Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- witty
- irreverent
- nostalgic
- family movie night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics generally find it a fun, energetic 1980s monster adventure with affectionate genre knowledge and scrappy charm, though its tonal shifts and violence divide opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dracula recruits the mummy, Wolfman, Frankenstein, and a sea monster in a unified threat.
Sean, Patrick, and their fellow outcasts are dismissed by peers yet organize the counterstrike against Dracula.
The film's iconic creatures are presented through tangible horror makeup and rubber monster designs characteristic of its 1980s production.
The film centers child heroes and comic banter while retaining Dracula, undead monsters, peril, and unsettling imagery.
Films like The Monster Squad, and why
The Goonies
shared tween adventure, comedy horror, classic monsters, and affectionate genre homage
The Lost Boys
shared child protagonists, supernatural danger, 1980s atmosphere, and coming-of-age adventure
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
shared comedic crossover of young heroes with iconic Universal-style monsters
Gremlins
shared family-oriented monster adventure, scrappy practical effects, and playful supernatural peril
Movie Details
- Director
- Fred Dekker
- Release Date
- 1987-08-14
- Runtime
- 82 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (669)
Cast
- André Gower
- Robby Kiger
- Stephen Macht
- Duncan Regehr
- Tom Noonan
- Brent Chalem
- Ryan Lambert
- Ashley Bank
- Michael Faustino
- Mary Ellen Trainor
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Monster Squad about?
- A gang of underestimated horror-loving kids wages a scrappy supernatural battle when Dracula assembles classic monsters to conquer the world.
- What is The Monster Squad like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Monster Squad as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Monster Squad violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Monster Squad as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Monster Squad?
- Critics generally find it a fun, energetic 1980s monster adventure with affectionate genre knowledge and scrappy charm, though its tonal shifts and violence divide opinion.
- Which films are like The Monster Squad?
- Films with a similar feel include The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and Gremlins.
- How long is The Monster Squad?
- The Monster Squad runs 82 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Monster Squad?
- In United States, The Monster Squad streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
