While the list of A-listers who have joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe is long and diverse, another list that’s worth looking into is the wild group of actors, performers and others who have said yes to doing cameos. So, in celebration of those folks, here are the 32 best cameos in the MCU. 

Harry Styles As Eros In The Eternals 

Big names pop up in the MCU all the time, however, they’re almost always well-known actors. While Harry Styles has had a few acting roles, it’s not his primary profession, so yes, it was shocking when the singer showed up as Eros, Thanos’ brother, in the post-credits scene of The Eternals. However, since the film’s release in 2021, Styles’ future in the MCU has remained unknown, leaving his role as simply a cameo and nothing more.  

Blake Lively As Lady Deadpool In Deadpool & Wolverine 

Leading into Deadpool & Wolverine’s release, the speculation about who would play Lady Deadpool was running rampant. However, it wasn’t all too shocking when it was revealed that Ryan Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively was playing the female variant of her partner’s merc with the mouth.  

Sam Neill As Odin’s Actor In Thor: Ragnarok 

While the Thor: Ragnarok cast is stacked with legends like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo, Jeff Goldblum and more, Taika Waititi also assembled quite the ensemble of cameos to play a troupe of actors in Asgard who put on a play about Thor and his family. This included Jurassic Park’s Sam Neill, who portrayed Anthony Hopkins’ King of Asgard, Odin.  

Stan Lee As Various Characters 

While future MCU projects sadly won’t have any in-person Stan Lee cameos, we can always re-watch the Marvel movies in order to see the legendary comic writer. Before his death in 2018, Stan Lee made cameos in just about every Marvel project, whether it was from Marvel Studios, Fox or Sony. 

Some fan-favorite cameos from him included his role as a security guard in Captain America: The Winter Solider, a New York resident being interviewed on the news in The Avengers and an astronaut telling a story to the Watchers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, among many, many, many others. 

Matt Damon As Loki’s Actor In Thor: Ragnarok 

In the play Loki orchestrated in Thor: Ragnarok that tells the (not so true) story of him and his family, Matt Damon was cast to play the role of Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief. Which honestly, is inspired casting. Damon also popped in the non-MCU Deadpool 2. 

Kevin Bacon As Himself In Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Bringing a joke from Guardians of the Galaxy full circle almost eight years later, Peter’s hero Kevin Bacon finally appears. However, it’s kind of against his will, because Drax and Mantis decide to go to Earth and steal the Footloose actor to give to Chris Pratt’s character as a gift of holiday cheer.  

Miley Cyrus As Mainframe In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we see a group of Ravagers approach The Guardians. One of them is a robot head named Mainframe, and it's voiced by Miley Cyrus.

Trevor Noah As Griot In Black Panther

Much like how Paul Bettany voiced J.A.R.V.I.S., Trevor Noah voiced Griot, Shuri’s artificial intelligence she uses at her lab in Wakanda in Black Panther. 

Melissa McCarthy As Hela’s Actress In Thor: Love and Thunder 

Adding to the mix of A-listers playing actors who are playing Thor characters (try saying that five times fast), Melissa McCarthy took on the role of Cate Blanchett’s Hela – the goddess of death – in Thor: Love and Thunder. She joined the theatrical company that already featured Sam Neill, Matt Damon and Luke Hemsworth to reenact the events of Thor: Ragnarok in Taika Waititi’s second movie about the God of Thunder.

Kenneth Branagh As Asgardian Distress Call In Avengers: Infinity War

You probably know that Kenneth Branagh directed the first Thor movie. However, what you might not know is he provided a meaningful Easter egg for Avengers: Infinity War. He voiced the Asgardian Distress Call that was played after Thanos attacked their ship. 

Luke Hemsworth As Thor’s Actor In Thor: Ragnarok 

Who else could play Chris Hemsworth’s Thor in an Asgardian play about the adventures of the God of Thunder and his family? Truly, picking Luke Hemsworth to play his real-life brother’s character was fantastic! The added bonus that makes all this even better is their other brother, Liam Hemsworth also auditioned to play the god back in the day. 

Bruce Campbell As Pizza Poppa In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness saw director Sam Raimi’s return to the superhero genre. With him came his The Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell, who played Pizza Poppa in the Doctor Strange movie. 

Bill Maher As Himself In Iron Man 3

During a montage of news clips in Iron Man 3, Bill Maher pops up as they’re talking about War Machine’s rebrand into The Iron Patriot. 

Charlie Cox As Daredevil In Spider-Man: No Way Home

If you saw Spider-Man: No Way Home in theaters on opening night, you likely heard applause when Charlie Cox made his big-screen MCU debut as Matt Murdock. While he played Daredevil for three seasons on his Netflix show, and he has returned as the character since this cameo where he was giving Peter Parker legal advice, this was the first time we’d seen Cox back in action in years. 

Tom Morello As Gaurd In Iron Man

Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello made one of the first cameos in the MCU when he popped up for a quick second in Iron Man. In the movie, he played a guard in the Ten Rings camp that Tony Stark was being held at. 

Joan Rivers As Herself In Iron Man 3

Along with Bill Maher and a bunch of other TV personalities, Joan Rivers popped up to rib on War Machine’s rebranding in Iron Man 3. 

Harry Dean Stanton As Security Guard In The Avengers

In The Avengers, there’s a security guard who finds Bruce Banner after he crashes into the Earth as Hulk. That guard is played by Harry Dean Stanton, who is best known for his roles in classic films like Alien, The Green Mile, Paris Texas and Repo Man. 

Justin Theroux As Police Officer In Iron Man 2

Not only did Justin Theroux write Iron Man 2, but he also had the smallest blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it cameo, per CBR. He played one of the police officers who arrested Justin Hammer and escorted Pepper Potts off the premises toward the end of the film. 

Rob Zombie As Ravager Navigator In Guardians of the Galaxy

In many of James Gunn’s movies, Rob Zombie makes a cameo. After doing that for Slither and Super, he lent his voice to his friend's first Marvel movie by voicing a Ravager Navigator in Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Megan Thee Stallion As Herself In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

We can thank Jameela Jamil for Megan Thee Stallion’s incredible cameo in She-Hulk. The rapper appeared in an episode of the Disney+ show during a courtroom scene, and then she popped up one more time to twerk with the titular attorney. 

David Hasselhoff As Himself In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

When Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill was a kid he’d pretend that David Hasselhoff was his dad. So, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Hasselhoff was part of one of the songs on the soundtrack – “Guardians Inferno” –  and it plays during the end credits. And at the very end of those credits, you can see his face pop up as he says the final words of the song. Talk about an epic cameo.

Brett Goldstein As Hercules In Thor: Love and Thunder

In the post-credit scene for Thor: Love and Thunder, Brett Goldstein appeared as Hercules. In his brief scene, he was shown speaking with Russell Crowe’s Zeus. It was thrilling to see the Ted Lasso star show up as the son of Zeus, however, it’s been years since that happened, and he hasn’t shown up again. 

Ken Jeong As Security Guard In Avengers: Endgame

Before the Russo Brothers were making big fancy Marvel movies, they worked on Community. So, it’s always fun to see actors from that show pop up in the MCU. For example in Avengers: Endgame, Ken Jeong appeared for a quick cameo as a security guard who is watching over the storage unit that Ant-Man’s van is in. 

Nathan Fillion As Monstrous Inmate In Guardians of the Galaxy And Headpool In Deadpool And Wolverine

You can see Nathan Fillion (looking like himself) as a major member of the supporting cast in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as he plays Master Karja. However, before that, he had a cameo in James Gunn’s first Guardians movie, because he voiced “Monstrous Inmate.” After that, he voiced Headpool during the Deadpool variant fight in Deadpool and Wolverine. 

Brad Pitt As The Vanisher In Deadpool 2

Now, I fully realize Deadpool 2 wasn’t technically in the MCU, but Deadpool and Wolverine is, so this counts. One of the most fun cameos maybe ever came when Brad Pitt appeared for a split second in the Ryan Reynolds-led sequel to play The Vanisher right as he gets electrocuted. 

Joe Russo As Grieving Man In Avengers: Endgame

Joe and Anthony Russo are best known as the guys behind the camera who led some of the best Marvel movies, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and, of course, Avengers: Endgame. So, in this big finale for the MCU’s Infinity Saga, Joe Russo made a cameo as part of Steve Rogers' support group. 

Yvette Nicole Brown As S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent In Avengers: Endgame

The Russo Brothers didn’t forget their roots, and included multiple members of the Community cast in their Marvel movies. This included Yvette Nicole Brown, who played a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent that Tony Stark and Steve Rogers run into when they go back in time to steal Pym Particles. 

David Bradley As Tower Keeper In Captain America: The First Avenger

David Bradley is a legendary British character actor, and you’ll likely recognize him for his role as Filch in the Harry Potter cast or as The Doctor in various episodes of Doctor Who. He also notably played a small role as the Tower Keeper protecting the Tesseract in Captain America: The First Avenger.

Danny Pudi As Com Tech #1 In Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Russo Brothers adore their Community cast, so in their first Marvel movie, they gave Danny Pudi, Abed himself, a little cameo. For a brief minute, you can see him as Com Tech #1 during the beloved Captain America sequel. 

Garrett Morris As Car Driver In Ant-Man

While Ant-Man himself is played by a comedy legend, that actor being Paul Rudd, there’s another hilarious icon in this cast. Yep, original Saturday Night Live cast member Garrett Morris (who actually dressed up as the superhero on the sketch comedy show back in the day) appeared in this movie as a man driving a car that Ant-Man fell onto, and it’s fantastic!

Matthew McConaughey As Cowboypool In Deadpool and Wolverine

When all the variants of Deadpool appeared to fight Deadpool and Wolverine, one of them was Cowboypool. Fittingly, the Western Merc with the Mouth was voiced by Matthew McConaughey.

Henry Cavill As Cavillrine In Deadpool and Wolverine

When Wade Wilson was looking for a Wolverine to bring back to his universe, he came across one version of Logan who was played by Henry Cavill. After seeing fanart of the former Superman as the X-Man, it was clear he was a good fit for the part, and it was incredible to see Deadpool and Wolverine act on the fans’ wishes. 

As you can see the range of these cameos is wide, and frankly legendary. And we’re sure that as Marvel continues to release movies and TV shows, the iconic cameos will keep coming. 

