Summary
High-tech robots equipped with state-of-the-art security devices have been recruited as the new mechanical "night watchmen" for the Park Plaza Mall. When a jolting bolt of lightning short-circuits the main computer control, the robots turn into "killbots" on the loose after unsuspecting shoppers!
Good for
- Date night
- Friends night
- Party vibe
Where to watch
Fingerprint
At a glance
Critics vs audiences
Audiences like it more than critics (+11)
Critics 40Audiences 51GoodWatch 46
Tomatometer58%
Metascore22
Letterboxd · 76 K ratings2.9/5
IMDb5.6
User score5.0
Audience score39%
Running time
1 h 17 min
Shorter than 9 in 10 horror movies, −18 min on the typical 95
typical 9577Half of all horror movies run 88–103 min.
Reach
Streams in 79 countries, rent or buy in 1 more
+69Released
1986
November 14, 1986
40 years ago
Genres
HorrorScience FictionLanguage
English
Original language
Also spoken
ItalianMade in
- United States
Rated
- RUnited States
What's in it
- ViolenceStrong
- Gore, disturbing imagesMild
- Frightening scenesModerate
- Sex, nudityLittle or none
- Dark themesModerate
- Strong languageNamed in the advisories
In white: what the content advisories name. Levels from the title analysis.
Viewing guide
AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchPure EscapismNot listed for kids or family movie night.
and 20 more29 people
- Kelli MaroneyAlison Parks
- Tony O'DellFerdy Meisel
- Russell ToddRick Stanton
- Karrie EmersonLinda Stanton
- Barbara CramptonSuzie Lynn
- NSNick SegalGreg Williams
- John TerleskyMike Brennan
- Suzee SlaterLeslie Todd
- Paul BartelPaul Bland
Mary WoronovMary Bland
Dick MillerWalter Paisley
Gerrit GrahamTechnician Nessler
Mel WellesCook
Angela AamesMiss Vanders
Paul CoufosDr. Simon
Arthur RobertsMr. Todd
Ace MaskJanitor #2- WGWill Gill Jr.Janitor #1
Lenny JulianoBurglar
Angus ScrimmDr. Carrington
Jim WynorskiKillbots (voice)
Julie CormanMall Shopper
Toni NaplesLead Bathing Beauty- DDDavid Del ValleMall Shopper
Directing · 6
- Jim Wynorski Director, Writer
- Steve Mitchell Second Unit Director, Writer
- Kristine Peterson First Assistant Director
- Annie Welles Script Supervisor
- Morgan Smith Script Supervisor
- Terence J. Edwards Second Assistant Director
Production · 14
- Roger Corman Executive Producer
- Julie Corman Producer
- Bruce Fahr Production Assistant
- Denetia Arellanes Production Assistant
- Matthew Fishman Production Assistant
- Charles Skouras III Production Manager, Associate Producer
Camera · 9
- Tom Richmond Director of Photography
- Tom West Key Grip
- Mark Scholl Grip
- Michael Evans Grip
- Steve Carpenter Second Unit Director of Photography
- Rob Sweeney Second Assistant Camera
Editing · 2
- Leslie Rosenthal Editor
- Michael Ruscio Assistant Editor
Sound · 5
- Chuck Cirino Original Music Composer
- Marty Kasparian Boom Operator
- Chris Baker Boom Operator
- George E. Mahlberg Sound Mixer
- Walt Martin Sound Mixer
Art · 7
- Gregg Lacy Assistant Art Director
- Corey Kaplan Set Dresser
- Gabrielle Petrissans Set Dresser
- Nat Bocking Set Dresser
- Jim Evans Second Assistant Art Director
- Douglas S. Turner Construction Manager, Modeling
Costume & Make-Up · 3
- Anthony Showe Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Blake Shepard Makeup Artist
- Katie Sparks Wardrobe Master
Visual Effects · 2
- R.J. Robertson Animation Supervisor
- R.J.Robertson Animation Supervisor
Lighting · 5
- Lars Hauglie Gaffer
- Steven Givens Electrician
- Len Levine Electrician
- Shaun Madigan Gaffer
- Barbara Kallir Best Boy Electric
Other crew · 20
- Paul Shaver Stunt Double, Stunt Coordinator
- Tim Trella Stunt Double
- Jeff Habberstad Stunt Double
- Cathy Quill Prop Maker
- David Heilman Prop Maker
- Ronald Sassoon Thanks
Tropes
More like this
Similar
Most like Chopping Mall overall
Nearest on the related map: closest in everything it does to you, not one trait
- Re-Animator (1985)
GoodWatch score 72 - Frankenhooker (1990)
GoodWatch score 64 - Trancers (1984)
GoodWatch score 68 - Gremlins (1984)
GoodWatch score 75 - Daybreak (2019)
GoodWatch score 63 - The Faculty (1998)
GoodWatch score 62 - The Avengers (1961)
GoodWatch score 80 - Queens of the Dead (2025)
GoodWatch score 68 - Turbo Kid (2015)
GoodWatch score 72 - The Toxic Avenger (1984)
GoodWatch score 60 - The Warriors (1979)
GoodWatch score 77 - Night of the Creeps (1986)
GoodWatch score 68 - The Stuff (1985)
GoodWatch score 62 - The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
GoodWatch score 71 - Total Recall (1990)
GoodWatch score 68 - The Toxic Avenger Unrated (2025)
GoodWatch score 68
Same genre
More horror movies
- The Shining (1980)
GoodWatch score 76 - Midsommar (2019)
GoodWatch score 71 - The Menu (2022)
GoodWatch score 70 - Coraline (2009)
GoodWatch score 80 - Us (2019)
GoodWatch score 74 - Alien: Covenant (2017)
GoodWatch score 63 - Blade (1998)
GoodWatch score 58 - Colony (2026)
GoodWatch score 62