On some level, whether it be a crippling fear or simply a hint of uncomfortableness, I think everyone was afraid of clowns growing up. I mean, let’s be honest, no one is ever THAT happy. And didn’t you always wonder how they all fit into that tiny car! But in all seriousness, Killer Klowns From Outer Space toed the line between being a comedy, being outright stupid at times, and being flat out creepy. Re-watching the movie as an adult, it’s easy to laugh off most of the gimmicks in this film, but as a kid, some of these images stayed with for a long time. I mean….who remembers this guy calling the little girl out.

And who didn’t check the toilet everytime they went after seeing this!

Don’t worry, there will be more Klown photos later. In case you haven’t seen the movie, you can probably guess the story based on the title. It’s a bunch of clowns, who kill people, who disguise their space ship as a circus tent. After an old man stumbles upon them, the klowns are released into the city, killing people in all kinds of ways. They have cotton candy cocoon guns, homing popcorn that grows into monsters when it hits water, and pies that are made of acid, amongst other fun toys.

There is a solid 20 minute montage of the various klowns reeking havoc across the city. Some of my favorites include the fast food klown already shown, the shadow dinosaur puppet that grabs a group of passengers waiting at a bus stop, and the klown who rides the invisible motorcycle, ramming someone off of the road.

Ok time for more klowns.

Ahh!

Seriously?!

Eventually, the main characters have to track down their friend who was taken to the spaceship in a balloon. Along the way, they have to find their way through a parade, yes a parade, of all of these klowns. Can you imagine anything scarier than trying to dodge the ever watching eye of these terrifying beasts?! Me neither.

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m having some fun with this article, because at the core, this movie is a lot of fun. As I’ve said, the movie loses much of its intended scary affect when seen through the eyes of an adult. However, through the eyes of a child, some of these shots will stay with you. Trust me, I know.

The movie ends with the main kids confronting the alpha clown (there’s a phrase I’d never thought I’d use). To be honest, it’s a bit anti-climatic, but it’s not like the movie was Oscar-worthy before it. In fact, the ridiculousness of the ending is right in line with the rest of the movie. You ready for the mother of all Killer Klowns…

While Killer Klowns From Outer Space was actually one of my favorite movies growing up, it clearly left a toll on me in perhaps not the best way. I’ve never been one to fear clowns, but I was a bit more cautious after watching this film dozens of times in my childhood. In all seriousness though, the military should look into some of these weapons. Wouldn’t a cotton candy cocoon gun come in handy in a pinch?

Did you love or hate Killer Klowns From Outer Space when you were a kid? Let us know in the comments!