Ghoulies

The Ghoulies films were a Gremlins-like American horror-comedy film series in the 1980s and 1990s centered around a group of evil little demons usually summoned by Satanic worshipers. The Ghoulies films are thought to be Gremlins rip-offs, but Ghoulies actually started development before Gremlins. Perhaps coincidentally, Ghoulies (spelled goolies) is also a British slang term for Testicles.

Films

Ghoulies

The original Ghoulies (released in 1985) originated in 1983 under the title Beasties. It was to be directed by Charles Band, with special effects by Stan Winston (the two had previously collaborated on Parasite). It ended up being directed by Luca Bercovici with special effects by John Carl Buechler and his company Mechanical and Makeup Imageries Inc. The film was released theatrically by Empire Pictures in March 1985 and was a surprise success on home video. Ghoulies also starred a young Mariska Hargitay, who went on to win an Emmy for her performance on Law and Order Special Victims Unit.

Ghoulies II

The first sequel was released in 1987 and sees the titular Ghoulies descend upon a carnival. Again produced by Empire Pictures, the film was directed by Charles Band's father Albert Band. Ghoulies and Ghoulies II were released as a double feature DVD from MGM Home Entertainment in 2003. Special features include theatrical trailers.

Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go To College

The third film saw Buechler step into the director's chair and was released straight-to-video in 1991. The film co-starred genre stalwart Kevin McCarthy and is the first film where the Ghoulies actually speak. It is the only film in the series that has not been released on DVD in the United States.

Ghoulies IV

The series fourth entry was directed by Jim Wynorski and made by Cinetel Films and also released straight-to-video in 1994 by Columbia TriStar Home Video. Original Ghoulies lead Peter Liapis returned to the series as Jonathan Graves, now a detective who must deal with a new set of Ghoulies. Ghoulies IV was released on DVD in 2007 by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment.