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IMDbPro

Night of the Creeps

  • 1986
  • R
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
28K
YOUR RATING
Jason Lively and Jill Whitlow in Night of the Creeps (1986)
In 1959, a college couple see an object plummet to Earth. The boy accidentally swallows a space-slug that shoots out. In 1986, two freshmen roam the campus and stumble across the corpse of the boy who swallowed the space-slug. Once thawed out, the corpse comes to life.
Play trailer1:27
12 Videos
99+ Photos
B-HorrorBody HorrorParodyTeen ComedyZombie HorrorComedyHorrorSci-Fi

Alien brain parasites, entering humans through the mouth, turn their host into a killing zombie. Some teenagers start to fight against them.Alien brain parasites, entering humans through the mouth, turn their host into a killing zombie. Some teenagers start to fight against them.Alien brain parasites, entering humans through the mouth, turn their host into a killing zombie. Some teenagers start to fight against them.

  • Director
    • Fred Dekker
  • Writer
    • Fred Dekker
  • Stars
    • Jason Lively
    • Tom Atkins
    • Steve Marshall
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    28K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Fred Dekker
    • Writer
      • Fred Dekker
    • Stars
      • Jason Lively
      • Tom Atkins
      • Steve Marshall
    • 194User reviews
    • 191Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos12

    Night of the Creeps
    Trailer 1:27
    Night of the Creeps
    Night of the Creeps
    Clip 1:03
    Night of the Creeps
    Night of the Creeps
    Clip 1:03
    Night of the Creeps
    Night of the Creeps
    Clip 1:31
    Night of the Creeps
    Night of the Creeps
    Clip 1:00
    Night of the Creeps
    Night of the Creeps
    Clip 1:54
    Night of the Creeps
    Night Of The Creeps Director's Cut: It Was A Zombie
    Clip 0:58
    Night Of The Creeps Director's Cut: It Was A Zombie

    Photos116

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    Top cast58

    Edit
    Jason Lively
    Jason Lively
    • Chris
    Tom Atkins
    Tom Atkins
    • Ray Cameron
    Steve Marshall
    Steve Marshall
    • J.C.
    Jill Whitlow
    Jill Whitlow
    • Cynthia
    Wally Taylor
    • Detective Landis
    Bruce Solomon
    Bruce Solomon
    • Sgt. Raimi
    Vic Polizos
    Vic Polizos
    • Coroner
    Allan Kayser
    Allan Kayser
    • Brad
    • (as Allan J. Kayser)
    Ken Heron
    Ken Heron
    • Johnny
    Alice Cadogan
    Alice Cadogan
    • Pam
    June Harris
    • Karen
    David Paymer
    David Paymer
    • Young Scientist
    David Oliver
    David Oliver
    • Steve
    Evelyne Smith
    Evelyne Smith
    • House Mother
    Ivan E. Roth
    Ivan E. Roth
    • Psycho Zombie
    Daniel Frishman
    Daniel Frishman
    • Alien Zombie
    Kevin Thompson
    • Alien Pursuer #1
    Joseph S. Griffo
    Joseph S. Griffo
    • Alien Pursuer #2
    • Director
      • Fred Dekker
    • Writer
      • Fred Dekker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews194

    6.727.9K
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    Featured reviews

    NathanielAOliver

    Definitely one of the better B-movies!

    "Night of the Creeps" is definitely one of the better B-movies that are out there. Granted, like all B-movies it's a bit hokey at times, and also follows along the trademark lines with films of this caliber (obligatory boob shot, corny dialogue, poor camera techniques, etc.).

    But give "Night of the Creeps" its due. First of all, it is fairly original for a B-movie. Alien slugs that infest the brain and turn you into a zombie may seem like a typical B-movie theme, but it's portrayed in a fairly unique manner. Given the time period of this movie's release, and it's obviously small budget, I'm quite impressed with the special-effects of the alien slugs as they race along the ground throughout the film. They're so simple, that it makes them look realistic and somewhat unnerving. In horror films, it is often the most simple effects that are the most discomforting to the viewer. I put these alien slugs along that line.

    I really like Tom Atkins ("Lethal Weapon") as Detective Cameron too. He's the perfect actor for this particular role as the washed-up detective. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately for Tom's career, it seems that he often got type-cast to play the depressed, on-edge characters. Atkins is one of the bonuses in this B-flick.

    Another "acting bonus" would have to be our two young heroes played by Jason Lively ("European Vacation") and Jill Whitlow. Lively as always plays the young, likable clod. Somewhat bashful, somewhat moronic, somewhat accident-prone, but you can't help but like the guy. And Whitlow is just plain cute. I sometimes think that 80's flicks didn't have enough cute girls in them, but Whitlow is definitely one of them.

