Since its release in 1987, The Monster Squad has steadily become a horror classic. Writers Fred Dekker and Shane Black, inspired by their love of the Universal Classic Monsters, set out to make a Spielberg-like kid version of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The resulting film is a perfect blend of comedy, horror, and adventure with that unmistakable ’80s flair.
A group of pre-teen misfits — Sean (Andre Gower), Patrick (Robby Kiger), and Horace (Brent Chalem) — bond over their shared love of horror movies. Rudy (Ryan Lambert), a cool junior high kid with a ’50s greaser vibe, also joins the crew. Sean’s little sister, Phoebe (Ashley Bank), desperately wants in, but it’s boys only… mostly. Sometimes Eugene (Michael Faustino), who’s probably only a smidge older than Phoebe, gets to tag along.
Their encyclopedic horror knowledge comes in clutch when monsters invade their town, searching for a powerful artifact. Club leader Sean stumbles upon the diary of legendary monster hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing (Jack Gwillim). With the help of the neighborhood’s Scary German Guy (Leonardo Cimino), the team translates the diary and learns about an ancient amulet.
Scary German Guy, who turns out to be a kind soul, reveals he “has some experience with monsters.” We then see the chilling truth: a number tattooed on his arm, marking him as a Holocaust survivor. Heavy stuff for a kids’ movie, right? It’s never directly addressed, leaving the audience to grapple with it.
Count Dracula (Duncan Regehr) is dead-set on snagging the amulet, believing it’ll grant him world domination (as villains are wont to do). He assembles a monster dream team: the Wolfman (Jon Gries/Carl Thibault), the Mummy (Michael Reid MacKay), Frankenstein’s Monster (Tom Noonan), and the Gillman (Tom Woodruff Jr.), clearly inspired by Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Regehr’s Dracula is legendary for a reason. He plays the Count as genuinely menacing, ditching the usual sexualized or charismatic tropes. Tom Noonan’s Frankenstein’s Monster taps into the character’s more innocent side. His sweet connection with Phoebe is what finally gets her into the boys’ club. These two are the only monsters with real personality; the others just follow orders. The Mummy’s purpose is… unclear, but he definitely looks scary.
The Monster Squad might not scream “high production value,” but its special effects are its superpower. The monsters look incredible thanks to the Stan Winston Studio and its team of artists. Since Universal wouldn’t license their monsters, the art department had to create creatures that resembled the classics without being direct copies.
Like many cult classics, The Monster Squad flopped in theaters, likely due to lackluster marketing. Opening just two weeks after The Lost Boys certainly didn’t help! Plus, the PG-13 rating made it confusing—was it a kids’ movie or not? It took years for the film to find its audience. Cable television and VHS rentals helped it reach more viewers, and the resurgence is all thanks to its diehard fans who campaigned for a DVD release.
Some elements haven’t aged well. It’s not Revenge of the Nerds-level problematic, but there are some homophobic slurs, slut-shaming, and fat-shaming moments, which, sadly, isn’t shocking for an ’80s flick. Prepare to cringe, but don’t let it kill the fun. Just don’t expect it to pass the Bechdel or DuVernay test. The sole Black character, Detective Sapir (Stan Shaw), is mainly there for Sean’s dad, Del (Stephen Macht), to have someone to talk to besides his family.
Lisa Fuller, as the teenage girl who actually has scenes, is simply credited as “Patrick’s Sister.” The pivotal Scary German Guy never gets a real name. But seen through a kid’s eyes, do names really matter? You call people what you call them, especially your friends’ siblings.
There are logical leaps galore (which the filmmakers acknowledge). Why does the Mummy randomly chill in a closet only to leave without doing anything? Where did the Desperate Man (aka the werewolf) come from? How did he get bitten? Why is Dracula tossing dynamite when he has supernatural powers? So many questions, so few answers. But do we need them? Not really. Horror demands a suspension of disbelief, and this movie definitely requires it.
The Monster Squad isn’t perfect, but it’s pure, nostalgic fun. It makes me long for a time I didn’t even experience, which is quite an achievement. If you can watch this 1987 gem without a hyper-critical 2024 lens, you’re in for a treat. And remember, don’t overthink the plot. Laugh at the absurdity – it’s part of the magic.
The Monster Squad is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and YouTube (for free!).
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Cassondra Feltus
Cassondra Feltus is a St. Louis-based freelance writer known for her incisive film, television, and pop culture analysis. Her work has appeared on BlkCosmo Blerds, WatchMojo, and The Take. She loves naps, Paul Rudd, and binge-watching the latest series with her two gorgeous pups – Harry and DeVito.
