GHOULIES 2 (1988)
Ghoulies 2, a 1988 horror-comedy directed by Albert Band and produced by Empire Pictures, picks up after the original with a lighter, campier tone. The film follows Larry (Damon Martin), a runaway teen, and his alcoholic uncle Ned (Royal Dano), who manage a failing carnival attraction, “Satan’s Den.” Their luck worsens when a pack of mischievous, pint-sized Ghoulies—rubbery puppets with sharp teeth—stows away in their truck after escaping a priest’s failed exorcism. Led by a winged demon, these creatures wreak havoc, drawn by Ned’s dabbling in dark magic from an old spellbook.
The carnival’s sleazy owner, Hardin (J. Downing), threatens to shut down Satan’s Den unless it turns a profit by weekend’s end. Initially, the Ghoulies’ chaos—biting patrons, sabotaging rides—boosts attendance as thrill-seekers flock to the “haunted” attraction. Larry teams up with Sir Nigel (Phil Fondacaro), a dwarf actor with Shakespearean flair, and Nicole (Kerry Remsen), a ride operator, to fight back. But the Ghoulies escalate from pranks to murder, killing Ned and others, forcing the trio to act. Hardin, seeing profit in the carnage, tries to exploit the creatures, only to become their next meal.
The climax sees Larry and Nigel lure the Ghoulies into a trap, summoning a giant, toothy Ghoulie via Ned’s spellbook to devour its smaller kin in a gooey showdown. With the threat squashed, the carnival survives, and Larry finds purpose. Shot in Italy with a modest budget, Ghoulies 2 leans hard into B-movie absurdity—think toilet-dwelling critters and ’80s synth vibes. Critics panned its thin plot and dated effects, but its self-aware silliness, puppet gore, and Fondacaro’s charm earn it cult status. Less scary than goofy, it’s a nostalgic romp for fans of low-rent creature features.
