur. These things possess not just some gnarly looking features to them but can be misconstrued and mistaken for the other. As I’m writing this, I’m starting to get some brain fog of who’s who, but in the end they’re both unique and seem like they’re both concocted out of Hp Lovecraft’s twisted, and nightmarish tales. It’s a shame this wasn’t a three-way (Goddamn it I did it again!

Original Ghoulies creators reclaiming rights for the trilogy, expanding the franchise with book series, collectibles & apparel. Practical effects and dark humor may fuel Ghoulies reboot success, tapping into the revival of the low-budget horror movie trend. Ghoulies could follow the legacy sequel trend and resonate with new audiences, streaming the original movies on Tubi, Roku, Pluto TV.

Horror franchise Ghoulies is making a comeback with a whole new trilogy of films from the creators of the original horror-comedy movies. Ghoulies director and co-writer Luca Bercovici and producer and co-writer Jefery Levy have announced the return of the franchise after reclaiming the rights from Sony.

Ghoulies PG-13ComedyFantasy Horror Release DateJanuary 18, 1985DirectorLuca BercoviciCastPeter Liapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Jack Nance, Peter Risch, Tamara De TreauxRuntime81Main GenreComedyWritersLuca Bercovici, Jefery LevyStudioEmpire PicturesTaglineThey'll get you in the end.

Fans of mischievous little monsters of the 1980s will remember Ghoulies as a series...

The Ghoulies are coming back with a brand-new horror movie trilogy.

Per Bloody Disgusting, original Ghoulies director and co-writer Luca Bercovici and producer and co-writer Jefery Levy have confirmed an upcoming trilogy rebooting the cult classic comedy horror series. The two are joined by writer and producer Theo Lemasters, who explained that the trio is "shopping it now and hoping to film in later Summer/Early Fall." Bercovici and Levy reclaimed the rights to Ghoulies under the Copyright Act of 1975, which allows authors to recapture rights from publishers "after waiting a prescribed period (usually 35 years) and sending a notice within a five-year window."

Related Leprechaun's Next Reboot Will Go Back to the Franchise's Roots The upcoming Leprechaun reboot's director says the new movie will be "scary as hell and also hilarious."

Premiering in 1985, the original Ghoulies starred Peter Liapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Scott Thomson, Jack Nance, and Law...

Four years ago, we heard that Luca Bercovici, who wrote and directed the 1984 creature feature Ghoulies, and his co-writer Jefery Levy were trying to get Ghoulies franchise rights holder Sony Pictures to let them reboot the franchise. Now a press release has revealed that Bercovici and Levy have officially reclaimed the domestic rights to Ghoulies and have big plans for the franchise, including making a new trilogy of films!

According to the press release, “The plan is to develop a new film trilogy for a new generation. The team is expanding the Ghoulies universe beyond the silver screen with a book series that will plunge readers into the darkest depths of the Ghoulies universe. Fans can look forward to bringing home a piece of the Ghoulies universe with an exclusive line of figures, apparel, and collectibles for every devotee of the delightfully demonic Ghoulies.“

Bercovici and Levy are working with...

Empire Pictures’ lovable cult classic creature feature Ghoulies went on to spawn a four-movie franchise that ended with 1994’s Ghoulies IV. That means we haven’t seen or heard from the franchise in almost 30 years, but the original creators are now determined to bring the tiny rubber monsters back to life – and it seems they’ve reclaimed the rights to be able to do it.

Director/Co-Writer Luca Bercovici and Producer/Co-Writer Jefery Levy have reclaimed the domestic rights to their 1984 cult classic film, a press release has informed us.

The plan? They want to “develop a new film trilogy for a new generation”!

We’ve been told that two of the scripts are already complete, with the third one halfway complete at the time of this article being published. “We are shopping it now and hoping to film in late Summer/Early Fall,” writer/producer Theo Lemasters tells Bloody Disgusting.

Quick Links Gremlins 3 Latest News Gremlins 3 Is Not Confirmed Gremlins 3 Cast Gremlins 3 Story Gremlins 3: Further News & Info Actor Zach Galligan is confident that a live-action Gremlins 3 film will happen due to the success of the animated series Secrets of the Mogwai. Despite speculation and the popularity of the franchise, Gremlins 3 has not been confirmed as an official project by Warner Bros. The cast of Gremlins 3 is uncertain, but Zach Galligan has expressed his desire to reprise his role, and Phoebe Cates may come out of her unofficial retirement to return as well.

