Entertainment
Forget Chucky: The Real Creepiest Killer Doll Movie Of The ‘80s Is Now Streaming Free
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Charles Lee Ray (better known as Chucky) really has a stranglehold on one of the craziest genres in film history: the killer doll movie. Whenever people imagine murderous toys, they imagine the Child’s Play films that first brought Chucky to life. Since the success of those earlier outings, the Chuckster has headlined several sequels and even three seasons of the delightfully chaotic TV show, Chucky.
However, there’s more to killer dolls than Chucky, and there’s an entire world of evil doll movies out there for you to discover. The best alternative to Child’s Play is Puppet Master (1989), a late ‘80s shlock horror classic that inspired decades of sequels, prequels, and spinoffs. To discover the film that started an unlikely franchise, all you have to do is stream the first Puppet Master movie for free on Tubi!
Never Too Old To Play With Toys
The plot of Puppet Master begins when a brilliant man who has learned to bring puppets to life is killed by Nazis. Half a century later, a group of psychics is summoned to the same inn where the deceased genius hid his puppets. The man who summoned them is dead, and they want to learn his secrets; however, they are running out of time, because it doesn’t take long before evil puppets are picking them off, one by one!
The cast of Puppet Master includes Paul Le Mat (best known for American Graffiti) as a professor who can see the future in his dreams. The film also stars William Hickey (best known for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation) as the man who originally created these fascinating puppets. Finally, Jimmy F. Skaggs (best known for Lethal Weapon) plays the titular puppet master, using these terrifying toys to wreak havoc among his so-called friends.
Thrills, Kills, And Drills
Puppet Master was made on a relatively shoestring budget of $400,000, which is astounding when you consider how great this film (especially the puppets) looks. It was released direct-to-video, where it soon became a cult classic among horror fans who were looking for something new to scream about. Afterward, the franchise ascended to new bloody heights with five sequels, five prequels, two spinoffs, one reboot, and an unforgettably bonkers crossover film with the Demonic Toys franchise.
When Puppet Master premiered, it weirded out reviewers in all the wrong ways. It has a 40 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics complaining about the complex plot, odd pacing, and strangely serious tone. However, even the film’s biggest critics noted that the puppet effects are absolutely awesome throughout, making this a great movie for anyone hoping to see these killer dolls dispatching humans in bloody and hilariously inventive ways.
Sex And Violence (The Two Major Food Groups)
Personally, I think the critics are being way too harsh on Puppet Master. Admittedly, the movie’s plot probably is a bit too complex, especially when we’re all here to see a bunch of creepy killer dolls do their thing. At the same time, so many horror movies are completely mindless and have almost no plot whatsoever, so I don’t think it’s worth holding it against this quirky classic that it gives us too much story.
Aside from the focus on killer dollars, Puppet Master also shares something in common with Child’s Play: great practical effects make the whole thing worth it. Even if this tangled tale of killer psychics doesn’t tickle your fancy, you’ll be on the edge of your seat once the titular puppets start turning everyone into mincemeat. By the time it’s over, there are buckets of blood courtesy of some truly iconic ‘80s monsters, and that makes the whole thing worth the price of admission.
A Guilty Pleasure (No Strings Attached)
Finally, while the franchise admittedly goes off the rails over time, the very fact that this first movie inspired so many sequels and prequels is proof of just how entertaining Puppet Master really is. It’s a movie that terrified the imagination of audiences in the world by showing them fear as they had never seen it before. That fear is still very real, and you are very likely to see these murderous puppets in your nightmares shortly after you watch this legendary horror movie.
Is Puppet Master a cult classic creepshow that will haunt your dreams forever, or is this one killer toy movie that will have you wanting to put away childish things? The only way to know for sure is to stream it for free on Tubi and experience these pint-sized terrors for yourself. Trust me: by the time the credits roll, you’ll never look at a drill the same way ever again!
