Pumpkinhead (1988)

56% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(18,199 ratings)

A bereaved farmer enlists the aid of a terrifying demon to help avenge his son's death in this stylish horror movie that contains a strong moral. It all begins as gentle widowed farmer/general store owner Ed's beloved 10-year-old son is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident with an careless… More A bereaved farmer enlists the aid of a terrifying demon to help avenge his son's death in this stylish horror movie that contains a strong moral. It all begins as gentle widowed farmer/general store owner Ed's beloved 10-year-old son is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident with an careless unknown motorcyclist. Ed nearly goes berserk with grief and to bring back his son heads to the cabin of a wise old witch to see if she can rejuvenate the youth. Unfortunately, it is beyond her considerable powers so Ed, now equally desperate for revenge, invokes the legendary Pumpkinhead, a terrifying demon with the power to make the biker pay. One by one, Pumpkinhead dispatches the terrified cyclist and his friends, leaving Ed to reconsider his rashness. He tries to call the demon back, but by then it is far too late.... The film is the directorial debut of Oscar-winning special effects wizard Stan Winston. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Stan Winston
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Oct 14, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Aug 1, 2000
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Typically hollow and patchy, the script is low par for the course, the acting close behind.
Johnny Butane, Dread Central
MGM has done a great service to Pumpkinhead and its fans with this new Collector's Edition DVD and you'd be a fool to overlook this.
Bill Gibron, Filmcritic.com
horrific, and quite honorable
, Film4
It's all done in such a dislocated, hectic style that it's sometimes difficult to tell what's happening.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Winston has a strong visual sense and a surprisingly good feel for character development.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Film Threat
In spite of being almost twenty years old, this monster movie is still harrowing, creepy, and better than modern horror fare.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Delivers more than ample amounts of full-bodied fantasy.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Great creature, primo Henriksen...Gotta love it.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Creepy, unusual horror film.
Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
A routine horror film.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Satisfying B-movie fun from effects maestro Stan Winston.
Ed Gonzalez, Apollo Guide
Nothing can appease Ed when he discovers the tragedy, including the apologetic pleas of one of the teenagers.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Great effects, acceptable acting.
Dean !

An ok creature slasher, made better due to being directed by Stan Winston and B-movie horror star Lance Henriksen. This feels like it's an even older film, surprised it was made in '88! The creature design, costume is pretty cool as you would expect in a Stan Winston film.… More
An ok creature slasher, made better due to being directed by Stan Winston and B-movie horror star Lance Henriksen. This feels like it's an even older film, surprised it was made in '88! The creature design, costume is pretty cool as you would expect in a Stan Winston film. It looks like it owes a lot to the Alien creature design. The creature is played by the same guy used for the first two Predator films, Kevin Peter Hall. This has spawned 3 more sequels since, two made in the last 4 years. The 4th stars Lance Henriksen again! Worth checking out for old skool horror fans!
Jeff "

Stan Winston has pioneered some of the greatest special effects in cinema. His resume of work is very, very impressive. So when I found out he had directed a film, a horror film to be more precise, I just had to see it. Well Pumpkinhead is one creepy film with obviously some great… More
Stan Winston has pioneered some of the greatest special effects in cinema. His resume of work is very, very impressive. So when I found out he had directed a film, a horror film to be more precise, I just had to see it. Well Pumpkinhead is one creepy film with obviously some great special effects. The film has a very old school vibe to it, like I'm talking about 1930-1950's monster films, which add something special to the already solid film that Winston has delivered. The atmosphere is dark, evil, and melancholic as the Pumpkinhead wreaks havoc on a group a teens that murdered Lance Henriksen son, a solid horror film with blazing originality, Pumpkinhead is a must watch.
Tim S

Bizarre Stan Winston classic.
Phil H

Saw this along time ago, its very basic and formulaic but the two things that save it are the creature, designed by Stan Winston the genius and Henriksen. Apart from that its just an average boogieman thriller.
Jason S

A pretty good monster flick. The sequels got progressively worse but this one still stands up.
Curtis L