As you may well know by now, co-writer/director David Gordon Green’s new movie release Halloween Ends has become a flashpoint of debate for fans of the franchise. John Carpenter’s legendary slasher series has once more set up the dividing lines, and people are ready to debate the big swings taken in this Halloween finale. One person you won’t hear taking either side of the debate is writer/director Rob Zombie, as he’s actually had a good reason to avoid watching the Blumhouse trilogy.

The horror director behind this year’s film adaptation of The Munsters shared as much on Facebook, in response to people sharing with him the many memes responding to the latest Halloween movie. In particular, the memes seem to joke that people who dumped on his duology of Michael Myers stories will now come around to his view on the franchise. Rob Zombie’s comment on the matter reads as follows: 

Throughout 2022, Zombie has run into a fan-related situation that sees The Munsters inspiring various thoughts from viewers far and wide. However, that’s a cakewalk compared to how people responded to the 2007’s Halloween remake, and its 2009 follow-up, Halloween II. 

It hard not to see the echoes of the disappointed side of the fandom reverberating in the discourse surrounding Blumhouse’s entire trilogy of Michael Meyers/Laurie Strode flicks. Which, in turn, totally explains why Rob Zombie would stay away from any of those movies.

Considering the current discussions from the fandom and the fact that there’s already a petition to totally remake Halloween Ends, it doesn’t look like much has changed between these eras of slasherdom. Very vocal opinions on how Myers and even Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode were handled in the latest iteration of the franchise continue to fly across the web. However, even with the fires of discussion raging, Rob Zombie is right that the internet is hilarious and that the memes are savaging a topic worth laughing about. 

The Halloween franchise will probably be rebooted again at some point, as even the die-hard fans are practically expecting it to be announced any day now. Whether David Gordon Green will watch a potential new incarnation or not remains to be seen. While we wouldn’t blame him for skipping out for the same reasons Rob Zombie skipped the Blumhouse trilogy, perhaps enough time will have passed for them both to revisit Michael Myers’ legacy on the big screen. 

Should you want to join in on the fun, you can currently catch Halloween Ends, as it’s showing in theaters, as well as streaming for those with a Peacock subscription. Meanwhile, Rob Zombie fans can stream his latest film, The Munsters on Netflix. And if you're tired of Michael Myers continually being resurrected to bring the town of Haddonfield to its knees, you may want to read these thoughts on why Halloween Ends should end Michael once and for all.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains crucial plot details about the Munsters movie. If you would prefer to experience Rob Zombie’s new vision of these iconic characters with fresh eyes if you have not already, proceed with caution.

I will never forget the moment when I first discovered that the rumors were true and Rob Zombie — the rock star behind such disturbing thrillers as House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, and a brutal reimagining of John Carpenter’s Halloween — was developing a movie about The Munsters. I found the idea of a reboot of this spooky, 1960s sitcom classic from a filmmaker like him to be a rather intriguing and fun idea and was sure to set aside time to watch it as soon as it was made available to stream on Netflix in late September, which is just what I did. My viewing of the new movie invoked a colorful assortment of reactions that I now present to you below, starting with one of my more favorable takes on the matter.

They Got The Cast Right 

No one could ever replace Fred Gwynne as Herman, Yvonne DeCarlo as Lily, Al Lewis as Grandpa, and the rest of the original sitcom’s ensemble, but The Munsters cast was selected very wisely as far as I am concerned. For instance, Daniel Roebuck does a perfect job with his inspired new take on Grandpa (referred to here as “The Count”) and Jeff Daniel Phillips works quite well with the goofy material he is given to play Herman. However, surprising me the most was Sheri Moon Zombie, who has often been criticized for her lack of acting experience outside of her husband’s work, but seems really dedicated to put on a worthy portrayal of Lily.

Richard Brake Is Clearly Having A Blast 

My choice for the real MVP of the cast, though, is Richard Brake, who is already one of Hollywood’s top Scream Kings these days for his work in previous Zombie movies like 31, and his twisted role in the Barbarian cast, more recently. 

Like most of his co-stars, he plays two roles: Dr. Henry Augustus Wolfgang — the mad scientist who creates Herman and is dissatisfied with the results — and Count Orlok — the vampiric antagonist of 1922’s Nosferatu. He chews the scenery wonderfully in both roles, but just his appearance under the Orlok makeup alone genuinely has me convinced Robert Eggers should call him if his remake of the classic silent horror picture is still in the works.

Ah, So This Is An Origin Story

It was actually by the time that Orlok showed up for his blind date with Lily — which The Count helped set up — that I realized this was not a remake of The Munsters, but a prequel set before the events of the original sitcom. 

We get to see how Herman was put together with the brain of a failed stand-up comedian, how Lily fell in love with him after seeing his act on TV, how the family found and took in their pet monster, Spot, and how the Transylvania natives found themselves in a Los Angeles suburb. We do not, however, get to see Herman and Lliy’s lycanthropic son, Eddie, or their virtually normal niece, Marilyn, but their original actors — Butch Patrick and Pat Priest — do make vocal cameos, at least.

Visually, This Is Pretty Spot On 

Despite not being a direct continuation of the original series, the director does an excellent job recreating its world and making the movie, on a technical level, a pitch perfect representation of the show if it was filmed in color. Also like the sitcom, The Munsters serves as a love-letter to primitive horror cinema with certain visual cues, like Dutch angles and sudden, vertigo-inducing changes to an actor’s background. In fact, some of the references are even more overt, like when Herman and Lily cross paths with her uncle, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and watch a marathon of some of his greatest moments on film.

Comedy Is Not Rob Zombie’s Strong Suit 

I expected this movie to be a visual feast, believing Zombie to a master of the horror aesthetic, but was unsure what to expect from it as a comedy, believing that the filmmaker’s sense of humor might be a little too morbid and, quite frankly, off-puttingly crass for the source material. 

Well, luckily, he does away with that sort of tone completely, but substitutes with nothing but gags you might find on a Laffy Taffy wrapper. Perhaps corny humor was a staple of the original series, but those jokes were at least fresh at the time and I actually wish he would have hired a co-writer who was better versed in comedy to help him come up with some new material instead of relying purely on recycled jokes.

This Script Is A Bit Too Convenient And Derivative 

Come to think of it, much of the plot here feels overly recycled, which I understand may sound like a moot point, given the fact that this is a reboot. However, for instance, when Dr. Wolfgang’s assistant, Floop (Jorge Garcia), accidentally steals the wrong brain to create Herman with, it reminded me of when Marty Feldman’s Igor does nearly the exact same thing in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. 

Additionally, I thought Herman and Lily’s meet-cute could have been more interesting than her finding his dressing room to invite him to dinner after first spotting him on TV, and I felt The Count changed his mind on his feelings about his dopey son-in-law just a little too quickly. Maybe I am being too harsh, but I do like when all of a script’s elements can steer clear of anything too familiar and come together naturally.

Am I The Only One Who Wanted To See An Actually Scary Take On The Munsters? 

Speaking of being too harsh, I think one of the most unnecessarily harsh ways that one can criticize a film is to judge it based on what it is NOT instead of what it is, which is why I do respect Zombie’s decision to stay true to the source material for the movie. 

Yet, I will admit that, when I heard he was helming the reboot, I was excited by the idea of actually making The Munsters much more genuinely creepy, which is where the filmmaker’s true talents lie. However, I suppose some fans might have been disappointed in anything too different from the original and, not to mention, an edgier reboot was already attempted once in 2012 with co-creator Bryan Fuller’s Mockingbird Lane.

Overall, I Much Prefer The Original

At the end of the day, I do think The Munsters is, at least, successful in introducing the world of the show and all of its essential, visual details to a new audience, and employing a cast who do the original characters justice. I just wish that the story did not feel so cheaply crafted, the dialogue was not so undercooked, the humor was not so childish and overdone, and the runtime was a little shorter than 109 minutes. 

As someone who has a special place in his heart for the old series — having proposed to my now wife when we were dressed as Herman and Lily one Halloween — and as an admirer of Rob Zombie in some respects, I was really hoping to have a better time with this than I did.

I will say, though, that seeing Cassandra Peterson show up as the Munsters’ realtor was pretty cool, even if she was not dressed as Elvira. You can watch The Munsters right now on Netflix.

Marvel fans usually love when the studios takes risks and thinks outside of the box with its hires, especially when it comes to directors. Taika Waititi and James Gunn weren’t natural choices when it came to taking over bigger-budget superhero movies, but they brought their unique voices and approach to Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok, and now those movies are up there with the best Marvel movies ever made. These risks don’t always work (more on those in a moment), and we sometimes hear of situations where a radical, left-field selection almost happened, creating a tantalizing “What if?” for the Marvel universe.

This one involves the movie series The Punisher, which starred Thomas Jane as the vigilante Frank Castle back in 2004. This was an early stab (no pun intended) at bringing the extremely violent Marvel character to the big screen, and was in no way part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It never got a sequel, but during an appearance at the Fanboy Expo in Tennessee (via ComicBook), Jane mentioned that Rob Zombie was a name in the mix to helm Punisher 2, and excuse me… what? 

One of the criticisms leveled at Thomas Jane’s The Punisher, which was directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, is that it pulled its punches regarding the amount of violence needed to be a true Punisher movie. Frank Castle is a man who wages war on criminals after his innocent family is caught in the crossfire of rival gang members. The Punisher forgives no one, and leaves bodies in his wake. 

Hiring Rob Zombie to take a crack at The Punisher 2 would have given the sequel the edge that was missing from Hensleigh’s movie. Look at how Zombie reimagined Halloween when he took over John Carpenter’s classic franchise, or the spin he’s putting on The Munsters. They look nothing like what we would expect, and I know his interpretation of The Punisher would have been as extreme. You KNOW we would have gotten a killing montage set to Dragula, and that's badass.

Instead of Rob Zombie, the Punisher character landed in the hands of Lexi Alexander, who ramped up the violence for the more-fitting Punisher: War Zone but still created a movie that even the director hates. Then the character received some level of stability when fan-favorite Jon Bernthal donned Frank Castle’s body armor for multiple Netflix appearances. But then that, too, got cancelled. 

The Marvel Netflix heroes are making their way back to the MCU, with Daredevil about to appear in the She-Hulk series, and Kingpin being added to Echo. Despite the rumors that Rosario Dawson has been spreading, however, The Punisher isn’t ready to appear on a new Disney+ show. But if and when he does… maybe Rob Zombie can be in the mix again?