Gremlins 3 has been one of the most in-demand sequels in recent cinematic history, but will the project ever actually happen? Starting with the release of 1984's Gremlins, the iconic '80s franchise follows a young man named Billy Peltzer who is gifted a strange creature known as a Mogwai.

The episode of The Black Sheep covering Ghoulies Go to College was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Brandon Nally, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

Ok, I’ve thought about this long and hard, discussed with my local priest and therapist, and after much internal strife, I’ve decided it’s time. You hear a lot about rip-offs for franchises, particularly the big ones. We have Jaws rip-offs, Exorcist rip-offs, Halloween rip-offs, and more. What you don’t hear a lot about, and good lord do they exist, are the multiple rip-offs of Gremlins. Gremlins got its own incredible sequel and then finally this year its very own animated show that is… fine… it’s fine. But with Gremlins profitability came the clones. We got the fun and good with the Critters franchise, the bad with both Munchies and Hobgoblins,...

Just when we thought the Barbenheimer phenomenon had cooled down — as marketing for Barbie and Oppenheimer has been over for months, memes had stopped surfacing like before, and the movies are now out of theaters — B-movie veteran director and producer Charles Band has decided to bring this cultural phenomenon to life in the upcoming movie, Barbenheimer.

Both Barbie and Oppenheimer were successful in shattering box office records, creating worldwide buzz, and becoming a beloved double-feature for moviegoers this past summer. While Greta Gerwig vibrantly presented Barbie's journey from dreamland to the real world with thought-provoking themes, Christopher Nolan took an intense turn by showing J. Robert Oppenheimer's epic journey of becoming the father of the atomic bomb, as well as the horrors that came with it.

The Barbenheimer phenomenon is a singular moment in pop culture, which makes sense why Band would turn his camera towards it in an upcoming parody movie.

Syndicate Collectibles is a new company on the horror scene, but the company’s owner is anything but new to the business. Jerry Macaluso, formerly of Sota Toys and Pop Culture Shock Collectibles, is the man behind Syndicate Collectibles, and he’s acquired all kinds of licenses including Ghoulies, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Howling, and Pumpkinhead.

These upcoming collectibles are regularly teased on the official Syndicate Collectibles Instagram account, where Jerry has revealed that he’s also got the Army of Darkness license.

In addition to an incredible Ash Williams statue, the company took to Instagram this week to tease a full size replica of Ash’s chainsaw hand from the 1992 Sam Raimi sequel!

The company writes, “Yes, we are actually making Ash’s iconic chainsaw hand from Army of Darkness! This finely crafted prop replica is not just for show — it roars to life with authentic sounds!

Film industry cynics may take one look at a newly announced low-budget comedy called Barbenheimer and a poster that uses Barbie’s iconic pink font over a picture of a nuclear explosion and features the tagline “D-Cup, A-Bomb,” and immediately assume it’s simply a shameless attempt to cash in on a very recent cultural phenomenon. And those cynics would be absolutely correct, says Charles Band, the prolific B-movie icon who has been making low-budget horror comedies since the early 1970s.

“It’s 100 percent true,” he says. “But it’s also an opportunity to have fun with the bizarre coupling of these two movies and the combination of Barbie’s vibe and the darkness of Oppenheimer. You mix that together and you have such an opportunity for dark humor.”

Barbenheimer, selling at the American Film Market (where else?) with Amp, follows Dr. Bambi J Barbenheimer, a brilliant scientist doll living in Dolltopia,...

This Friday is the Final Friday the 13th of the year, and it’s all the more special because it’s taking place in October, mere weeks before Halloween. How are we celebrating?

By watching horror movies all day long, of course!

While streaming services like Shudder, Screambox, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Paramount+ and Prime Video are loaded with frights to stream for Friday the 13th, don’t forget that the nightmares aren’t limited to streaming. Good old fashioned cable television is always a great source of horror this time of the year, and that’s doubly true on a day like Friday the 13th.

We’ve scoured the schedules of channels like AMC, Syfy and Freeform to find all the horror airing on TV this Friday, putting together your official Friday the 13th TV Guide!

Highlights include a Friday the 13th marathon on AMC FearFest, the I Know What You Did...

