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Child's Play

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
106K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,521
297
Brad Dourif and Dinah Manoff in Child's Play (1988)
A single mother gives her son a much sought-after doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed by the soul of a serial killer.
Play trailer2:02
9 Videos
99+ Photos
HorrorThriller
A single mother gives her son a much sought-after doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed by the soul of a serial killer.A single mother gives her son a much sought-after doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed by the soul of a serial killer.A single mother gives her son a much sought-after doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed by the soul of a serial killer.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
106K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,521
297
    • Tom Holland
    • Don Mancini(story by)
    • John Lafia(screenplay by)
    • Tom Holland(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Catherine Hicks
    • Chris Sarandon
    • Alex Vincent
    • Tom Holland
    • Don Mancini(story by)
    • John Lafia(screenplay by)
    • Tom Holland(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Catherine Hicks
    • Chris Sarandon
    • Alex Vincent
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 428User reviews
    • 136Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos9

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:02
    Watch Official Trailer
    Child's Play
    Trailer 2:07
    Watch Child's Play
    IMDbrief: Candyman, Chucky, & More Horror Reboots Coming for You
    Clip 2:38
    Watch IMDbrief: Candyman, Chucky, & More Horror Reboots Coming for You
    IMDbrief: Best Halloween Screams to Stream
    Clip 2:14
    Watch IMDbrief: Best Halloween Screams to Stream
    Best 'Child's Play' Movie? Brian Tyree Henry Answers Your Questions
    Interview 2:49
    Watch Best 'Child's Play' Movie? Brian Tyree Henry Answers Your Questions
    This New Chucky Doll Will Make You Cry?
    Interview 2:26
    Watch This New Chucky Doll Will Make You Cry?
    What Horror Movies Terrified You as a Kid?
    Full Episode 3:18
    Watch What Horror Movies Terrified You as a Kid?
    Halloween Costume Creations
    Video 1:50
    Watch Halloween Costume Creations
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Nov. 9, 1988 - Chucky Is "Born"
    Video 2:14
    Watch Dates in Movie & TV History: Nov. 9, 1988 - Chucky Is "Born"

    Photos255

    Catherine Hicks in Child's Play (1988)
    Chris Sarandon, Catherine Hicks, and Alex Vincent in Child's Play (1988)
    Catherine Hicks and Alex Vincent in Child's Play (1988)
    Alex Vincent in Child's Play (1988)
    Child's Play (1988)
    Alex Vincent in Child's Play (1988)
    Child's Play (1988)
    Child's Play (1988)
    Alex Vincent in Child's Play (1988)
    Child's Play (1988)
    Child's Play (1988)
    Catherine Hicks in Child's Play (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Catherine Hicks
    Catherine Hicks
    • Karen Barclay
    Chris Sarandon
    Chris Sarandon
    • Mike Norris
    Alex Vincent
    Alex Vincent
    • Andy Barclay
    Brad Dourif
    Brad Dourif
    • Charles Lee Ray
    • (voice)
    • …
    Dinah Manoff
    Dinah Manoff
    • Maggie Peterson
    Tommy Swerdlow
    Tommy Swerdlow
    • Jack Santos
    Jack Colvin
    Jack Colvin
    • Dr. Ardmore
    Neil Giuntoli
    Neil Giuntoli
    • Eddie Caputo
    Juan Ramírez
    • Peddler
    Alan Wilder
    Alan Wilder
    • Mr. Criswell
    Richard Baird
    • News Reporter at Toy Store
    Ray Oliver
    • Dr. Death
    • (as Raymond Oliver)
    Aaron Osborne
    Aaron Osborne
    • Orderly
    Tyler Hard
    • Mona
    Ted Liss
    • George
    Roslyn Alexander
    • Lucy
    Bo Kane
    Bo Kane
    • Male TV Newscaster
    • (as Robert Kane)
    Leila Lee Olsen
    • Female TV Newscaster
    • (as Leila Hee Olsen)
      • Tom Holland
      • Don Mancini(story by) (screenplay by)
      • John Lafia(screenplay by)
      • Tom Holland(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Chucky