Reboots and sequels and continuations and legacy-quels are all inherent to the horror genre, from the most recent Halloween trilogy to the in-development Exorcist flick to Dan Trachtenberg's upcoming Prey. (Oh yeah, prequels, too.) But even so, there's something still bafflingly intriguing by hard-rocking filmmaker Rob Zombie taking on a feature-length reboot of the classic '60s series The Munsters. And in true reiterated fashion, the first full teaser that Universal Pictures has released for The Munsters is a delightful recreation of the TV show's memorable opening credits.

As seen above, Rob Zombie crafted a loving version of The Munsters' opening, in which each family member exits their iconic residence at 1313 Mockingbird Lane accompanied by their cast credit. No reason for credits here, since this obviously isn't a TV show, but let's note that the trio of frequent Zombie collaborators shown are Jeff Daniel Phillips as Herman Munster, Sheri Moon Zombie as Lily Munster, and Daniel Roebuck as Grandpa. And while there are obvious differences from the original, they do look pretty awesome. 

I love how awesome even just the front of the house looks in the teaser, especially with everything so crisp in black and white, making it appear as if the 1960s series enjoyed a  monumental remastering. The visuals also play into the "reveal" that the movie is definitely going to be a full-color affair, and we get a great shot of the three characters in all their saturated magnificence.

Of course, this Munsters video doesn't present the most extensive recreation of the TV intro, since it only features the oldest three human(ish) family members, without bringing out the totally abnormal (to them) Marilyn and the young blood enthusiast Eddie with his oversized baseball bat. That said, it was previously reported that O.G. stars Pat Priest and Butch Patrick will appear in the new movie, though it's not clear if their current roles will connect to those they played in the series, so that remains a big question.

Also no sign of the family pet Spot, an oversized dino-dragon beast that lives under the stairs. But I can't imagine Rob Zombie not factoring fantastical beasts into this flick, so I'm hoping that reveal will come later. 

The Munsters cast will also feature other horror vets and icons such as Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson, Dee Wallace (Cujo, The Howling), and Richard Break (Mandy), while other co-stars include Lost's Jorge Garcia, Space: 1999 vet Catherine Schell, and Doctor Who legend Sylvester McCoy. One has to imagine there will be more than a few fun cameos and other surprises as well that will be kept under lock and key until release. How amazing would it be if they run into the Addams Family at some point? (Probably not gonna happen, given Netflix's upcoming Addams-flavored series Wednesday, but still.)

At the moment, it's unclear exactly when Rob Zombie's The Munsters will crash into our living rooms, but it will be released this fall by Universal 1440 Entertainment, which develops and produces films for global releases across all non-theatrical platforms. Stay tuned for more info, and check out our 2022 movie premiere schedule to see what other big projects are coming soon.

While The Addams Family has gotten a lot of love over the years with reboots and revivals, the latest being the upcoming Netflix spinoff series, Wednesday, another creepy family from the ‘60s hasn’t been quite as successful. Even though the first episodes premiered within mere weeks of each other in 1964, The Munsters just wasn’t as popular as its ABC counterpart. There have been attempts to bring the monster family back, and it looks like horror icon Rob Zombie just may be successful with his upcoming film adaptation. Some of the questions we’ve had about Zombie's new movie have been answered, as we now understand more about the exciting project. Here is what we know so far:

The Munsters Reboot Features A Cast Of Rob Zombie Film Vets

If you’re familiar at all with Rob Zombie’s films, you have probably noticed the same faces in a number of them. The horror director loves to cast people he knows and loves, and his wife Sheri Moon Zombie is in every single movie he has made, despite the fact that she doesn’t really act otherwise. It works, though, because she’s pretty awesome.

It appears as though The Munsters reboot is not different, because Rob Zombie has announced via Instagram that Sheri Moon Zombie will indeed be playing a member of the Munster family, the matriarch of the family, Lily Munster. She will be joined by Jeff Daniel Phillips as Herman Munster and Dan Roebuck as Grandpa Munster. Both actors have appeared in their fair share of Zombie films, as well.

Rob Zombie Has Said The Munsters Reboot Is A Project “He Has Been Chasing For 20 Years”

Rob Zombie has plenty of experience in rebooting creepy classics, as he has his own Halloween duology. It would seem that he has a special place in his heart for The Munsters, though. When confirming that he would, in fact, be taking a swing at the classic sitcom and turning it into a film, he revealed on Instagram that he has “been chasing for 20 years.” This project is something totally different than fans are used to seeing from the gory horror genre director, so it’s promising to hear that he takes the original content and concept so seriously.

Rob Zombie’s The Munsters Will Be Rated PG

It may be hard to picture Rob Zombie, director of a film very appropriately titled House of 1000 Corpses, taking a stab at a tame, circa-’60s family friendly sitcom. It turns out that Zombie is planning to be very conservative and keep it true to the wholesome and mild content of the original Munsters series, because he announced not too long ago that his take on The Munsters wouldn’t be what we are used to seeing from him.

Rob Zombie took to his Instagram to let fans know that the film would be neither nasty nor full of gore, but instead actually be rated PG. This is a huge break away from his previously rated R content, and should put a lot of critics at ease about the intense director taking on such a classic adaptation.

An OG The Munsters Star Has Been Cast In Rob Zombie’s Reboot

Possibly as an ode to the beloved, cult classic sitcom, Rob Zombie has cast an original star in his reboot of The Munsters. Pat Priest, who originally played the lovely and oddly human Marilyn Munster, has been officially made a part of the film adaptation. Interestingly enough, casting for the new Marilyn has yet to be announced, and we don’t yet know who Priest will play in the film. As it wouldn’t really make sense for the actress to reprise her role, this is a very intriguing development that we can't wait to learn more about. 

Rob Zombie Shared An Image Of 1313 Mockingbird Lane For The Munsters

If having the original Marilyn Munster (that is, if you don’t count the actress whom Pat Priest replaced after a few episodes on the OG series) as a part of the new adaptation added just a touch of nostalgia to Rob Zombie’s The Munsters reboot, then the images of the new 1313 Mockingbird Lane is like stepping into an actual time machine. Zombie shared pictures of the set he has created for the Munster House on his Instagram, and I honestly can’t differentiate this iconic house from the original. Take a look for yourself:

If you slide through the photos, you can see the whole neighborhood surrounding 1313 Mockingbird Lane, and the Munster house certainly sticks out, just like the family themselves and just how it did in the original series from the ‘60s. The pictures make the reboot feel so real, and I honestly can't wait to see the finished product.

Elvira Is In The Munsters Reboot, But Not How You’d Expect

While Rob Zombie is bringing back familiar faces from his own films and of the original The Munsters series, he is also bringing in one iconic face from Hollywood’s macabre history. According to Variety, Cassandra Peterson, who is better known as Elvira, has joined the cast of The Munsters reboot. Instead of joining the out of place Munsters, though, she will be playing a completely human realtor by the name of Barbara Carr. This is a huge 180 from the characters we are used to seeing from her, but I kind of dig the switch up. It seems to be going right along with Zombie’s theme in taking on The Munsters.

Universal Is Handling Distribution Of The Munsters Reboot

The Munsters originally aired on NBC, which merged with Universal to create NBCUniversal back in 2004. Consequently, distribution of Rob Zombie’s film adaptation of the series will be handled by Universal. While it’s expected to get a theatrical run, we can also expect the film to end up streaming as well. Naturally, fans with a Peacock subscription can expect to see the reboot come across their screens, as the streaming platform has seen all of Universal’s films since the start of this year.

While there has not been an official announcement of a release date for Rob Zombie’s The Munster reboot, it’s still reasonable to believe we could see it near the end of this year. Filming has wrapped for a number of the cast members, the eerily familiar set has been put together quickly, and the film already has a set rating. It’s clear we can both expect something we have never before seen from Zombie and something that truly throws it back to the original lovable Munsters family. I’m very excited to see what the mix of the two brings to our screens, hopefully in time for this year’s spooky season.

There's something undeniably strange — but also oddly fitting — about seeing the words "Rob Zombie's The Munsters" strung together in a recent Instagram post. After 20-something years of molding his image from various influences, the writer-director will finally get a chance to make one of his long-in-the-works passion projects with his sure-to-be-interesting take on the classic '60s Transylvanian sitcom. Expected to debut on Peacock, this movie is weirdly enticing, especially for Zombie fans, though it raises a whole lot of questions. Here are just a few that we have about Zombie's newest film.

Will Rob Zombie’s The Munsters Be Family-Friendly Or R-Rated?

Naturally, if we're gonna talk about The Munsters film reboot, we need to ask one big question, which is, "are we getting a PG Rob Zombie movie?" It's quite an odd thought.

To date, the proudly perverse musician-turned-writer/director hasn't made a movie that has come anywhere close to a PG-13 rating, let alone PG. Hell, even Rob Zombie's sole animated movie, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, is basically NC-17 in terms of general nastiness. Suffice it to say, the uncompromising artist makes movies that aren't for the faint of heart, either to his benefit or detriment, though The Munsters might buck the trend. It's unclear if The Munsters is expected to be another R-rated feature from Zombie or if it'll force the filmmaker to tone his style down. It's easy to imagine The Munsters being for Zombie what The House with a Clock in its Walls was for Hostel's Eli Roth. Will this adaptation be a departure for the notoriously noxious horror director?

Will The Director's Style Work For The Munsters?

Speaking matter-of-factly, Rob Zombie's filmmaking style is ... not for everyone. Often making ultra-violent, persistently crude, typically unpleasant horror movies centered around unsavory personalities in extreme and cruel circumstances, while also favoring gritty photography and harsh environments, Zombie's movies are divisive at best and unwatchable at worst. He has found more commercial appeal as a musician, it's safe to say. That said, the director keeps a loyal fanbase that shows up to watch his stuff; you don't get to make eight (soon to be nine) movies without people coming back for more.

Nevertheless, Rob Zombie's abrasive brand of moviemaking won't easily transfer to a traditionally more family-friendly property like The Munsters, which makes one wonder if he'll produce a film that's more commercially conventional or stay true to his form of nutso filmmaking. To his credit, his Halloween movies were uniquely his own, despite studio funding, so that makes one hopeful — or concerned — for his take on this classic comedy.

Will Rob Zombie's The Munsters Be More Like The Addams Family Movies Or The Brady Bunch Movies?

With that said, what tone is Rob Zombie's The Munsters looking to strike? Beyond possibly being more adult-skewing, there's also the question of whether the movie will adopt an ironic tone. Should we expect something in the vein of, say, The Addams Family (1991), assuming it turns out well? Or, if it fares for the worse, perhaps Tim Burton's Dark Shadows? By that, I mean, is the movie set to be comedic in tone but ultimately committed to the horror-aesthetic absurdity of the freaky family? Will their world be shown through their wayward perspectives? Or is it going to be closer to The Brady Bunch Movie, wherein we see a modernized take on the characters making their way throughout their days in a town that doesn't understand or want to accept their outdated mentality? It's hard to guess, so we'll have to wait to see what's in store here.

