Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Movie Details:
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi |
| Release date | May 27, 1988 |
| Running time | 1hr 28min |
| Age rating | PG-13 |
| Starring | Grant Cramer Suzanne Snyder John Allen Nelson Royal Dano John Vernon |
| Directed by | Stephen Chiodo |
| Written by | Charles Chiodo Stephen Chiodo |
| Produced by | Charles Chiodo Edward Chiodo Stephen Chiodo |
| Cinematography by | Alfred Taylor |
| Edited by | Christopher Roth |
| Music by | John Massari |
| Production Company | Chiodo Bros. |
| Distributor | Trans World Entertainment |
| Budget | $1.8 million |
Cast & Characters:
- Grant Cramer as Mike Tobacco
- Suzanne Snyder as Debbie Stone
- John Allen Nelson as Dave Hansen
- John Vernon as Curtis Mooney
- Michael S. Siegel as Rich Terenzi
- Peter Licassi as Paul Terenzi
- Royal Dano as Farmer Gene Green
- Charles Chiodo as Jojo the Klownzilla
- Christopher Titus as Bob McReed
- Claire Bartle as a young girl that is stalked by one of the klowns
Storyline:
When a small town is invaded by aliens from outer space who are capturing and killing the townspeople, no one takes them seriously. Why? The aliens all look like circus clowns, use weapons that look clown like, and all have painted on smiles. Only a few of the young people in the town realize the danger and of course no one believes them. Armed with an ice cream truck they try and rescue their friends.
About Movie:
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is an American science fiction comedy horror film written, directed, and produced by the Chiodo Brothers. The film stars Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, and John Vernon. It marks the Chiodo Brothers’ only directorial venture, and they also created the practical effects and makeup for the movie. The score was composed by John Massari.
Originally titled Killer Klowns, the phrase “from Outer Space” was added to avoid confusion with slasher films. Filming took place in Watsonville, California, and at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, utilizing practical effects like rubber suits.
One notable prop, the popcorn gun, which included a functioning compressor to shoot actual popcorn, was the most expensive item on set, costing $7,000 and taking six weeks to build.
Most vehicles used in the production were rentals and not meant to be damaged, but two were unintentionally harmed during filming. One car, meant to roll a short distance, accidentally drove off a bridge, and a Jeep, filled with the movie’s cotton candy cocoons, required $3,000 in repairs after the interior was damaged by solvent in the material.
Released on May 27, 1988, Killer Klowns from Outer Space received generally positive reviews and has since become a cult classic. Sequels have been stuck in development for years, with Stephen Chiodo expressing hopes in 2016 for either a trilogy or television series. In 2018, NBCUniversal’s Syfy announced talks to license the rights for potential sequels.