Not every Ghoulies movie is a cinematic masterpiece, but the franchise has a cult following due to its charmingly bizarre and campy elements. Ghoulies IV was the only sequel that returned to the original premise, but it failed to capture the essence of the original film and cheapened the iconic Ghoulies design. Ghoulies II is considered the best film in the franchise, as it successfully combines scares and silly fun while giving the Ghoulies a more prominent role.

Not every Ghoulies movie claims the title of top-tier cinema; some are notably better than others. These pint-sized creatures, with their campy and at times outright absurd antics, occupy a distinctive niche in pop culture, particularly enjoyed by enthusiasts of the charmingly bizarre world of '80s horror. The franchise's enduring appeal and cult status stand unrivaled, despite not all the films being cinematic masterpieces. While certain films adeptly embraced the campy elements,...

Ghoulies is not the Gremlins rip-off its reputation suggests. The two films were in production at the same time, but budgetary issues delayed the release of Ghoulies. Although it likely benefited from Gremlins‘ success, the similarities begin and end with diminutive monsters. Ghoulies II actually shares more in common with Gremlins, as the first Ghoulies leans more — arguably too much — into the fantasy realm.

From producer Charles Band’s Empire Pictures, the 1985 horror-comedy is directed by Luca Bercovici (Rockula) from a script he co-wrote with producer Jefery Levy. At just over 80 minutes, the film doesn’t waste time trying to make sense of its messy plot.

When Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) inherits an old manor from the father he never knew, he does what any 20-something with newfound freedom would do: throw a party. Something wills Jonathan to perform a ritual from an old book he finds among his father’s occult paraphernalia,...

The idiom "never judge a book by its cover" is one that has been ingrained in the brains of people since they were young, and while this metaphorical phrase is generally reserved for holding off judgment on another person, it is also used in a literal sense when looking at the media one wants to consume. Movie posters are generally representative of the films they want to present, allowing audiences a little preview of what they will see on screen. However, there have been many cases where a movie's poster is -- intentionally or not -- misleading, especially in horror.

While one of these horror entries made a misleading poster on purpose, most of these movie posters were inaccurate representations of the films they were trying to present. Whether showcasing scenes with very little significance to the plot, such as Happy Birthday to Me and Ghoulies, or just using images...

The 1984 cult classic Ghoulies is once again emerging from the toilet with a brand new 4K Ultra HD release on September 12, 2023, and action figures are also coming soon!

New company Syndicate Collectibles is on hand at San Diego Comic-Con this week and they’re showing off a wave of four upcoming action figures based on the original Ghoulies.

ToyArk notes, “Syndicate Collectibles is the new company from Jerry Macaluso, formerly of Sota Toys and Pop Culture Shock Collectibles. They’re tackling licenses that have been in dire need of collectibles, and revisiting some old favorites.”

Preview the Ghoulies toys below, and thank ToyArk for the photo from the Sdcc floor!

In the original Ghoulies, “A young man and his girlfriend move into an old mansion home, where he becomes possessed by a desire to control ancient demons.”

The post ‘Ghoulies’ Action Figures Coming Soon from Syndicate Collectibles! [Image] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Ghoulies II Blu-ray from Mvd

Ghoulies II will be released on Blu-ray on September 12 via Mvd’s Rewind Collection. It comes with reversible artwork, a slipcover, and a mini poster. The first Ghoulies hits 4K Uhd and Blu-ray the same day.

The 1987 horror-comedy sequel is directed by Albert Band (I Bury the Living) and written by Dennis Paoli. Damon Martin, Royal Dano, Phil Fondacaro, J. Downing, and Kerry Remsen star. Charles Band executive produces.

Ghoulies II has been scanned in 2K from the interpositive, overseen by MGM, with Lpcm 2.0 Stereo Audio. Special features include a making-of featurette with Band, Remsen, actor Donnie Jeffcoat, and special effects artist Gino Crognale; an introduction and interview with Paoli; and deleted scenes.

Last week, we shared the news that the 1985 creature feature Ghoulies (watch it Here) is getting a Blu-ray and 4K Uhd release, courtesy of Mvd Rewind Collection, on September 12th. Now we can confirm that Mvd Rewind Collection is also giving the 1988 sequel Ghoulies II (watch that one Here) a new Blu-ray and DVD release on that same date. The company is hoping to give the film a 4K Uhd release as well, but they can’t say for sure when that is going to happen.