When Is The Munsters Expected To Debut On Peacock?

When Rob Zombie announced that his passion project was finally coming together, he remained coy about the details, promising more information at a later date. We know that The Munsters is expected to premiere on Peacock in lieu of a traditional theatrical rollout, though its premiere date remains unannounced. One could reasonably assume that it's gearing up for a Halloween-friendly October release, though it's unclear if they're gonna try to release it in 2022 or 2023 (this year seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened). There will be lots of special effects involved; it'll probably Zombie's biggest production yet. We'll have to wait to see when Zombie's The Munsters makes its way to the streaming service, but right now, it's in the early stages of pre-production.

Will Sheri Moon Zombie And Jeff Daniel Phillips Play Lily And Herman Munster In Rob Zombie's The Munsters?

When you see a new movie from Rob Zombie is in the works, you can bet your bottom dollar that Sheri Moon Zombie, the filmmaker's wife, will make an appearance. Whether she plays a lead role, as she did in The Devil's Rejects, The Lords of Salem, and 3 From Hell, or simply a supporting turn, like she did in Halloween (2007), the actress is hardly camera-shy whenever her hubby calls the shots. Likewise, we should expect her screen presence in the director's long-brewing passion project, and there are already rumors that Mrs. Zombie will play Lily Munster opposite Jeff Daniel Phillips' Herman Munster.

This Munsters casting rumor originated from Murphy's Multiverse earlier this spring and it remains unconfirmed. That said, the website had the scoop about the movie prior to its announcement. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that this information is also true. Certainly, like Sheri Moon Zombie, Jeff Daniel Phillips is a frequent Rob Zombie collaborator, so this speculation sounds more likely than not. We'll have to wait and see.

Will This Movie Start A New Film Franchise?

Naturally, in our IP-driven era, we have to often ask ourselves, "Is this movie supposed to be the next film franchise?" Sequels, spin-offs, prequels, you-name-it are the name of the game nowadays, like it or not. Nothing can be content to be one solo feature these days — unless it underperforms, of course. Therefore, should we expect Rob Zombie's The Munsters to start a film series? Or is it envisioned as a one-off? Only time will tell.

Will Rob Zombie's Adaptation Feature Cameos From Any Of The Living Munsters Cast Members?

Unfortunately, in the years since the regrettably canceled show vacated the air, many of the original cast members from CBS's The Munsters have left this earthly plane, including Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, and Beverly Owen, along with voice actors Mel Blanc and Bob Hastings. There are a couple of actors who are still with us, though, including Pat Priest, who played Marilyn Munster, and Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster. Neither stars are as active as they were in their earlier years, but one must wonder if Rob Zombie's burning enthusiasm for this long-championed project can convince the actors to make a cameo appearance.

Given modern safety restrictions put into place for movie sets, it's admittedly not so easy to get everyone safely under one bubble — particularly two elderly actors. That said, it's not impossible either. Certainly, it would be a lot of fun to see these television stars of yesteryear on screen again. Ultimately, we'll have to wait to see if it happens.

How Will This Film Compare To Rob Zombie’s Other Directorial Features?

As noted before, Rob Zombie's filmmaking output tends to vary. And, in my view, often for the worse. Certainly, in terms of visuals and style, the director left a hell of a stamp with The Devil's Rejects and The Lords of Salem. The first half of Halloween (2007) is also rather unflinching in its depiction of the iconic serial killer's deprived upbringing, and the sequel takes a lot of big swings that are, at the very least, intriguing. That said, Zombie's other filmmaking efforts aren't as easy to praise, including 31, House of 1,000 Corpses, 3 From Hell, and The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. The unreserved director is, generally speaking, a tough sell, and it'll be interesting to see if this movie finds broader success than his previous efforts or if it'll prove to be equally alienating.

Will The Munsters Soundtrack Include “Dragula?”

Of course, Rob Zombie's eccentric brand is forever linked to The Munsters through the chart-topping, record-smashing success of 1998's hit single, "Dragula." By incorporating the familiar iconography of this show into his heavy metal discography, Zombie gave music lovers a taste of his appreciation for this classic sitcom. With that said, as a nod to the song's success, should we expect "Dragula" to blare during the end credits? It seems obvious, but maybe it's too obvious? Like putting a hat on a hat. That said, the artist thrives on indulging excess and extravagance, so don't be shocked if it happens.

Hopefully, our questions are answered whenever Rob Zombie's The Munsters arrives.

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By now you have probably heard that rock star turned filmmaker Rob Zombie is writing and directing a cinematic reboot of The Munsters - the classic TV sitcom about a family of supernatural entities trying to make do in a world run by the living. I am not sure how many people will agree with me, but I am actually very intrigued and almost excited by the idea of the man behind twisted flicks like House of 1000 Corpses putting his own spin on the otherwise family-friendly dark comedy. To better understand why I feel this way instead of immediately condemning the concept altogether, perhaps we should take a closer look at all of the Rob Zombie movies streaming (or available to rent or purchase digitally) right now to gain deeper insight into the horror auteur’s unique mindset, starting with his certainly unique debut.

House Of 1000 Corpses (2003)

As Halloween draws near in 1977, a pair of aspiring authors (the Office cast’s Rainn Wilson and Chris Hardwick) drag their girlfriends (Jennifer Jostyn and Erin Daniels) on a cross-country trip in search of the country’s creepiest road side attractions, leading them on the path to uncover the secret behind an infamous urban legend that may end up being their last stop.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: Say what you want about House of 1000 Corpses - one of the most bizarre and most polarizing horror movies in recent memory - but you cannot deny that few directorial debuts have set the tone for a filmmaker’s subsequent career as definitively as this aesthetically inventive ode to the grindhouse era featuring an irresistibly maniacal performance by the late Sid Haig as Captain Spaulding.

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Rent/Buy House Of 1000 Corpses on Amazon.

The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

The surviving members of the sadistic Firefly Family - Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), Otis B. Driftwood (Bill Moseley), and Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie, Rob’s wife) - go on the run after Sheriff John Quincy Wydell (William Forsyth) comes looking for them to put an end to their long, long history of carnage and avenge the murder of his brother, Lieutenant George Wydell (Tom Towles).

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: Few would would have expected a film like House of 1000 Corpses to spawn a sequel, let alone one as smart, engaging, and shameless in its exploitation of pure ugliness as The Devil’s Rejects - considered by most to be the finest film in the Firefly Trilogy and, of all the Rob Zombie movies, the best that the filmmaker has made in his entire career thus far.

Stream The Devil’s Rejects on Tubi.

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3 From Hell (2019)

After 10 years on death row, Otis B. Driftwood (Bill Moseley) and Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie) escape from prison with the help of their trusted friend, Winslow (former Game of Thrones cast member Richard Brake), and, once again, go on the run in search of a new life, but not without stirring up more mayhem.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: Most people would also agree that 3 From Hell is not exactly one of the best Rob Zombie movies and, arguably, the weakest of the Firefly Trilogy, yet it is worth taking a look to see where this family of outcasts (much like The Munsters, in a more likable way, could be described) end up following the events of The Devil’s Rejects and to see the final performance of Sid Haig as Captain Spaulding.

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Rent/Buy 3 From Hell on Amazon.

Halloween (2007)

After spending 17 years in a mental institution for the murder of his stepfather, older sister, and her boyfriend when he was just 10 years old, Michael Myers (former professional wrestler Tyler Mane) returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, to reunite with his unwitting baby sister, Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton), and leaves a trail of blood along the way that his former psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm McDowell) intends to stop.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: There are some audiences who still cannot understand why anyone would ever even consider doing a remake of one of the best horror movies of all time, but if you can find a way to set Rob Zombie’s Halloween apart from John Carpenter’s 1978 quintessential slasher classic, it does stand on its own as a relatively well-crafted, character-driven carousel of carnage.

Rent/Buy Halloween on Amazon.

Halloween II (2009)

After surviving the deadly rampage of Michael Myers (Tyler Mane), Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) struggles to come to terms with the discovery that she is his biological sister and fears for her life when it becomes apparent that the infamous psychopath’s is somehow still alive.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: There are some audiences who still cannot understand why anyone would ever even consider doing a sequel to a remake of one of the best horror movies of all time, and Rob Zombie himself has admitted that his begrudging decision to make the second of his Halloween movies led to a miserable experience. That being said, he still cites 2009’s Halloween II as his favorite of the two, which is enough of a reason to give the bloodier and trippier follow-up a chance.

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The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto (2009)

A former masked luchador and adult film star (writer Tom Papa) teams up with his sister (Sheri Moon Zombie) - a trigger happy undercover secret agent - to take on a devilish mad scientist (Paul Giamatti), a stripper (Rosario Dawson) branded with a Satanic symbol, an army of undead Nazis, and more in their problematic attempts to save mankind in the strange world of Monsterland.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: Surprisingly, the straight-to-video, animated adventure comedy The Haunted World of El Superbeasto could actually be the most definitive film of Rob Zombie’s career with an uproarious and erotic plot that fans of classic grindhouse craziness will not be able to resist and an all-star cast of comedic geniuses and horror heroes alike - including Elvira herself, Cassandra Peterson.

Rent/Buy The Haunted World of El Superbeasto on Amazon.

Tom Papa: Live In New York City (2011)

Comedian Tom Papa riffs on the strange anatomy of certain domesticated pets, the trials and tribulations of marriage and fatherhood in the 21st century, and makes some comments about the influences of Facebook in front of a Manhattan audience.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: If you thought The Haunted World of El Superbeasto was a surprising moment in Rob Zombie’s career as a director, I am positive that you never expected to see his name attached to a hilarious and thought-provoking stand-up comedy special like Tom Papa: Live in New York City - which actually makes a bit more sense when you remember that said comic is the writer and the voice of the titular hero from the animated exploitation extravaganza.

Stream Tom Papa: Live In New York City on Netflix.

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Stream Tom Papa: Live In New York City on Pluto TV.

Stream Tom Papa: Live In New York City on Vudu.

Rent/Buy Tom Papa: Live In New York City on Amazon.

