Ghoulies

PG-13

Released Jan 18, 1985

1h 24m

Horror

List

7%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

20%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

As a child, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) was almost killed by his father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang (Jack Nance), who has kept him unaware of his background, Jonathan inherits Malcolm's house and moves in with girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan). During a party, he jokingly performs a ceremony described in one of his father's books on black magic, not realizing he has unleashed small, demonic creatures known as "Ghoulies."

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This is the sort of movie where you can sense the puppeteers poised just outside of the camera’s eye.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 16, 2023

Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefans

sbs.is

There are much better haunted mansion films, many also produced by Charles Band, but Ghoulies has a charm of its own. It's a fun B-movie through and through with plenty of satanism and devilish creatures.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 13, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

With Charles Band serving as executive producer, the film never had much of a chance to transcend the cheesy, B-movie vibe that permeates most of his projects.

Rated: 2/10

Sep 6, 2020

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Cheesy, low-budget '80s horror film has violence, cursing.

Rated: 1/5

Aug 7, 2018

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Mariska Hargitay makes an inauspicious feature film debut in this trashy little horror picture.

Rated: D

Sep 4, 2017

Full Review

Austin Kennedy

Film Geek Central

I can enjoy a bad cheesy B-movie, but there has to be a sense of charm, and GHOULIES has none whatsoever!

Rated: 0/4

Jan 19, 2013

Full Review

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B P

Ghoulies is perhaps best known for being the film that got flamed by parents because the poster features a ghoulie popping out of the toilet… scaring the crap out of kids to the point many wouldn't even go to the bathroom. As one of those kids, I can attest to the efficacy of that marketing. While it's hardly much of a fright, Ghoulies does possess a charm that isn't purely nostalgic.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/30/23

Full Review

Ethan G

Silly and stupid, this is a Gremlins rip off not worth watching.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

Steve D

I didn't expect Shakespeare but I also didn't think in would be this dull.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

Full Review

Michael C

Garbage. That's all that needs to be said about this horrible film. If you wish to see a twenty one year-old pre "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" Mariska Hargitay then I would recommend you give the movie a look. Otherwise, do not bother. "Ghoulies" is nothing short of terrible. And people think "Manos: The Hands of Fate" is terrible!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

Nolan L

Underrated needs more love

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/17/23

Full Review

Jackie S

Very cool story I recommend it

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/23

Full Review

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Luca Bercovici

Director

Peter Liapis

Jonathan Graves

Lisa Pelikan

Rebecca

Michael Des Barres

Malcolm Graves

Jack Nance

Wolfgang

Peter D. Risch

Grizzel

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Ghoulies: Official Clip - Jonathan Raises His Father

2:12

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Testing Grizzel and Greedigut

2:13

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Human Sacrifice

2:12

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Ghoulie Clown Attacks

1:11

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Ghoulies in Disguise

0:39

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Wolfgang's Magical Showdown

2:11

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Controlling Rebecca

2:07

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Summoning the Ghoulies

2:12

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Giant Tongue

2:12

Ghoulies: Official Clip - Ghoulies Dinner Party

2:12

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Synopsis

As a child, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) was almost killed by his father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang (Jack Nance), who has kept him unaware of his background, Jonathan inherits Malcolm's house and moves in with girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan). During a party, he jokingly performs a ceremony described in one of his father's books on black magic, not realizing he has unleashed small, demonic creatures known as "Ghoulies."

Director: Luca Bercovici
Screenwriter: Luca Bercovici, Jefery Levy
Production Co: Empire Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 1985, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 24m

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