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Killer Klowns from Outer Space

  • 1988
  • PG-13
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
50K
YOUR RATING
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Aliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.
Play trailer1:54
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Alien InvasionB-HorrorDark ComedyMonster HorrorParodySpace Sci-FiSupernatural HorrorComedyHorrorSci-Fi

Aliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.Aliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.Aliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.

  • Director
    • Stephen Chiodo
  • Writers
    • Charles Chiodo
    • Stephen Chiodo
    • Edward Chiodo
  • Stars
    • Grant Cramer
    • Suzanne Snyder
    • John Allen Nelson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    50K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stephen Chiodo
    • Writers
      • Charles Chiodo
      • Stephen Chiodo
      • Edward Chiodo
    • Stars
      • Grant Cramer
      • Suzanne Snyder
      • John Allen Nelson
    • 370User reviews
    • 176Critic reviews
    • 43Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos3

    Original Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Original Trailer
    5 UFO Movies to Stream Now
    Clip 1:05
    5 UFO Movies to Stream Now
    5 UFO Movies to Stream Now
    Clip 1:05
    5 UFO Movies to Stream Now
    Killer Klowns From Outer Space: Puppet Show
    Clip 1:08
    Killer Klowns From Outer Space: Puppet Show

    Photos182

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    + 176
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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Grant Cramer
    Grant Cramer
    • Mike Tobacco
    Suzanne Snyder
    Suzanne Snyder
    • Debbie Stone
    John Allen Nelson
    John Allen Nelson
    • Officer Dave Hansen
    John Vernon
    John Vernon
    • Officer Curtis Mooney
    Michael S. Siegel
    Michael S. Siegel
    • Rich Terenzi
    • (as Michael Siegel)
    Peter Licassi
    Peter Licassi
    • Paul Terenzi
    Royal Dano
    Royal Dano
    • Farmer Gene Green
    Christopher Titus
    Christopher Titus
    • Bob McReed
    • (as Chris Titus)
    Irene Michaels
    • Stacy
    Karla Sue Krull
    • Tracy
    Aeron Macintyre
    Aeron Macintyre
    • Punk #1
    • (as Brian Degan Scott)
    Danny Kovacs
    • Punk #2
    Adele Proom
    • Mrs. Franco
    Howard Malpas
    • Mr. Myers
    Karen Raff
    • Mom #1
    Kathleen Stefano
    • Mom #2
    Claire Bartle
    • Little Girl
    Sharon O'Mahoney
    • Waitress
    • Director
      • Stephen Chiodo
    • Writers
      • Charles Chiodo
      • Stephen Chiodo
      • Edward Chiodo
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews370

    6.250K
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    Featured reviews

    7Coventry

    Seriously deranged cult-stuff!

    Yes, this movie really does handle about evil aliens, shaped like clowns, that strand near a remote American village. Their circus tent mysteriously appears in the woods after a meteorite crash and the klowns (yes, with a "k") go on a rampage in the village to turn people into cotton-candy with their funky armory. Their mission is to take the human snacks back to their planet but a team of local dummies makes a counter-attack in their ice cream-truck! This movie unquestionably has the most absurd premise in cinema ever and you either love it or downgrade it as being a ridiculous piece of trash. I am a great fan of this campy horror-comedy flick and I can't possibly say anything negative about it. My best defense for this movie would be that it is an ingenious and successful attempt to parody and homage the 50's and early 60's SF classics in which paranoid people witnessed alien-invasions from all over the universe. But actually, the silliness of this movie doesn't require justification at all. It feels like the idea started out as a joke between 3 brothers and eventually it resulted in a long-feature film. The acting isn't very impressive (apart from veteran actor John Vernon in a great 'angry old copper'-role) and the dialogues are unimaginably dumb. On the other hand, the clown-costumes are terrific and the least you can say about the plot-twists is that they're creative (a Godzilla-clown, anyone??). So, in case you have only the tiniest sense of morbid humor in you, I strongly recommend tracking down this "Killer Klowns from Outer Space". It will, without a doubt, be one the most bizarre film projects you ever laid eyes on.
    7electronsexparty

    I know bad when I see it...

    I know bad when I see it. As a MST3K fanatic, I've seen the worst of the worst and loved every minute. I rented Killer Klowns thinking it would be so bad I'd groan and laugh the whole way through.

    Gasp, Killer Klowns isn't bad at all- it's creative and funny. This movie doesn't take itself seriously, and that makes for fun time for everyone.

    It's a contemporary monster movie with a 1950's Blob-ish feel. The Chiodo Bros. demented sense of humor, simple and coherent plot, kreepy-looking klowns and decent cast of actors makes for an entertaining Friday night movie.Pair this one up with The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra and you've got yourself a great double-feature.
    8HumanoidOfFlesh

    Vastly entertaining horror comedy.