The Zombie Horror Picture Show (2014)

Rob Zombie pulls double duty as the orchestrator and performer of this collection of footage from shows in Dallas and Houston, Texas, as part of the Mayhem Festival Tour in the summer of 2013.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: For a concert documentary that feels a lot more in line with Rob Zombie’s line of work, The Zombie Horror Picture Show sees the former White Zombie lead singer directing himself and his band in a performance that proves he really is a master showman of music and mayhem with nightmarish costumes, over-the-top stage decorations, and death-defying pyrotechnics beyond any metalhead’s wildest imagination.

Rent/Buy The Zombie Horror Picture Show on Amazon.

The Lords Of Salem (2012)

A DJ for a local rock music radio station (Sheri Moon Zombie) is sent a record that, upon dropping the needle, mysteriously causes her to suffer from horrifying visions of the gruesome history that haunts her town: Salem, Massachusetts.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: Sheri Moon Zombie (a self-proclaimed non-actress who prefers to only appear in films directed by her husband) leads the cast of The Lords of Salem, which often feels like how Rosemary’s Baby might have turned out if it was conceived by one Rob Zombie.

Stream The Lords Of Salem on Amazon Prime.

Rent/Buy The Lords of Salem on Amazon.

31 (2016)

A group of five employees from a rundown carnival are suddenly taken prisoner and forced to participate in a deadly game that puts them at odds with a slew of clownish killers.

Why Rob Zombie Fans Should Watch It: A statistic which states that more people go missing in the United States on Halloween than any other day of the year served as the central inspiration for 31, which often feels like how the Saw movies might have turned out if the they were conceived by one Rob Zombie.

Stream 31 on IMDb TV. Rent/Buy 31 on Amazon.

You know, I really wanted to include Grindhouse on this list for Rob Zombie’s hysterical and colossally messed-up faux trailer for Werewolf Women of the S.S. However, the only way to properly experience Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s 2007 double feature, in my opinion, is the full theatrical cut which is not available to stream or even rent on any digital platforms at the moment. Luckily, you can bask in the delicious depravity of Zombie's fake preview on YouTube, too.

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It was in March of 2020 when rumors began to suggest that Rob Zombie, helmer of some of the weirdest horror movies in recent memory, was going to write and direct a movie based on The Munsters - the creepy and kooky 1960s sitcom not called The Addams Family. I bet you never expected that those rumors would one day be confirmed as the truth.

Well, to be perfectly honest, I had my doubts that a new interpretation of lab-created creature Herman, half-vampire Lily, and the rest of the beloved family of fright from the rock star-turned-filmmaker would actually happen. However, to be even more honest, the idea of Rob Zombie doing a Munsters movie actually makes a lot of sense to me and even excites me a bit. Now, at risk of sounding crazier than some of the characters in other Rob Zombie movies, allow me to explain.

The Munsters Is Due For A Remake, Something Rob Zombie Has Tried Pretty Well

I suppose it was inevitable that we would start off on a controversial note, and for more than one reason, too.

I have always admired The Munsters (my fiancée and I dressed as Herman and Lily on Halloween 2020) and would hate to see the legacy of Ed Haas and Norm Lieberman’s classic comedy tarnished by an unworthy reboot. However, I do not believe such a thing could ever happen since, after a number of attempted Munsters reboots (most recently with 2012’s failed Mockingbird Lane pilot), the series remains a lasting cultural phenomenon. Thus, I am open to giving a new take on the concept another chance and especially if in the hands of someone like Rob Zombie, who gave remaking Halloween a decent try... right?

Okay, admittedly, I, like many others, have my issues with the 2007 retelling of John Carpenter’s genre-defining 1978 slasher (and one of the best horror movies ever), especially for its concerning attempt at humanizing Michael Myers, its absence of any real suspense, and overall needlessness, to be frank. Yet, even I would still argue that Rob Zombie’s Halloween stands on its own as an intriguing attempt at reinventing the story with an all new, daringly exploitative tone, even if I personally do not believe it works as an honorable tribute to what makes the original a classic. I do, however, believe that Zombie has a firm idea of what makes the original Munsters a classic.

The Munsters Are Social Outcasts, Something Rob Zombie Understands Well

The gimmick behind The Munsters is that each member of the modern, suburban family is based on a specific figure of traditional horror. Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne) is a science experiment a la Frankenstein’s Monster, Lily Munster (Yvonne DeCarlo) is a vampire whose father - referred to as Grandpa (Al Lewis) - is literally Count Dracula, and young Eddie Munster is a werewolf. For whatever reason, Lily’s niece Marilyn Munster (Beverly Owen and, later, Pat Priest) is the only one who acts and appears normal by society’s standards while the rest have a very difficult time fitting in.

The Munsters’ struggle with social isolation is key as to why I believe Rob Zombie’s movie could really work as that theme is prevalent throughout most of his filmography. Just take a look at his signature Firefly trilogy (House of 1000 Corpses from 2003, 2005’s The Devil’s Rejects, and the 2019 Shudder exclusive 3 From Hell) - all starring the late Sid Haig - and you will see that, at their core, these are all stories of people rejected by the masses, but treat that aspect of themselves as a badge of honor, just as The Munsters do. Of course, the biggest difference is that The Munsters (in addition to actually being likable) are not so aware of how strange they are, which is where the comedy comes from.

The Munsters Is Dark Comedy, Something Rob Zombie Has Done Well

I think we have spent too much time being disturbed - or, at least, bewildered - by Rob Zombie’s work that we often forget he does have a sense of humor. I mean, it is certainly a wickedly morbid sense of humor, as best exemplified through Sid Haig’s performance as the clownish Captain Spaulding, the pure insanity of his 2009 animated film The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, and his insane fake trailer for Werewolf Women of the S.S., featuring his friend Nicolas Cage, in Grindhouse from 2007.

That being said, anybody who calls themselves a fan of The Munsters should realize that dark comedy was always the life blood of that series and, hopefully, would be able to understand and accept if it got a bit darker for Rob Zombie’s movie. Besides, with how boldly exploitative horror-comedy movies have become, it would only makes sense that the Munsters’ adventures get a little bloodier than they may have appeared in grayscale, which brings me to my next and final point.

The Munsters Have Never Been Scary, But Scary Is Something Rob Zombie Can Do Well

When you think of The Munsters, you think of a bunch of harmless, friendly adults at a Halloween party who take cosplay very seriously, but not as the true nature of their characters as depicted by traditional horror lore. If the creators went by the book, Herman would be a feral beast slowly struggling to be human (which is isn’t too far off from his behavior in retrospect); Lily, Grandpa, and Eddie would have insatiable appetites that make them a danger to others, and Marilyn (whose condition is more unique) would probably be a homebody with a very low opinion of herself based on her family’s standards of acceptance. Most importantly, it might have actually been enough to scare viewers.

I, for one, would love to see a version of The Munsters that actually does have the ability to scare by honoring the macabre nature of the original iconography the characters are based on and presenting it in a more bizarre and extreme way than ever before. Now, to be clear, I would hope that Rob Zombie, as a lifelong lover of the original series, would realize the importance preserving the series’ fun and playful tone amid the more grim aesthetic he might incorporate. However, when it comes the family’s pet dragon, Spot, I say he should have all the freedom in the world to make that beast as disturbing as possible.

Even with all the reasons I have presented here, I could still understand why some people may not be on board with the idea of this reboot and I would be lying if I said I was not at least a little skeptical. Yet, Rob Zombie said in his Instagram post confirming his involvement with The Munsters movie that he has been chasing this project for 20 years, which should be enough of a reason to trust that he is taking this opportunity very seriously. Plus, as a filmmaker as undeniably unique and passionate for the horror genre as he is, it would be wrong not to give him a shot and see what 1313 Mockingbird Lane looks like through his eyes.

I’ve loved Rob Zombie ever since his White Zombie days. So back in 2003, when I heard that Rob Zombie movies would be a thing, I was pumped. Few musicians are as theatric as Rob Zombie. Plus, one needs look no further than how creative he could be on the screen than his brief animated segment in Beavis and Butt-Head Do America where Beavis and Butt-head were dying in the desert.

From House of 1000 Corpses to his most recent effort, 3 From Hell (plus two Halloween movies in-between) Rob Zombie has had a pretty interesting career as a filmmaker. But what’s his best movie? Interestingly, out of his 8 films, many people are uncertain as to what his best movie is. But one thing is certain, and that’s… DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES! AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES! I SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA! Sorry. I just had to do it.

8. Halloween 2 (2009)

I’m going to be honest. Halloween 2 is one of the worst Halloween movies I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen the Halloween with Busta Rhymes in it. In this sequel, Michael Myers wants to get the family back together. And to do so, he’s going to go on a violent rampage. And what the hell, for good measure, Laurie Strode is also going to be a murderer, too. I think?

Because that’s the thing about Halloween 2. It doesn’t make any sense. The story seems simple enough, but it isn’t. Sheri Moon Zombie stars as Mama Strode, and she makes appearances with a white horse because…reasons? I don’t know. Halloween 2 is just an absolute mess. And even though I’ve seen it twice, I still don’t understand what I’m supposed to get out of it. Thank God we never got a part 3.

7. The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto (2009)

I knew Rob Zombie should pursue animation after that aforementioned scene in Beavis and Butthead Do America. That said, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto really doesn’t do it for me. It’s about a Luchador (voiced by Tom Papa) and his sister sidekick (voiced by Sheri Moon Zombie) who have to stop a devil named Dr. Satan (voiced by Paul Giamatti) from marrying a demonic stripper (voiced by Rosario Dawson). Vulgarity ensues.

To be honest, this is probably more me than the film, as it had cult status written all over it as soon as it released back in 2009. As part of Zombie’s Firefly films (which also includes House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, and 3 From Hell), you would think that I would love this movie. But it’s very different from those films and feels much more like a more perverse version of Ren and Stimpy, but not nearly as funny. Which is a shame, too, since again, I think Rob Zombie’s unique mind is perfectly suited for animation.

6. 3 From Hell (2019)

A lot of people dislike Rob Zombie’s latest since it barely contains any of Sid Haig in it. But that’s because Sid Haig was seriously ill during filming, and this was his last movie. In his stead, we got Otis’s half-brother, Winslow (played by Richard Brake) who has to help Otis break Baby out of prison. The three of them eventually get embroiled in a vendetta concerning one of their victim’s sons.

But the whole film just feels unnecessary. There are some cool scenes and lots of violence, but Winslow Coltrane is not a great substitute for the irreplaceable Captain Spaulding, and the movie suffers for it. It’s an okay end to the trilogy, but one that feels like it didn’t even need to be made.

