Killer Klowns from Outer Space
A pair of young outsiders races to stop an invasion of murderous extraterrestrial clowns before their small town becomes a cosmic circus.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- witty
- irreverent
- cult movie night
- halloween party
What critics said
Critics generally find the film more successful as vividly designed, imaginative, darkly goofy cult entertainment than as genuinely frightening or tightly plotted horror.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The alien killers, clown imagery, and circus-themed attacks turn invasion horror into sustained comic spectacle.
Clown costumes, shadow puppets, cotton-candy cocoons, and other carnival motifs structure the film's practical-effects world.
Mike, Debbie, and their allies recognize the invasion while townspeople and local authority figures fail to take them seriously.
Its singular killer-clown premise, vivid practical effects, and campy execution have sustained a long-running cult reputation.
Films like Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and why
Critters
Shares campy alien invasion, inventive creature designs, and playful horror comedy.
The Blob
Combines outrageous extraterrestrial menace with colorful 1980s genre comedy and practical-effects spectacle.
Night of the Creeps
Features a small-town alien threat, irreverent humor, and knowingly excessive science fiction horror.
The Return of the Living Dead
Matches the bright, absurd, practical-effects-driven tone of cult science fiction horror.
Movie Details
- Director
- Stephen Chiodo
- Release Date
- 1988-05-27
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1223)
Cast
- Grant Cramer
- Suzanne Snyder
- John Allen Nelson
- John Vernon
- Royal Dano
- Christopher Titus
- Michael S. Siegel
- Peter Licassi
- Irene Michaels
- Karla Sue Krull
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Killer Klowns from Outer Space about?
- A pair of young outsiders races to stop an invasion of murderous extraterrestrial clowns before their small town becomes a cosmic circus.
- What is Killer Klowns from Outer Space like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Killer Klowns from Outer Space as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Killer Klowns from Outer Space violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Killer Klowns from Outer Space as moderate.
- What did critics think of Killer Klowns from Outer Space?
- Critics generally find the film more successful as vividly designed, imaginative, darkly goofy cult entertainment than as genuinely frightening or tightly plotted horror.
- Which films are like Killer Klowns from Outer Space?
- Films with a similar feel include Critters, The Blob, Night of the Creeps, and The Return of the Living Dead.
- How long is Killer Klowns from Outer Space?
- Killer Klowns from Outer Space runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch Killer Klowns from Outer Space?
- In United States, Killer Klowns from Outer Space streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