Albert Band (the father of Full Moon founder Charles Band) directed Ghoulies II from a script by Charlie Dolan and Dennis Paoli, telling the following story: The Ghoulies are back and more devilish than ever, as they turn an unsuspecting carnival into a house of pandemonium in this wildly outrageous sequel to the original smash hit “Ghoulies”! “Satan’s Den” has received its final...

Last year, Umbrella Entertainment gave the 1985 creature feature Ghoulies (watch it Here) a Blu-ray release in Australia that contained three different cults of the movie, and also packaged it with its first sequel. Now Mvd Rewind Collection has announced that they’re giving Ghoulies a special edition release as well – and this one is going to be Blu-ray and 4K Uhd! The street date is September 12.

Directed by Luca Bercovici from a script he wrote with Jefery Levy, the first Ghoulies has the following synopsis: As a child, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) was almost killed by his father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang (Jack Nance), who has kept him unaware of his background, Jonathan inherits Malcolm’s house and moves in with girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan). Through his explorations of the house, he begins unlocking the secrets and latent powers contained within his new found home.

The 1984 cult classic Ghoulies is once again emerging from the toilet with a brand new release, this time joining the 4K LaserVision Collection label from the Mvd Rewind Collection.

Dawn of the Discs brings us the word that Ghoulies will be making its 4K Ultra HD debut on September 12, 2023, the release boasting a brand spankin’ new 4K restoration.

Here’s the full breakdown for the Collector’s Edition 4K + Blu-ray release…

4K Special Features:

2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / Hdr Optional English Subtitles 2.0 Mono DTS-hd Audio Archival 2015 Audio commentary with director Luca Bercovici Archival 2016 Audio commentary by director Luca Bercovici moderated by Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission Collectible “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster

Blu-ray Special Features:

2023 HD Restoration of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio Optional English Subtitles 2.0 Mono DTS-hd Audio Archival...

The Puppet Master episode of Best Horror Movie You Never Saw was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Jason Hewlett, Edited by Paul Bookstaber, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

Counting all sequels, prequels, spin-offs, crossovers, and even a Fangoria reboot, there are over a dozen entries in the Puppet Master franchise. Which can make the idea of diving into it rather intimidating. Especially since some of the films don’t have a stellar reputation. But while the series has ups and downs, there are some great entries. And its legion of living puppets – which can be villains or heroes, depending on who’s pulling their strings – are characters you have to see in action. So we’re urging you to give at least some of these films a chance. Starting with the very first Puppet Master (watch it Here)… which may be...

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood is one of the more divisive entries of the long running franchise. Fans have always praised its depiction of Jason, with his weathered, rotted appearance and for Kane Hodder donning the mask for the very first time, but have criticized its more fantasy-based story direction and the fact that the exquisite gore sequences were so drastically cut by the MPAA that they practically neutered the movie. I think there’s some weight to these arguments, but I also think that many fans tend to criticize The New Blood for not being what they wanted it to be rather than enjoying it for what it is, partly because what it actually became is spectacularly out-of-left field and unexpected for what began as a straight-to-the-point summer camp slasher. Not even a decade after the original’s release, here comes Friday the 13th Part VII...

The '80s and '90s were exciting times for monster movies, especially mini-monsters. The silver screen contained a plethora of miniature monsters that mischievously wreaked havoc on their victims in various scenarios. Whether it was the Critters, Gremlins, or Ghoulies film series, horror moviegoers could count on some bloody, grotesque, and often comedic entertainment from the pint-sized villain. Yet, unlike the scary movies that came later, they were never pitted against each other. This begs the question: which of these movie monsters was the best at creating carnage and mayhem?

Although each franchise has a different number of films and creatures of various abilities, respectively, there are some similarities between them. For instance, all three monster types use tools, communicate (albeit to mixed degrees), possess razor-sharp teeth and claws, and can be reproduced. While fans of the genre would arguably better remember the gremlins' reproduction process due to the...

The third installment in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, is now available to stream on Screambox. The sequel was initially released in 1990 and marked the first entry in the franchise distributed by New Line Cinema in an attempt to turn it into a new series that harkened back to the original’s gritty horror roots.