5. The Lords Of Salem (2012)

I’ll never forget when I took my wife to see The Lords of Salem. She fell asleep and was awoken by a loud noise. Groggily, she turned to me and said, “This is the last time you’re picking our movies.” And it was. The movie is about a disc jockey (played by Sheri Moon Zombie) who goes into a trance whenever a bizarre record plays, and she has visions of a coven.

The rest of the movie is atmospheric horror that succeeds to varying degrees. On one hand, the slow pacing works in its favor since it’s creepy throughout. But on the other hand, the eventual payoff isn’t worth the slog. Even so, it’s the most unique movie in Rob Zombie’s filmography, so at least it has that going for it.

4. 31 (2016)

31 is like if Salo and Saw 2 had a baby. It’s about 5 carnies who get kidnapped by these three old dudes donning make-up and wigs. The carnies are forced to endure 12 hours of being hunted by killer clowns.

It might sound ridiculous, but it’s seriously balls to the wall! It’s super violent, but in a fun way. Sherri Moon Zombie (who else?) stars, but the other carnies are fun, too, and Malcolm McDowell is great as Father Napoleon-Horatio-Silas-Murder. An enjoyable film, through and through that all’s killer and very little filler.

3. Halloween (2007)

Who knew we needed a Michael Myers origin story? Granted, the first half of the movie is much better than the second half when Michael Myers is fully grown up and killing people, but even that part is leagues better than its horrendous sequel.

There’s not really much to say about Rob Zombie’s first Halloween besides that it’s really good. The first half is unlike anything else in the Halloween franchise, and it stands out for that. Plus, the kills in the second half are visceral and satisfying. But what happened with that sequel? Jeez!

2. House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

In Rob Zombie’s first film, four college kids travel to Texas to see a murder tour and end up being a part of it. This is where we get introduced to the Firefly family which includes Otis (Bill Moseley), Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), and Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig).

This is my favorite Rob Zombie movie since it’s more of a comedy than a horror movie. It’s pretty much a rip-off of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but it’s somehow really unique. The characters are Zombie’s most interesting (My favorite is Grandpa Hugo), and it’s just so damn entertaining. That said…

1. The Devil's Rejects

I’m well aware that more people prefer The Devil’s Rejects. It’s the sequel to House of 1000 Corpses, and it’s about the Firefly family terrorizing people, but also on the run from a brutal police officer played by William Forsythe.

The Devil’s Rejects is a pitch-black film devoid of humor besides a couple of scenes. Bill Moseley is terrifying as Otis, and it’s a movie that goes into such dark places that you feel icky at times for watching it. While I prefer House of 1000 Corpses for its personality, I greatly respect The Devil’s Rejects for its ugliness. No other film feels like it.

Rob Zombie is legendary in the director’s seat and on the stage. But what are your favorite Rob Zombie movies? Sound off in the comments.

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The horror genre has been in an exciting renaissance for the past few years, with plenty of original movies hitting theaters to critical and box office acclaim. But some classic franchises have also enjoyed this success, including Blumhouse's 2018 take on Halloween. The success of the timeline-altering slasher has inspired two more sequels, but it turns out that we could have gotten another Halloween title before Rob Zombie's own 2007 remake.

Rob Zombie revealed his own take on Michael Myers and Laurie Strode's story during his pair of Halloween movies. They were noticeably meaner and more violent than John Carpenter's original, but managed to make money at the box office. But it turns out that another movie set in the same timeline as Halloween: Resurrection was originally planned by screenwriterJake Wade Wall titled Halloween: The Missing Years. He recently explained the story behind this scrapped entry into the franchise, saying:

FOMO alert. It looks like Michael Myers could have had yet another big screen rampage during the original franchise, before the idea for Halloween: The Missing Years was ultimately scrapped. While this made way for Rob Zombie's pair of movies, fans of the property are no doubt curious about what Jake Wade Wall's script would have entailed. And now Missing Year's title seems all the more appropriate.

Jake Wade Wall's comments to Bloody Disgusting is sure to blow the minds of a few horror fans, especially those who are invested in John Carpenter's iconic Halloween franchise. While Halloween: Resurrection failed to perform (and unceremoniously killed of Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode), it turns out that another movie set within the main franchise could have happened prior to Rob Zombie's movies. But The Missing Years never made it past the development stage, to the dismay of its writer.

Later in his same interview, Jake Wade Wall explained his idea for Halloween: The Missing Years. And surprisingly it turns out that he was hoping to tie up some narrative threads that were left with OG threequel Season of the Witch. You know, the only Halloween movie without Michael Myers. As he explained,

Well, this is intriguing. Halloween III: Season of the Witch gets a bad wrap among horror fans, as the movie somehow doesn't include Michael Myers. This was a bold narrative choice that didn't necessarily work out, and it looks like Jake Wade Wall was hoping to retcon and explain The Shape's absence in The Missing Years. Unfortunately, that never saw the light of day.

In the end, Rob Zombie was given creative control over his pair of Halloween movies. The films included a new teenage Laurie Strode as a teenager in the modern world. The movies are grueling and bloody, as the filmmaker is wont to do. But when his Halloween II failed to perform at the box office, the franchise ended up in hibernation until 2018's Halloween movie hit theaters and broke records.

The beloved franchise will continue with Halloween Kills on October 15, 2021, a year after its original release date. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your trips to the movies next year

Last night, the Emmys honored those industry figures that passed away over the last year in the In Memoriam segment, and now sadly another name can be added to that list. News broke earlier this morning that actor Sid Haig has passed away on Saturday at the age of 80. The horror legend was a veteran actor with well over 100 film and TV credits to his name and Hollywood reacted to his death with sadness and happy memories of a man much kinder than the characters he often played.

There has been an outpouring of love and condolences from fans and filmmakers alike, but first, take a look at the announcement of Sid Haig’s death from his wife, Susan L. Oberg.

According to Variety, Sid Haig suffered a fall several weeks ago and once at the hospital, he wound up having serious breathing complications. The actor eventually succumbed to a lung infection and as you can see, his death was a shock to his family and loved ones, who are obviously heartbroken.

To his wife and family he was Sidney, but to many fans Sid Haig was Captain Spaulding from Rob Zombie’s horror trilogy, which includes House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects and the recently released 3 From Hell. Rob Zombie took to Instagram to remember the man who brought his horror creation to life.

Reliving fond memories is the best anyone can do when a friend and loved one passes and for Rob Zombie, he chose to look back at the beginning of the journey he and Sid Haig went on together, at something that became so much more than that beginning suggested. Captain Spaulding is a horror icon for many and that’s far from Sid Haig’s only contribution to horror. Ryan Turek, VP of Film Development at Blumhouse took to Twitter to offer his gratitude to Sid Haig.

“Especially the fans” Ryan Turek said and this is a common thing we are hearing in light of Sid Haig’s death: how kind he was and how generous he was to fans with his time at conventions. Don Mancini, the creator of Chucky and shepherd of the Child’s Play franchise also remembered Sid Haig for his kindness.

Another horror vet, special effects makeup artist, actor and director Tom Savini also took to Twitter to say farewell to his friend Sid Haig.

Calling him a historical landmark gives a sense of the indelible mark Sid Haig left on those he knew and his corner of the industry. Even those not known for horror films, or really the film industry in general, are saddened by Sid’s passing. One of those people is wrestler Jerry Lawler.

In addition to his most famous work in Rob Zombie’s horror films, Sid Haig also starred in films like Foxy Brown, Bone Tomahawk, George Lucas’ THX 1138 and Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown. Among horror fans and those who knew him, it is clear that he will not be forgotten.

3 From Hell arrives on home video on October 15. Our condolences go out to Sid Haig’s family and loved ones.

The horror genre may be in a renaissance, but it's one built on long-standing franchises and sequels. John Carpenter's Halloween changed the movie landscape when it debut back in 1978, helping to make slashers a profitable subgenre. It's a franchise that has never been far from theaters, with a whopping ten sequels released and two more are on the way. Two of these movies came from a reboot directed by Rob Zombie, but it turns out that the experience wasn't good for the filmmaker/musician.

Rob Zombie directed Halloween and its sequel Halloween II in 2007 and 2009 respectively, using the same characters from Carpenter's original. But he brought them into the modern age, and amped up the gore, violence, and cruelty to the extreme. It's a choice that didn't jive well with fans of the property, and Rob Zombie didn't have a good time making the films. As he put it:

Well, that's not good. Rob Zombie's Halloween made a solid profit when it debuted in 2007, bringing Michael Myers back to theaters to massacre Laurie Strode and her friends. Eventually a sequel was green lit, but that doesn't mean making the movie was enjoyable for the filmmaker.

Unfortunately, making Halloween under the Weinstein Company proved challenging for Rob Zombie. He calls it downright miserable, which sounds like no way to take point on a major movie remake. What's more, he maintains that the process of crafting Halloween II was even worse than the first one. I'm not sure what is worse than miserable, but it can't be good.

Related: The Halloween Franchise Was Never Giving Rob Zombie A Third Movie

I have to wonder how the poor experience ultimately affected Halloween and Halloween II, which were both critical failures when they hit theaters. They also largely failed to resonate with hardcore fans of the franchise (and John Carpenter), as the pair of movies relied heavily on gore, and didn't retain the true nature of its characters.

In his same conversation with Forbes, Rob Zombie spoke to a behind the scenes documentary that could prove his claims of the poor working environment. As he put it:

Yikes. It looks like the poor response to Rob Zombie's Halloween might not lie on the director himself. He wasn't happy with what was happening on set, although no specific details were provided regarding what studio interference might have been like.

The Halloween franchise will continue when Halloween Kills hit theaters on October 16, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The horror genre has been on a serious roll in the past few years, with many of the biggest hits coming from acclaimed horror studio Blumhouse. After bringing projects like Get Out and Happy Death Day to theaters, Blumhouse recently pivoted its focus to the classics, with David Gordon Green's Halloween. The new sequel has been breaking records for the franchise, but it wasn't long ago that Rob Zombie released his pair of Halloween flicks.

The Rob Zombie Halloween movies were released in 2007 and 2009, and were a major step away from the traditions of the franchise. Ultra violent and cruel, some hardcore fans of the franchise took umbrage with Zombie's vision. And according to Halloween producer Malek Akkad, they were never going to give him a threequel.

While not making any sort of comments toward Rob Zombie's vision, Malek Akkad and the powers that be didn't have an interest in a third movie. So fans were left waiting 9 years in between Halloween II and Blumhouse's recent sequel.