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Chucky's full name, Charles Lee Ray, is derived from the names of notorious killers Charles Manson, Lee Harvey Oswald (assassin of John F. Kennedy) and James Earl Ray (assassin of Martin Luther King).
    • Goofs
      Near the end of the movie, Chucky stabs the cop, Mike Norris, in the leg, and he falls and remains in the bedroom. Shortly after this, Chucky is shot several times by Karen, and his body parts are severed. This occurs in the living room and hallway. Mike Norris, still on the floor in the bedroom tells the backup cop who then arrives that Chuckie was shot and that his body is in pieces all over the place and to not touch any of them. It is impossible for Norris to know or to have seen any of this, as he was in the other room the entire time.
    • Quotes

      Karen Barclay: [she grabs Chucky] Talk to me.

      [pause]

      Karen Barclay: Come on, talk!

      [pause]

      Karen Barclay: I said, "talk to me", damn it!

      [Chucky gives no answer]

      Karen Barclay: All right! I'll make you talk!

      [Karen grabs Chucky, lights up her fireplace and holds Chucky near the fire]

      Karen Barclay: I SAID TALK TO ME, DAMN IT, OR ELSE I'M GONNA THROW YOU IN THE FIRE!

      [Chucky comes alive]

      Chucky: [screams] YOU STUPID BITCH, YOU FILTHY SLUT! I'LL TEACH YOU TO FUCK WITH ME!

      [Chucky attacks Karen]

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of the closing credits, the film's title logo is shown above the United Artists logo.
    • Alternate versions
      The 1999 DVD used 1994 variant of the United Artists logo to plaster the MGM/UA Communications Co. and United Artists logos.
    • Connections
      Edited into Curse of Chucky (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      CHUCKY'S ANIMATED THEME
      Written & Produced by Mike Piccirillo

    User reviews428

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Two Notable Aspects
    No need to echo consensus points on this outstanding horror movie production. My only gripe is with the recurring anti-climaxes that cheapen the original infernal effect. As a result, movie buffs are again shown that knowing when to stop can be as important as knowing how to start; at the same time, the horror flick certainly knows how to slam-bang start.

    To me, two themes in the script's subtext stand out. First, key to many ace horror flicks, such as The Thing (1951), and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), is not just the horror of the menace but the frustration in getting dis-believers to finally come around to confront the para-normal menace. Here, understandably, no one believes stories about an infernal kid's doll that's somehow alive. This, fortunately, adds to audience sense of engagement with Mom and little Andy as they're forced to grapple with the horror of the para-normal that no one else believes can be real.

    Second is the poignant portrayal of Mother Love as that natural bond confronting the infernal doll in its death dealings. Ironically, it's the distance between mother and son at the outset that drives young Andy into the arms of what seems a friendly doll that will then be his needed companion. Thus Mom in particular must learn a lesson about family ties that the doll ironically provides. Happily, the growing bond between them is developed in a non-sappy way that's unusual for most any kind of movie. And that is largely thanks to actors Hicks and Vincent, respectively. In fact, I'd be inclined to award them special Oscars for their moving performances, as though the snooty Oscars ever took note of little horror flicks.

    Anyway, these are two notable aspects of the screenplay neither of which has directly to do with the scary effects, but do merit mention. All in all, except for the anti-climaxes, the movie's superior of its kind, so catch up with it if you can.
    helpful•9
    1
    • dougdoepke
    • Mar 15, 2020

    The Deadliest Dolls in Movie History

    The Deadliest Dolls in Movie History

    M3GAN, Chucky, and more of the most terrifying toys you've ever seen on screen.
    See the gallery
    View image
    Photos

    FAQ3

    • What are the differences between the old BBFC 15 Version and the Uncut Version?
    • What other actors auditioned or dropped out?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 9, 1988 (United States)
      • United States
      • Official site
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Brewster Building Apartments - 2800 N. Pine Grove Avenue, Lake View, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • United Artists
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 27 minutes
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Atmos

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