🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Richard Alan Greenberg
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror
- Release year: 1989
- Runtime (length): 1h 40min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (18K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A kid blames a monster for all his mischief, then becomes besties with said monster and they wreak havoc until facing off against a meaner monster boss, probably while eating lots of junk food.
🍿 Little Monsters: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Moving to a New Town
Brian Stevenson, an 11-year-old boy, is unhappy about moving to a new town and leaving his friends behind. His parents, Glen and Holly, and his younger brother, Eric, are excited about the fresh start. However, strange pranks and mischief begin occurring around their house, and Brian is blamed, leading to tension with his dad.

Encounter with Maurice
Eric claims that a monster is hiding under his bed at night. To prove him wrong, Brian switches rooms with Eric. During the night, Brian discovers a mischievous blue-skinned monster named Maurice, who lives in a world under the bed. Maurice shows Brian this bizarre world, filled with monsters and endless opportunities for pranks and games.

The Monster World and its Dangers
Brian enjoys his adventures with Maurice, participating in pranks and causing mischief in the human world. However, he soon learns that spending too much time in the monster world can have consequences, potentially turning him into a monster himself. An evil monster named Boy and his henchman Snik rule the monster world with cruelty.

Kidnapping and Rescue
Boy and Snik kidnap Eric to force Brian to stay in the monster world permanently. Brian, along with Maurice and his new friends Todd, Ronnie, and Kiersten, must venture back into the monster world to rescue Eric. They face numerous challenges and dangers, battling the evil monsters and navigating the treacherous landscape.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Brian Stevenson (Fred Savage): An 11-year-old boy who discovers a world of monsters under his bed and befriends one, learning about friendship and responsibility.
- Maurice (Howie Mandel): A mischievous monster who befriends Brian and introduces him to a world of pranks and fun under children’s beds.
- Eric Stevenson (Ben Savage): Brian’s younger brother, whose fear of monsters under his bed leads to Brian’s discovery of the monster world.
- Glen Stevenson (Daniel Stern): Brian and Eric’s father, who is initially skeptical about the existence of monsters.
- Boy (Frank Whaley): The androgynous, power-hungry ruler of the monster world who attempts to trap Brian to make him stay.
- Snik (Rick Ducommun): Boy’s monstrous and physically imposing henchman who enforces his evil plans in the monster world.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Maurice: “A man’s best friend, His right hand.” – Maurice cheerfully says this as a greeting, showcasing his quirky and comedic personality.
- Maurice: “Where there’s a bed, there’s a way!” – This is Maurice’s goodbye line to Brian, emphasizing their connection and the magical portal they shared.
- Maurice: “PISS! WHO PISSED IN MY APPLE JUICE!?” – An iconic silly quote to add some humor.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $4.5M
- Domestic Gross: $793,775
- Worldwide Gross: $793,775
💥 Little Monsters Reviews
Personal Review
I watched this movie as a kid and was fascinated. It really sparked my imagination about what could be lurking under my bed! I can still remember the peanut butter and onion sandwich. I thought the movie was scary, but at the same time was something kids could also enjoy. I’d recommend it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of 80s family-friendly fantasy films”
- “Viewers who enjoy movies with monsters and imaginative worlds”
- “Those who appreciate Fred Savage’s performances”
- “People seeking a nostalgic trip back to childhood”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Some frightening monster designs”
- “Pranks that may be considered mean-spirited”
- “Brief scenes of peril”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Little Monsters is a perfectly acceptable family film. The special effects are not top-notch and the plot may not be a complex as some would like, but its a funny movie for kids and families.
- AllMovie: “As a whole, Little Monsters is a middling effort that’s not quite scary enough for horror buffs and not quite funny enough for comedy fans, but families may find it suitable for casual viewing.
Audience Reactions
The monster’s world was really imaginative: Audiences liked the idea of a world of pranks and fun away from grown-ups.
A lot of people said the movie was very mean.: Some people seemed to think some of the jokes weren’t really that funny.
Overall Consensus: While Little Monsters has its fans and the concept is pretty good, some say the execution falls short with mean-spirited jokes and weak special effects. Some found it very inappropriate for children.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s original script was reportedly much darker, with more emphasis on the monster world’s frightening aspects. Some scenes were rewritten and cut to make the film more family-friendly.”
- “The role of Maurice was initially offered to several other comedians before Howie Mandel was cast. His energetic and improvisational style brought a unique flavor to the character.”
- “Ben Savage, who plays Eric, is actually Fred Savage’s younger brother. This real-life sibling dynamic added to the authenticity of their on-screen relationship.”
🖥️ How to Watch Little Monsters?
As of October 2024, ‘Little Monsters’ (1989) is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also occasionally appear on platforms like Hulu or Paramount+ due to licensing agreements. Unfortunately, a specific streaming subscription is not known to include it for free viewing at this time.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Little Monsters, you might like these similar films:
- Monster’s Inc. (2001): Explores the concept of monsters and their relationship with the human world, focusing on humor and heartwarming relationships.
- The Gate (1987): Features kids accidentally unleashing demons and having to confront supernatural forces, creating a blend of horror and adventure.
- Gremlins (1984): A group of monsters that get unleashed upon the town.
🛒 Little Monsters Related Products
- Little Monsters (Vestron Video Collector’s Series) [Blu-ray]: Limited edition Blu-ray release featuring original artwork, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content. A must-have for serious collectors.
- Little Monsters Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Great artwork for any fan of the film.
- Little Monsters T-Shirt: A t-shirt featuring the original logo of the movie. Can come in a variety of sizes.
- Bobby’s World: The Complete Series: Watch Howie Mandel star in this cartoon series.
🎧 Soundtrack
Little Monsters features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Some scenes in ‘Little Monsters’ might be unsettling for very young children due to the presence of monsters and some dark themes. However, it’s generally considered a family-friendly film suitable for older children and pre-teens. Parents should consider their child’s sensitivity to such content.
The main message of ‘Little Monsters’ revolves around the importance of friendship, family, and accepting responsibility. It explores themes of growing up, facing fears, and the consequences of one’s actions.
Fred Savage plays the older brother, Brian Stevenson, and Ben Savage, his real-life brother, plays the younger brother, Eric Stevenson.
🔥 Bonus Content
What Are Cloverfield Monsters – Where Did They Come From?
Ever wondered about the origins of the Cloverfield monster? This video dives into the theories and explanations, and honestly, some of them are pretty wild! It’s a cool deep dive, especially knowing who directed the film.
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