Malek Akkad's comments to Bloody Disgusting really highlight how much the Halloween franchise has changed throughout the years. While they all star a murderous Michael Myers, the vision and amount of gore used has been altered with each new sequel. And when Rob Zombie came on, he definitely made his mark on the classic slasher property.

John Carpenter's 1978 classic Halloween relied on a tense tone, and the slow build of chaos in Haddonfield. The kills are relatively blood free, and Laurie Strode's final conflict with Michael Myers is tame compared to what horror audiences have grown accustomed to. The OG Scream queen got out with just a small cut on her arm.

But when Rob Zombie brought his sensibilities to Halloween, he stepped up the violence in a major way. Bringing Laurie and her friends to a modern setting, and Michael ripped them apart brutally. Because those sequels were built upon the director's vision, Malek Akkad didn't think anyone else could continue with a threequel.

The current Halloween movie went back to basics, with David Gordon Green and Danny McBride taking heavy inspiration from John Carpenter's original movie. Its a choice that has resonated with audiences, with another sequel seemingly inevitable.

Halloween is in theaters now. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

For hardcore moviegoers, the autumn months usually mean one thing: at least one new horror movie. There's nothing like a scary movie in October, and Blumhouse is currently reaping the benefits of this trend with its new Halloween sequel. Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode is back 40 years after the events in the original film, telling a story about trauma, perseverance, and vengeance. However, it wasn't long ago that director Rob Zombie released his own set of Halloween movies.

Rob Zombie's Halloween movies hit theaters in 2007 and 2009, and were a stark juxtaposition to John Carpenter's original, not to mention the myriad sequels that preceded them. Zombie stepped up the violence and cruelty of the franchise, and recently spoke about his contributions to Halloween, and why he has no interest in returning to the iconic horror property.

Wowza. There's a lot to unpack here, about not only Halloween and Rob Zombie's history with horror, but also why it's so difficult to properly reboot the classic horror franchise. Given the current trend of nostalgia, the latter might be especially important for certain producers and filmmakers to take into consideration before green lighting a new project.

It's interesting that in the wake of a successful take on the Halloween lore, Rob Zombie is saying he wouldn't want to return to that particular franchise. Perhaps people wouldn't be excited about Zombie returning to the franchise, but since we could theoretically get a sequel to 2018's Halloween, it's interesting he'd take himself out of the game completely. No interest is no interest, I suppose.

Rob Zombie's comments to Games Radar come in the wake of Halloween's absolutely massive success at the box office. David Gordon Green's new sequel was made on a paltry $10 million budget, and has already accrued $172.1 million in its first few weeks in theaters. The movie has broken records for an October openings, the slasher genre, and the Halloween franchise as a whole. Unfortunately, Zombie didn't fare quite as luckily with his two movies, which have a tone separate from the property.

Despite being made a decade ago, Rob Zombie's Halloween movies actually had a larger budget than the one that's currently in theaters. They were both made with $15 million, but only the first movie ended up making much of a profit, totaling at $80.3 million. But Halloween II (aka Zombie's favorite) only made $39.4 million, and Rob Zombie didn't continue his version of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers' feud with a threequel. Although given just how different Zombie's vision was from John Carpenter's groundbreaking 1978 original, this may have been a positive outcome for the hardcore fandom.

Rob Zombie also addressed how difficult it is to reboot iconic horror franchises. Properties like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th have their own level of iconography, due to the groundbreaking nature of their inception. As such, it's hard for a director to come in and take any sort of creative liberties with its villains and settings. Rob Zombie attempted to do just this with his Halloween movies, and seems to have gotten a ton of blowback from fans.

The Zombie Halloween movies took Laurie Strode and her teenage friends into a modern setting, and transformed Michael Myers into a hulking and terrifying physical presence. Rather than slowly stalking and suspenseful taking out his victims, Michael was brutally violent, with both Halloween and Halloween II almost bordering on the torture porn subgenre. It was around this time that the Saw and Hostel franchises were making buckets of money, and the horror world was covered in even more blood than usual.

Blumhouse's Halloween didn't try to reinvent the wheel or make drastic changes to the Halloween franchise. Quite the opposite; David Gordon Green and writer Danny McBride have continually voiced their reverence for John Carpenter's original movie, and attempted to use the same tone as the 1978 original. And after getting some advice and the new music from Carpenter himself, the finished product ended up much more classic than any of the franchise's myriad sequels.

That's not to say that the new Halloween didn't craft an original story. Blumhouse's sequel ignored all of the franchise's sequels, no longer making Michael Myers and Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode long lost siblings. Additionally, Laurie was shown to never have left Haddonfield, and both a daughter and granddaughter were added to the story to bring new dynamics to the long running property.

Rob Zombie's point about rebooting classic horror movies does stand to reason, although that's never stopped studios from bringing more sequels to theaters. The last Nightmare on Elm Street movie arrived back in 2010, with Watchmen actor Jackie Earle Haley replacing the iconic Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. Wes Craven protested this movie's production since he wasn't involved, although it ended up making solid money at the box office. Regardless, it wasn't enough of a success to continue the franchise, and Freddy has been absent from theaters and our nightmares since.

Friday the 13th is a similarly iconic horror franchise, which has had a difficult time making its way back to theaters. The property has been passed around to a few studios, but no one has been able to bring Jason Voorhees back from the dead. The last installment in the franchise was back in 2009, and is still the second best selling of the property. But since then, Jason has mostly been killing camp counselors through the popular Friday the 13th video game.

You can catch Halloween in theaters now. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the upcoming year.

After more than a decade since the original, Rob Zombie's 2005 film The Devil's Rejects is getting a sequel. It is being reporting that Rob Zombie is in fact returning to the director's chair for a follow-up to one of his best-reviewed films. Here's what else we know.

Given the finality of the way the original ended, a true sequel seems unlikely. Therefore, it is unclear as of yet what form this film will take. Will it be a reboot or a prequel? Or perhaps it will be some sort of spinoff set in the same universe as The Devil's Rejects and the film that begat it, Zombie's directorial debut, 2003's House of 1000 Corpses. Details, as reported by Bloody Disgusting, are scarce at the moment so we don't know anything about the story, when this will shoot, or how soon we can see it in theaters.

The Devil's Rejects told the story of the murderous Firefly family in Ruggsville, Texas. A group of serial killers, they escape a police raid on their home with plans to continue doing the devil's work. To do so, they must contend with the vicious and vengeful Sheriff Wydell, who is intent on ending their sadism and their lives.

For fans of Rob Zombie's work and horror in general, a sequel should come as welcome news. Zombie's films, though divisive, are unique and distinctly his own in the horror landscape. The Devil's Rejects has even become something of a cult classic, with many die-hard fans of the film out there who no doubt will love this news. Big-screen horror is having something of a renaissance in the past year or two, receiving both critical acclaim and commercial success, so that makes now as good a time as any to return to The Devil's Rejects.

Horror sequels don't always hit their mark, but there is certainly precedent for success. And even though it has been over a decade since the original, if Avatar and Twin Peaks are any indication, it is never too late to return to a beloved property.

If you don't remember The Devil's Rejects or missed it the first time around, give this a watch.

Rob Zombie's last directorial effort was was 2016's 31, which had difficulty getting an R rating given his trademark gore and violence. Most recently, he provided his voice for frequent collaborator James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all the latest horror news, including these Upcoming Horror Movies that we are dying to see, as well as future updates on The Devil's Rejects sequel.

Remakes seem to be a dime a dozen in Hollywood these days, particularly in the horror genre. Some of these remakes do great things with the original material (such as Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead), while others do absolutely nothing and retread well-worn territory (such as Flatliners). However, in the pantheon of horror remakes, there's nothing quite like Rob Zombie's gritty, dirty, and downright polarizing Halloween remake from 2007.

With the Halloween franchise set to return to its original continuity when the latest installment in the franchise debuts next year on October 19, we figured now would be a great time to look back on Rob Zombie's Halloween ten years after its initial debut to figure out what worked and what didn't. We have many points to get to, so let's kick this list off with the remake's increased focus on Loomis' relationship with Michael.

Worked: Focusing On Dr. Loomis And Michael

Although the later movies in the Halloween franchise would eventually dive into the deep connection between Dr. Sam Loomis and Michael Myers, the original film actually doesn't feature too much connective tissue between them ---other than Loomis' fear of Michael. For the remake, Rob Zombie went in the opposite direction to focus almost entirely on the relationship they built over fifteen years at Smith's Grove sanitarium . The result is a commendable reinvention of this iconic relationship and a nice change of pace for a franchise that has kept things consistent for decades.

Didn't Work: We Don't Meet Laurie Until One Hour Into The Film

As a lousy tradeoff for more emphasis on the dynamic between Michael and Dr. Loomis, we don't meet the updated version of Laurie Strode until well over halfway through the movie. An hour of runtime passes before we see Laurie enter her kitchen on Halloween morning, and the film doesn't give us nearly enough time to get to know her and root for her as Michael gradually closes in over the course of the day -- which was very much the case for the first film. Rob Zombie short-changed Laurie in the service of Loomis and Michael, and it wasn't a great decision in the long run.

Worked: The Music

The Halloween franchise has one of most (if not THE most) recognizable soundtracks in the history of the horror genre. John Carpenter's piano-based original theme sets one of the best atmospheres that we have ever felt in a scary flick, and Rob Zombie wisely leans into the music from the original film -- with some updates by composer Tyler Bates thrown in for good measure. The music is a bit more haunting and heavy metal when compared to the rest of the franchise, but embracing the music nevertheless helps this feel like a bonafide Halloween movie.

Didn't Work: The Grimy Aesthetic

However, as much as the music helps establish a tone that fans have come to expect from a Halloween movie, the dirty and grimy aesthetic kills much of that in the process. At its core, Halloween is supposed to be a story about evil coming to a sleepy little town that has seldom (if ever) experienced real violence. Rob Zombie throws that idea out the window by crafting a world full of thugs, rapists, and downright dirty individuals, and it sometimes feels like it guts the original movie of what it was trying to say about life in suburbia.

Worked: The Recreation Of The Original Movie

Once Michael has obtained his mask and set out on his mission to stalk Laurie Strode and her friends through Haddonfield, Rob Zombie's Halloween starts to shine. The sequences that take place on Halloween night are shockingly faithful to the original movie, but with a few left turns (Annie doesn't die) and some great scares thrown in for good measure. Moreover, Zombie arguably improves on Scout Taylor-Compton's Laurie because he makes her far more capable and skilled in her fight against Michael -- rather than continually turning her back whenever he goes down, which happens A LOT in the first movie.

