Pumpkinhead
Original workPumpkinhead
by Ed Justin
OwnerMotion Picture Corporation of America
Years1988–present
Films and television
Film(s)Pumpkinhead (1988)
Television film(s)
Direct-to-videoPumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994)
Games
Video game(s)Bloodwings: Pumpkinhead's Revenge

Pumpkinhead is an American supernatural horror film series that began in 1988. Originally inspired by a poem by Ed Justin,[1] the series centers on the eponymous demon who attacks whomever it is summoned to destroy.

Films

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
Pumpkinhead October 14, 1988 Stan Winston Gary Gerani & Mark Patrick Carducci Stan Winston, Richard C. Weinman & Mark Patrick Carducci Bill Blake
Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings October 19, 1994 Jeff Burr Ivan Chachornia & Constantine Chachornia Brad Krevoy
Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes October 28, 2006 Jake West Jake West & Barbara Werner Brad Krevoy, Donald Kushner & Pierre Spengler
Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud February 10, 2007 Michael Hurst Michael Hurst

Pumpkinhead (1988)

Inspired by a poem by Ed Justin, the original film was released to theaters on October 14, 1988 and grossed over $4.3 million against a $3.5 million budget. The film stars Lance Henriksen, John D'Aquino, Jeff East, and Kerry Remsen.

As a child, Ed Harley witnesses a man be killed by a monster. In the present day, Harley's son Billy is killed by a group of teenagers. Ed contacts a witch named Haggis, first asking for the resurrection of Billy and then for revenge against the teens. Ed then retrieves a corpse so Haggis could complete the ritual that summons Pumpkinhead. Meanwhile, the teens contemplate what to do, but are interrupted by Pumpkinhead who terrorizes them throughout the night.

Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994)

A direct-to-video film that is very loosely connected to the others in the series. It was released on October 19, 1994. The film stars Andrew Robinson, Ami Dolenz, Soleil Moon Frye, and Roger Clinton Jr.

The film follows Sheriff Sean Braddock and his daughter Jenny coming to the town of Ferren Woods. An orphan who is the offspring of Pumpkinhead, Tommy, was killed thirty-five years ago in the town by a group of teens. In the present day, Jenny and a group of teens, including Denny, the son of Tommy's murderer Judge Dixon, inadvertently resurrect Tommy in the form of Pumpkinhead. Pumpkinhead then terrorizes the town, killing many of its inhabitants.

Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes (2006)

A TV film produced back-to-back with the fourth film was released on October 28, 2006. The film stars Lance Henrikson, Doug Bradley, and Lisa McAllister.

The townspeople are angered over the local mortician stealing and selling the organs of their loved ones and then dumping the corpses in a swamp, rather than cremating them. The townspeople have the old witch Haggis summon Pumpkinhead through the mummified body of Ed Harley, who was killed in the first film. Pumpkinhead returns and proceeds to go on his killing rampage murdering all those responsible for the desecration, while Doc Frasier hurries to murder those who summoned Pumpkinhead, which will effectively kill the demon in the process.

Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud (2007)

A TV film produced back-to-back with the third film was released on February 10, 2007. The film stars Bob Gunter, Amy Manson, and Lance Henriksen.

Two motorcycle riders are fleeing Pumpkinhead, coming to a log cabin and finding the summoner of Pumpkinhead. After the summoner is killed and Pumpkinhead vanishes, Ed Harley appears, warning of Pumpkinseed's curse. Following the real-life events of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, star-crossed lovers Judy Hatfield and Ricky McCoy are caught in the midst of their family's feud. After the death of Sarah McCoy, Ricky and the summoner Haggis resurrect Pumpkinhead to take revenge on the Hatfields.

Reboot

A reboot of the series is in the works[2] and was to be produced by Saw executive producer Peter Block.[3] Nate Atkins was set to write the script as a homage to the original film.[4] As of November 2021, the reboot is now made by Paramount Players with a script already written and news of who will direct to be announced "in the coming months".[5]

Cast

Character Pumpkinhead Pumpkinhead II
Blood Wings		 Pumpkinhead
Ashes to Ashes		 Pumpkinhead
Blood Feud
1988 1994 2006 2007
Pumpkinhead Tom Woodruff Jr. Mark McCracken Bob Gunter
Ed Harley Lance Henriksen Lance Henriksen
Haggis Florence Schauffer Lynne Verrall
Joel John D'Aquino
Chris Jeff East
Maggie Kerry Remsen
Kim Kimberly Ross
Christine Wallace Mayim Bialik
Mr. Wallace Buck Flower

Reception

Box office performance

Film Release date Box office gross Budget Reference
North America Other territories Worldwide
Pumpkinhead October 14, 1988 $4,385,516 N/A N/A $3.5 million [6][7]

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
Pumpkinhead 65% (23 reviews)[8] 47 (10 reviews)[9]
Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings 13% (8 reviews)[10]

References

  1. ↑ Harrington, Richard (1988-10-18). "'Pumpkinhead' (R)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
  2. ↑ Miska, Brad (2014-04-03). "MPCA Rebooting 'Pumpkinhead' Series!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
  3. ↑ Malliaros, Matt (August 2, 2016). "Pumpkinhead to be Revived by Saw Executive Producer". Cinelinx.
  4. ↑ Collins, Clark (August 2, 2016). "Saw executive producer to reboot Pumpkinhead franchise — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2021-11-15). "Pumpkinhead remake coming from Paramount Players?". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  6. ↑ "Pumpkinhead". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Pumpkinhead (1988) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  8. ↑ "Pumpkinhead (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Pumpkinhead Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
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