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Killer Klowns from Outer Space

  • 1988
  • PG-13
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
52K
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
    52K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stephen Chiodo
    • Writers
      • Charles Chiodo
      • Stephen Chiodo
      • Edward Chiodo
    • Stars
      • Grant Cramer
      • Suzanne Snyder
      • John Allen Nelson
    • 381User reviews
    • 179Critic 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 reviews381

    6.251.5K
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    Featured reviews

    7cricketbat

    Killer Klowns is kind of kool

    Killer Klowns from Outer Space knows what it is-a silly B-movie featuring goofy gimmicks and a hokey story. The actors also seem to be in on the joke, which means none of them are taking it seriously, either. This movie is an enjoyable, ridiculous ride and features some impressive visual effects for having such a small budget. Killer Klowns is kind of kool.
    6claudio_carvalho

    Funny and Original Silliness

    In Crescent Cove, Dave Hanson (John Allen Nelson) and Debbie Stone (Suzanne Snyder) are dating in an isolated place and they see a shooting star crashing in the woods. They decide to look for the place where the star crashed and they find a weird circus tent. Soon they discover that the circus is a spacecraft and the aliens look like clowns. Further many residents were killed and are wrapped in cocoons. They are hunted down by the killer clowns but they succeed to flee. They head to the town and they meet the open-minded Sheriff Mike Tobacco (Grant Cramer), who is Debbie's former boy-friend. His partner, Sheriff Curtis Mooney (John Vernon), does not give credit to the youngsters' words, but Mike goes with Dave to the spot. Soon Mike learns that Dave and Debbie are telling the truth and they decide to protect Debbie. However she has been abducted by the clowns and they team-up with the owners of an ice-cream truck, Rich Terenzi (Michael Siegel) and Paul Terenzi (Peter Licassi) to rescue Debbie from the killer clowns.

    "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" is a funny, silly and original cult film that entwines comedy with terror and sci-fi. The bizarre idea of using clowns as alien killers is hilarious; their weapons, dog and spacecraft are very funny. The writer uses Peter Jackson's "Bad Taste" to give a motive for the clowns to come to Earth, i.e., using earthlings as food. My vote is six.

    Title (Brazil): "Palhaços Assassinos" ("Killer Clowns")
    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.
    7GiraffeDoor

    krazy stuff

    Across one night we have a barrage of captivating visual gags that merge humor with the grotesqueire so what better figures to carry them off than clowns?

    They look fantastic, which is to say, horrific, but in the good way. Characters briefly discuss how these extra-terrestrials may have inspired human circus imagery thousands of years ago and that's all the explanation you'll get.

    The movie never coasts on these villians, there's always a new idea to make it seem even more uncomfortable (watch out for the popcorn).

    A movie that really deserves its cult following though I do not like some people's interpretation of the end.

    It gets a little...rule34 before the end.

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    Related interests

    Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black (1997)
    Alien Invasion
    Bridget Hoffman in The Evil Dead (1981)
    B-Horror
    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
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    Monster Horror
    Bill Pullman, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga, and Lorene Yarnell Jansson in Spaceballs (1987)
    Parody
    Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    Space Sci-Fi
    Daveigh Chase in The Ring (2002)
    Supernatural Horror
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
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    Sci-Fi

    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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    FAQ20

    • How long is Killer Klowns from Outer Space?Powered by Alexa
    • 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

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

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28m(88 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1(original ratio, open matte)

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