Considering the events of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, that also meant introducing a new cannibalistic clan to accompany the iconic Leatherface in the sequel. Leatherface follows a couple from California who run afoul of the Sawyer clan after a bizarre run-in with a hitchhiker at a Texas gas station. That hitchhiker, Tex, is played by The Lord of the Rings trilogy star and frequent David Cronenberg collaborator Viggo Mortensen. Mind you, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III isn’t Mortensen’s first horror role – that distinction belongs to 1987’s...

This article appears in the new issue of Den Of Geek magazine. Get your copy here.

In 1978, John Carpenter’s Halloween ushered in the era of the slasher movie.

The film was responsible for something else, too. Over the next 15 years, any number of weird and wonderful horror movies popped up inspired by notable dates in the calendar. Friday the 13th, Mother’s Day, My Bloody Valentine, and April Fool’s Day all cashed in on the concept.

It was against this backdrop that TV writer Mark Jones came up with the most brilliantly bizarre entry of them all: Leprechaun. “Back in the 1980s, there was a lot of advertising for Lucky Charms with this little leprechaun character,” Jones tells Den of Geek magazine. “It suddenly occurred to me that no one had done a St. Patrick’s Day horror movie. Everyone knew what a leprechaun was. Plus, they were...

Ah, Ghoulies – the other, other Gremlins knock-off. This label is something of unfair misnomer, as the first Ghoulies film was in production at the same time as Joe Dante’s classic film. This little franchise that could sit on a porcelain throne of cult appreciation alongside other Tiny Terror pictures like Critters and Troll. The […]

The post ‘Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College’ is a Silly Creature Feature Delight [Hidden Gems] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Producer Charles Band discusses a few of his favorite films with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Re-Animator (1985) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

Citizen Kane (1941) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

Puppet Master (1989)

Dollman (1991)

Trancers (1984)

Corona Zombies (2020)

Cannibal Women In The Avocado Jungle of Death (1989)

Frankenstein (1931) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Wolf Man (1941) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Alex Kirschenbaum’s Wolf Man power rankings

I Bury The Living (1958) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

Face of Fire (1959)

Hercules (1958)

The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad (1958) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary

Jason And The Argonauts (1963) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary

King Kong (1933)

King Kong (1976) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

The Exorcist (1973) – Oren Peli’s trailer commentary

Star Wars (1977)

The Omega Man (1971)

Castle Freak (1995)

Tourist Trap (1979) – David DeCoteau’s trailer commentary

Laserblast (1978)

Crash!

As the calendar turns to March, we’re sure you guys and ghouls are looking to get your horror fix.

No matter your preferred flavor, the world’s streamers are supplying a litany of chilling, newly-available options for you this month. Granted, this whole list could just include new titles on Shudder or Screambox, but we figured we’d spread the wealth around a bit to highlight some of the best and/or most intriguing flicks across a variety of services.

All of these films are free to stream stateside, starting this month, with a subscription to the listed streaming platforms. We’ll try to divvy these up to appease all you niche horror maniacs.

Abercrombie & Fitch Slasher Cinema – Urban Legend (1998), HBO Max:

The original Urban Legend stands as just one of several post-modern Scream rip-offs in the late ’90s, wherein every youthful cast member looked like they wore...

March 2022 is a great month for blonde women with cold, dead stares on Hulu.

With its list of new releases for March 2022, Hulu is highlighting two major original series ripped straight from the headlines. The first is The Dropout, which premieres on March 3. This show stars Amanda Seyfried (taking over from the previously cast Kate McKinnon) as Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. This story about high-level corporate fraud is truly wild, enough so to accommodate several books, podcasts, and even an upcoming film starring Jennifer Lawrence. Hulu is certainly hoping its version is the definitive one.

Read more TV Pam & Tommy Will Make You Hate Everyone But Pam By Alec Bojalad Movies Why The Princess Bride Is a Perfect Fantasy Movie By David Crow

The Dropout‘s spiritual counterpart will be The Girl From Plainville, which premieres on March 29. This is another story you might be familiar with. If not, just...

(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)

The Movie: "Critters"

Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max

The Pitch: If you want a fun horror tale about tiny furballs with razor sharp teeth then "Critters" is the movie for you. They're meaner than "Gremlins," funnier than "Ghoulies," and weirder than any of those little "Puppet Master" dudes.

Let's take a look back into the old glory days of New Line Cinema. We're talking before "Lord of the Rings" when the small...

The post The Daily Stream: Critters is Still a Lean, Mean Entertainment Machine appeared first on /Film.