The 1980s were filled with coming-of-age stories about kids setting off on some grand adventure to learn lessons about life, love, and friendship. Explorers, Adventures in Babysitting, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial are prime examples of movies that featured a plethora of young people placed in wild situations, as is The Goonies; Richard Donner’s fabulous 1985 action adventure movie that’s still a beloved classic. However, there is one movie that some folks say is even better than all of them, and it’s now streaming on Prime Video.
Released in 1987, the film in question was a box office bomb that failed to earn back even half its budget. It features a group of kids trying to save the world from a gang of familiar monsters who have united to bring death and destruction. Despite its box office shortcomings, it managed to eventually find its audience thanks to home video, and amass a loyal cult following over the years who swear it’s one of the best films ever made. Even better than The Goonies.
If you haven’t guessed by now, we’re talking about The Monster Squad, the 1987 horror comedy directed by Fred Dekker, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Shane Black. Featuring a patchwork of classic Universal Monsters, including Count Dracula (who was almost played by Liam Neeson), The Monster Squad has become one of those movies that’s the perfect blend of 80s nostalgia, coming-of-age drama, and good old-fashioned monster fun for the whole family that never disappoints, no matter how many times you watch it. Starring the likes of Andre Gower, Stephen Macht, Tom Noonan, Tom Woodruff Jr., and Duncan Regehr, the synopsis reads:
“A group of monster-obsessed kids discover that Count Dracula has come to their small town, gathering a team of classic monsters to take over the world. When the kids learn that an ancient amulet holds the key to stopping him, they form The Monster Squad to fight back. Armed with homemade weapons, monster trivia, and pure courage, the group must face real danger as fantasy becomes reality.”
‘The Monster Squad’ Is Still Fun Nearly 40 years Later
While some have questioned whether The Monster Squad still holds up today thanks to its off-color humor that was commonplace in the 1980s, there’s little doubt that it’s managed to stand the test of time. People still gather at conventions to celebrate their love for the movie, cosplaying its various monsters and sharing stories about how much it’s meant to them.
One only has to look at the phenomenal 2018 documentary, Wolfman’s Got Nards, to realize that The Monster Squad isn’t just an ordinary film, but a movie that encapsulates the childhoods of an entire generation. That alone makes it still a fun watch today, no matter the time of year. Yes, it may feel dated to some, but underneath its imperfections is a movie packed with heart, laughter, and amazing practical effects that features timeless themes of good triumphing over evil, friendship, bravery, and strength.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing The Monster Squad before, or perhaps just want to give it another watch for a healthy dose of nostalgia, you can catch it streaming now on Prime Video.
- Release Date
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August 14, 1987
- Runtime
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79 minutes