Lance Hendriksen is a fun hillybilly after revenge of his dead son who got run over by motorcycle man. Otherwise, the movie was kinda dumb.
Lafe F

I didn't like the monster, the setting, the characters or the story. The name is great, but it doesn't look like a Pumpkin. Sorry, I don't consider it to be a great horror flick.
Dr Blood

More a moral fable about two wrongs not making a right than anything else but well done all round with an outstanding performance by Lance Henriksen. It's a pity that none of the sequels have been as good.
Michael G

Good in a really low-budget way.
Jacob P

A good, descent 80's flick with a very creative creature.
Justin W

Always start with the good... the story progressed well, now for the bad... everything else. The characters were completely unbelievable in their actions regarding what was going on around them. I'm sorry, but if I see my friend being picked up by the head onto the roof of my… More
Always start with the good... the story progressed well, now for the bad... everything else. The characters were completely unbelievable in their actions regarding what was going on around them. I'm sorry, but if I see my friend being picked up by the head onto the roof of my cabin, I would not decide to go back and stay inside that very same cabin. I'll give it to them, the monster was pretty nicely designed for the time and it kept me entertained, but the moments that were meant to be scary were lost in the filmmaking by robbing the audience of actual scary moments by jerking the camera the wrong way as if trying to play off of using the audience's imagination instead of actual visuals. Sure the story progressed and got from point A to point B, but it moved at such a pace that it wasn't pleasing since every time you think you have a moment of actual character reflection, we're off running again to the next killing. A lack of pacing, awkward acting, and a predictable story is this films downfall but I will give the designer of the monster credit any day.
Marcus W

The legendary Stan Winston and the brilliant Lance Henriksen join up for this competent horror movie. Evidently, Winston was more than just an effects wizard, he was also capable of writing/directing too. The pacing and tension work well, it has layers and the production design is… More
The legendary Stan Winston and the brilliant Lance Henriksen join up for this competent horror movie. Evidently, Winston was more than just an effects wizard, he was also capable of writing/directing too. The pacing and tension work well, it has layers and the production design is fucking gorgeous - especially the pumpkin patch. Pumpkinhead himself is one cool monster, and apart from a slip near the end where the film slows down this is way better than any Halloween/FT13th.
Grifty G

I give it points for being somewhat original in the horror genre, and having good creature effects. And you've got Lance Hendriksen too. But let's not forget, it's still a cheesy 80s low budget horror movie with some goofy writing, editing, and atrocious music.
Nicky M

Backwoods vengeance sets up this tale of morality. Lance Henriksen shines as the father who wants revenge for the death of his son but then balks at the cost. Features a great "witch" and superb man in a suit effects. Great, laughable name of the demon only adds to the fun… More
Backwoods vengeance sets up this tale of morality. Lance Henriksen shines as the father who wants revenge for the death of his son but then balks at the cost. Features a great "witch" and superb man in a suit effects. Great, laughable name of the demon only adds to the fun of this overall great B-movie from the 80's.
Anthony V

An 80's horror classic.
Christopher B

Great little revenge/monster flick with an awesome performance by the great Henriksen. Might get around to watching the sequels someday.
Barry L

A watchable film if a little daft.
Eduardo C

A missed opportunity. Pretty lighting and photography can't quite redeem this poorly directed flick. Despite its interesting mythology, setting and a great performance by Lance Henriksen (as well as a truly great looking creature, interestingly enough not made by Stan Winston,… More
A missed opportunity. Pretty lighting and photography can't quite redeem this poorly directed flick. Despite its interesting mythology, setting and a great performance by Lance Henriksen (as well as a truly great looking creature, interestingly enough not made by Stan Winston, but I guess when you work for the man you give him the best or he smacks you with his 4 Oscars) the film falls flat, as it is far more interested in being a dead-teenager, slasher type outing. The kids are horribly written, horribly cast and obviously disposable. The ending is obvious, and certainly never reaches the poetic highs it aspired to. It's a shame, because the film had potential. In the hands of a better director, and with a rewrite or two, it could have been a classic.
Leo L

Loved this film when I was a kid. A favorite.