    All in all, "Night of the Creeps" is good for a B-movie. It'll entertain you for sure, and you won't get sick of it while you're watching. It's definitely one to watch if you're into the B-movie thing.
    XFA

    Now This - Is Something To See

    This movie is so super cool. I love this movie. Even though the stars are like second - billing , this movie is still like no other - its original all in it's own right. Had to be a drive - in film from the looks of the release date. Wish I seen it there! If you have a slug in you , on you or around you - to say the least - you're totally bumming. 80s comedy - horror at its best. Makes you laugh and scares you into jumping out of your seat. Spooky. Funny and different make this a favorite of mine...and maybe yours! I rate this 9 / 10
    7PetShopBoy2024

    Cult '80's Movie

    It's quite good. The lot is here, zombies, aliens, slasher, and slugs, in fact the silliness is that it doesn't know which one to use. The opening scene makes you think it is an alien film, then slugs, then a slasher then zombies.

    Fun in parts, but most of all no one seems to care that there is something out there that is killing the fraternity. It's very much an "oh, okay" movie.

    For its time, the special effects are exceptionally good although the cat and the dog who have been turned into, well, zombies I think, are quite dodgy. But that's the attraction. It is an 80's B movie that everyone will love to watch. It doesn't take anything serious throughout. Have a laugh and watch it.
    6joiningjt

    Fun 1980s comedy horror, a gem, watch it and enjoy!!

    This is a comedy horror gem!! Its corny its campy its 1980s its awesome!! Dont take it serious because you can't it's a fricking comedy horror!! I laughed a lot, I saw this way back in 1988 and enjoyed it then on VHS now I own the bluray it's in my must watch once a year collection. Like I said dont over judge and you'll enjoy this 1980s romp!!
    7utgard14

    "What is this, a homicide or a bad B movie?"

    College freshmen Chris and J.C. (Jason Lively, Steve Marshall) are trying to join a fraternity and are given the initiation challenge of stealing a body from the morgue. In attempting to do this, they unfreeze a cryogenically-frozen body that was inhabited by parasitic alien slugs in 1959. Now the alien slugs are free and attacking the college campus, turning people into zombies. After his friend is killed, Chris tries to stop the slugs & zombies with the help of a detective (Tom Atkins) whose tragic backstory ties into the alien attack in 1959.

    This terrific '80s horror comedy from Fred Dekker is one of the most underrated movies from that decade. Steve Marshall is great fun as the handicapped best friend of 'the hero.' He gets many of the movie's best lines. Jason Lively and beautiful Jill Whitlow are both good. Allan Kayser (Bubba from "Mama's Family") is the Zabka-esque jock villain. The movie's highlight is Tom Atkins, who gives a memorable performance as the tough and sarcastic detective. The movie's filled with in-jokes and references that genre fans will enjoy. The movie itself is a sort of homage to classic B sci-fi/horror flicks of the '50s. By the way, in one scene Jill Whitlow is making cookies or something in the kitchen with her sorority sisters. She drops a wooden spoon and kicks it under the refrigerator. Then she picks it up and proceeds to put it right back in the bowl. Eww, how gross is that? That made me want to vomit far more than any of the movie's special effects! Give it a shot and I'm sure you'll agree it's great fun and years ahead of its time. Any movie with a Dick Miller cameo can't be that bad.

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    Related interests

    Bridget Hoffman in The Evil Dead (1981)
    B-Horror
    Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)
    Body Horror
    Bill Pullman, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga, and Lorene Yarnell Jansson in Spaceballs (1987)
    Parody
    Lacey Chabert, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried in Mean Girls (2004)
    Teen Comedy
    Pedro Pascal in Long, Long Time (2023)
    Zombie Horror
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Fred Dekker was asked during an interview why J.C. (Steve Marshall) is handicapped, he replied, "There's no reason aside except that we just don't see it. You can make a movie with a character who's handicapped without the story being about the fact that he's handicapped."
    • Goofs
      During the scene when Chris and J.C. are confronted, one shot shows the second-unit AD clearly in the background waving towards people off camera to stay out of the shot.
    • Quotes

      Detective Cameron: I got good news and bad news, girls. The good news is your dates are here.

      Sorority Sister: What's the bad news?

      Detective Cameron: They're dead.

    • Alternate versions
      German theatrical and VHS releases were cut for violence to secure "Not under 16" rating from FSK. All cuts have since been waived with the German Blu-ray release with the same "Not under 16" rating.
    • Connections
      Edited into Cent une tueries de zombies (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
      Written by Jerome Kern (uncredited) and Otto A. Harbach (uncredited)

      Performed by The Platters

      Courtesy of PolyGram Special Projects, A Division of PolyGram Records, Inc.

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    FAQ22

    • How long is Night of the Creeps?Powered by Alexa
    • When Cameron is fighting off a couple of zombies, a sorority sister is kneeling behind him. When the camera focuses on her, she reveals herself to be under the influence of the slugs. How did she become infected? No slug is ever seen going after her.
    • How many different versions are available of this movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 22, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El terror llama a su puerta
    • Filming locations
      • Griffith Observatory, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Tri-Star Pictures
      • Delphi V Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $591,366
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $220,800
      • Aug 24, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $591,842
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28m(88 min)
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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