    "Killer Klowns from Outer Space"(1988)by Stephen Chiodo is a horror movie so ridiculous that it's hard to dislike it.What makes it work so well is that it successfully toys with our expectations.Some people just hate clowns,and this movie exaggerates everything that makes them scary.The plot involves some really creepy aliens who look like clowns.They have come to our planet to turn people into food.The clowns capture their victims in cocoons made of cotton candy,their guns look like colorful toy pistols,their pies are acidic,their popcorns turn into snake-like creatures and their ship is a circus tent.Anyway,this crazy film is extremely entertaining.The make-up is beyond grotesque and the clowns look very creepy.The film received a cult status many years ago and it's easy to see why.So if you are a fan of twisted and bizarre horror films give this one a chance.8 out of 10.
    8Duzniak38

    A Creative B-Movie

    Killer Klowns from Outer Space is an unusual and inventive sci-fi B-Movie about Killer Klowns who invade a town and start viciously killing people. It's original plot and inventive ideas make this an enjoyable movie which doesn't take itself too seriously. Which genre it belongs in borderlines throughout the film. Soemtimes it is pure indulgent comedy, for example Killer Klowns running around with acidic ice-cream sundaes and popcorn ray guns, and wrapping people up in cotton candy cocoons and slurping their blood through twisty straws. But then it isn't really ideal for children and very sensitive viewers, as the added gore, the effectively scary Klown makeup and costuming, and the horrifying ideas make it hard to find it's target audience and definite genre. Most adults can enjoy this without being too grossed-out and scared. However it does stick in your mind, and the Klowns themselves are unnerving and horrific to look at. The goofiness of the story makes it great popcorn fun though, so just take it lightly and enjoy the combination of gore and comedy. The big colourful bright candylike sets and the fantastic Klown technology and surrealism adds more twist to the already freaky premise. The script and acting is just above average, with some good performance and memorable quotes and fun scenes. Killer Klowns from Outer Space is great popcorn-munchin' fun.
    6The_Void

    A bunch of aliens clowning around

    When it comes to silly movies, they don't get much sillier than this one. The title says it all, and its clear going into a movie called 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space' that you're not exactly going to be in for a serious ride. To be honest, I can't say I was overly enthused with this Sci-Fi spoof, but it's not hard to see why it's got a cult following. The film takes in the idea of clowns being eerie and frightening, and fuses it with the common theme of aliens coming down from space; thus giving us aliens that look like clowns. For what it is, the film is actually quite inventive; and while much of the action is clichéd and/or samey, it's the little things that ensure it doesn't get boring. As mentioned, the plot follows aliens from space that look like clowns. When their spaceship (a tent) lands in the forest, two kids rush to the police headquarters to tell the law that their town is being invaded. If someone gave me that story, I'd definitely believe it; but the law in this town is slightly more sceptical, and while the kids aren't being believed; the clown population is growing.

    One thing I do like about this movie is the special effects. Rather than simply having the clowns being played by men in make-up and baggy clothes, director Stephen Chiodo has opted to make actual suits for the villains. The special effects are a lot like those seen in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice in the same year, and bode well with this absurd plot line. The style of the movie is consistently clown themed, and parts of the film such as the climax on the alien spaceship look great. The acting is typical B-movie, but the movie does benefit from several good performers. The young cast perform well enough with energetic performances that, like the rest of the movie, aren't delivered too seriously; but the standout is veteran actor John Vernon, who is great in the role of the sceptic police officer. The 'horror' in this movie is hardly potent, as much of it is sapped out because of the fact that it's all a big joke - but ideas such as people being cocooned in candy floss or eaten up by a shadow puppet are surreally frightening. Overall, this isn't a favourite of mine; but it offers ninety minutes of good fun and there's no real reason to hate it.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene in which a car is thrown over a cliff was initially intended to be far more spectacular - the car was to fly over the cliff and crash down to the ground. Unfortunately, the sling rope snapped because effects crew members neglected to remove the stoppers from underneath the car's wheels. The result was what is seen in the final film, the car slowly tumbles over the edge and becomes caught on a tree.
    • Goofs
      When the farmer goes in his house to get supplies, the prop master is visible inside the doorway as he exits.
    • Quotes

      Security Guard: What're ya gonna do with those *pies*, boys?

    • Crazy credits
      Film was released in 1988, but the ending credits claim copyright 1987
    • Alternate versions
      In the TV version before the puppet show the guy throws his popcorn bag over his head which is then tossed back at him. This is the reason he heads up to the puppet show.
    • Connections
      Edited into DrScreams: This is Why Killer Klowns from Outer Space 2 Hasn't Happened (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Killer Klowns (From Outer Space)
      Performed by The Dickies

      Written by Leonard Graves Phillips (as Leonard Phillips)

      Produced by Leonard Graves Phillips (as Leonard Phillips) and Ron Hitchcock

      Courtesy of Enigma Entertainment Corporation

      Published by El Porto Music (ASCAP)

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    FAQ

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    • Why did the Klowns put debbie and the other women into giant balloons?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 27, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Clowns asesinos
    • Filming locations
      • 65 & 75 & 85 Nielson St, Watsonville, California, USA(interior of the ship was filmed in at the time a Seagate Computer Electronic's Manufacturing Facility. Now it's owned by Watsonville Community Hospital in present time.)
    • Production companies
      • Sarlui / Diamant
      • Chiodo Brothers Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,412
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1(original ratio, open matte)

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