Photo submitted by Derek Warren

“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” was originally released in 1988 and is best described as a science fiction horror comedy. It was far from a box office smash, but those of us who grew up in the ’80s remember seeing it on TV at some point and whether it terrified us or made us laugh, it left a lasting impression. This impression is what carried the film into the cult status it now has.

The film takes place in the town of Crescent Cove, California, where farmer Gene Green sees a comet-like object fall to Earth. Believing it to be Halley’s Comet, he goes to find it, coming across a large circus tent-like structure.

He is at first amused by the sight, but he and his dog are quickly captured by mysterious clown-like creatures. Meanwhile, Mike and his girlfriend, Debbie, also saw the comet. Debbie convinces Mike to follow it.

Coming across the same structure, they enter it and find a room with cotton candy-shaped cocoons and discover the old man and a friend’s remains in the cocoons. They panic and are nearly captured by the alien clowns who coat them with a popcorn gun as they escape before giving chase.

Mike and Debbie narrowly escape and go straight to the police station to confide in ex-boyfriend Dave Hanson and his skeptical, cranky partner Curtis, about the killer clowns from outer space. The pair think it’s a hoax and drop Debbie off at her home and investigate the site to find the ship missing.

They come across a group of cars on the make-out hill and Dave finds the place destroyed along with several cars filled with the cotton candy-like substance, and finally believes Mike and Debbie. They decide to stop these killer clowns.

The clowns are having too much fun tormenting and killing townspeople in a variety of ways. Clowns deliver pizzas, knock off drugstores and people’s heads along the way.

While there is violence throughout the film, it is handled in a more cartoon manner than gore violence. Although people suffering from coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, will be petrified throughout.

Despite the outlandish plot and offbeat comedy, this is a film that works and holds up well against the passage of time. So much so that rumors still persists that there is a long-coming sequel for this film. A 2016 release date may happen.

“Killer Klowns” is a hard PG-13 but is fun to watch for everyone who enjoys a good laugh with their horror films.