Didn't Work: Michael's Origin Story

Despite the fact that Halloween works really well as a remake in many of its third act scenes, the first act is admittedly tough to get through. Making Michael a disturbed child is an exciting twist on the core mythology of the character, but Rob Zombie takes it way too far by making Michael a full-blown murderer even before he decides to kill Judith Myers. Many fans have long argued that Michael always worked better without a definitive origin story, and Zombie's attempt to give him one inadvertently proved them right.

Worked: Michael's Mask

With the possible exception of the original Halloween movie from 1978, Rob Zombie's Halloween arguably features the best version of the iconic William Shatner mask ever committed to film. The early scenes of its immaculate, ghost-like face feel like the film was brought back in a time machine from the set of the original movie, and decision to naturally age the mask and have him return to it when he comes back to Haddonfield helps give it a more personal connection to his rampage through his hometown. As far as serial killer masks go, this is one of the best.

Didn't Work: Michael's Size

This may seem like a minor quibble to the average viewer, but making Michael Myers into an enormous, lumbering man takes away much of the original charm of the character. He's not Jason Voorhees or Leatherface; he's not supposed to be big, strong, or physically imposing. Michael is what happens when a good kid turns bad, but his overwhelming size in the updated version of the film creates the sense that he was always destined to turn into something not quite human. It's a small detail, but it takes away from an otherwise fascinating version of the character.

Worked: Malcolm McDowell and Danielle Harris

Out of everything that Rob Zombie does right with his Halloween adaptation one of the best decisions made was the decision to enlist the impressive acting chops of Malcolm McDowell and Danielle Harris. McDowell, an actor who needs no introduction for horror fans, is a certified icon for his portrayal of Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange, and he imbues Sam Loomis with something different compared to Donald Pleasance's version. Harris, on the other hand, is an icon specific to the Halloween franchise -- having played Laurie Strode's daughter Jamie in Halloween 4 and 5.

Didn't Work: Practically No Characters Are Likable

However, as much as fans of the Halloween franchise have come to love those two performers in the horror genre, it can't change the fact that almost none of the characters in Rob Zombie's version of Halloween are likable. Laurie Strode is immediately introduced as mean-spirited and nasty to other people, Loomis seems far more interested in the fame Michael will bring him than actually helping his patient, and most of the other personalities that populate Haddonfield just feel like they have far more business being in The Devil's Rejects or Texas Chainsaw Massacre than a Halloween film.

Cameos are a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From Stan Lee's regular appearances in every single Marvel adventure to the Bluth Company stair car in Civil War's now iconic airport sequence, Marvel directors have never shied away from including obscure references to pop culture icons. Now it appears that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be no different in that regard. We still have a few months left until James Gunn's sci-fi sequel hits theaters, but it now seems that iconic heavy metal frontman and filmmaker Rob Zombie may have a cameo in the film. Check out Zombie's Instagram post below to see for yourself.

Rob Zombie posted the above Instagram photo last night, and it seems that he's joining the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in an unspecified cameo role. The caption of the photo specifically mentions that he's involved in the film for a voiceover part, which leads us to believe that his gravelly vocals will be suitably applied to a gruff looking alien at some point during the movie.

It's worth acknowledging that Rob Zombie has made a cameo in this franchise before. He lent his voice to a Ravager during the events of the original Guardians of the Galaxy, so we won't be shocked if that same character makes another appearance as a member of Yondu's (Michael Rooker) group. That said, as this cameo will be in the form of a voiceover, it's entirely possible that Zombie may have an entirely new role in this film. We will have to wait and see.

Considering Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's ability to keep most of its secret intact so far, it seems highly likely that we may not know who Rob Zombie specifically portrays in the film until it finally hits theaters. Then again, we didn't even notice his cameo the first time around, so we might have to look extra hard just to catch it.

One thing that's also worth thinking about is Rob Zombie's music, and how that might be applied to the Guardians sequel. Rob Zombie has become one of the most iconic metal frontmen of the last few decades, and music has always played a significant role in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. It seems unlikely that Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) would ever put a Rob Zombie song on one of his Awesome Mixes, but I would not be terribly surprised to hear some of his music during the film. Honestly, Drax (Dave Bautista) would probably love it.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will blast its way into theaters later this year on May 5.

Check out a trailer for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy sequel on the next page for an even closer look at the next adventure for Marvel's favorite band of cosmic misfits!

The horror genre is a funny thing. While filmmakers are constantly trying to push the boundaries and produce a horror flick that is wholly original and will scare the crap out of people, there's something about the classics that are just plain better. Movies like Friday the 13th, A Nightmare On Elm Street, and Halloween truly changed the genre for the better, and their respective villains will be iconic and beloved by fans of the genre forever. Chief among these legends is Michael Meyers and Halloween, created by horror legend John Carpenter. However, Carpenter's involvement in the franchise is essentially non-existent at this point, and therefore he has some strong opinions about the various additions to the canon. This includes Rob Zombie's 2007 bloody reinvention of the character.

John Carpenter has remained fairly tight lipped about his thoughts on the 2007 version of Halloween, as well as its director. But during a recent interview with New York Film Academy Students (via iHorror) he didn't hold back, saying:

Shots fired. Let's break down exactly what John Carpenter's problems with Halloween, as well as the other issues he didn't bother to mention. His comments about Rob Zombie seem to speak for themselves.

John Carpenter's biggest problem with 2007's Halloween is that the story attempted to flesh out the character of Michael Meyers and further explain his origin. In the traditional movies, Michael is simply a disturbed young boy who is shipped away after murdering his sister on Halloween. Fifteen years later he returns back to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. Later films would reveal that Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode is actually Michael's other sister, and that his attack was calculated for that reason. Rob Zombie's Halloween; however, really fleshes out Michael's childhood and history of violence. Additionally, we see Dr. Loomis' treatment of Michael while at Smith's Grove Sanitarium.

While this might have been an interesting development for hardcore fans of the franchise, John Carpenter maintains that it is a disservice to the character. What makes Michael so terrifying is how little we know about him, besides his penchant for sharp knives and Jamie Lee Curtis. Additionally, he maintains that the physical size of the 2007 Michael Meyers was practically inhuman, which makes him less scary.

However, John Carpenter failed to mention how the violence in Rob Zombie's Halloween is far more gruesome than the franchise normally is. This really took me out of the movie, as well as its sequel.

Do you agree with John Carpenter's thoughts on Halloween? Or did Rob Zombie adapt the movie well for a more modern audience? Sound off in the comments below.

Rob Zombie movies can get, for lack of a better word, intense. With blood, gore, and sex ruling the day, his love for the days of grindhouse films has rubbed off on each film he's made, with the same level of intensity throughout. So the fact that his latest film, 31, has been rated NC-17 isn't a surprise. It's the fact that it's gone through two separate evaluations with the same result that's frustrating.

Zombie broke the news on his Facebook page, during an update on the film's on-going march to its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival next month. As you can read in his status update below, this film does not have an easy ride from post-production to the silver screen:

If an NC-17 film could be shown as widely as an R rated film, you could tell that Rob Zombie would release the film into theaters in a heartbeat. But the cold, hard reality is, like the man himself said, if a movie lands the infamous rating of NC-17, it has pretty much no chance at wide distribution. Just ask anyone involved with the release of horror indie Lucky Bastard, as well as Blue Is The Warmest Color, and they'll tell you that if a film is unrated or slapped with the most restrictive rating on the scale, it's probably better of going onto VOD.

So what's so bad about 31 that's cursed it with the worst rating possible? Well, according to Zombie's post, the following descriptors were attached to the MPAA's decision.

Basically, the film sounds like the usual fare that accompanies a Rob Zombie film, and he hasn't had too many problems getting films like Halloween or even the original House Of 1000 Corpses through the censors without making too many cuts. It's hard to put our finger on just what could be so different about 31 that sets it apart from all of the other Zombie films. If we were to venture a guess, we'd say that the personal politics of the MPAA are what is dictating this specific decision.

While violence in the media isn't any more widespread than usual, the fact that active shooting incidents were outnumbering the days in the year at one point might have convinced the MPAA to obliquely shut down 31's chances of being seen by audiences. Those in power may feel that having a film showcasing, and in some viewpoints glorifying, the lives of vicious criminals could only add fuel to the fire. In any case, we're hoping that the MPAA and Rob Zombie somehow strike an accord that has the film seen by the audiences, and with the least amount of drama possible.

In just a little over a month, Starz will be premiering Ash vs Evil Dead on Halloween night, thus cementing it as one of the coolest TV networks to ever exist. And it seems like the execs are fully interested in keeping the horror comedy train rolling, as they’re putting into development the genre-mashing series Trapped, which boasts the unpredictable executive producer pairing of actress Mila Kunis and rocker-turned-filmmaker (but still rocker) Rob Zombie. This should be interesting.

Beyond his producer duties, Zombie will also serve as a director on Trapped, which is the creation of writer Joey Slamon, who worked on Season 4 of Arrested Development and the TruTV comedy Those Who Can’t. This is a pretty sweet concept, too, as Trapped is being planned as a set of half-hour episodes that all take place over the course of one night. What’s happening on that night, you ask? Only a wealthy family falling under the attack of a murderous cult is all.

It sounds a little bit like You’re Next (and plenty of other home invasion thrillers) mixed with…24 maybe? It’s likely that Slamon got her ideas for Trapped while working on Arrested Development, as Season 4 took an entire season to disjointedly tell the events of a relatively short span of time. It’s not a format that too many shows have tried in the past – it was most recently conquered by Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp – and I’m sure continuity is a nightmare for something like that. But then this show is about a nightmarish situation anyway, so I guess it fits.

Kunis, who hasn’t really been a part of a horror production since 1995’s Piranha (unless you count Black Swan as horror), will be producing under her company Orchid Farm Productions, which was set up last year. The only other film she worked on in the executive producer role was last year’s The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, which she also starred in. She won’t be seen but heard in the upcoming animated feature Hell and Back and Season 14 of Family Guy, which premieres on September 27.

Zombie, meanwhile, has been working within the horror genre for ages, starting with his band White Zombie. He first got into writing and directing films in 2003 with House of 1000 Corpses, and followed that up with The Devil’s Rejects and two wildly polarizing Halloween films. His last flick was 2013’s The Lords of Salem and he’s planning on releasing the Halloween-based 31 next year, followed by a sixth White Zombie album. He’s also got a possible Groucho Marx movie lined up.

Starz also has the intense ballet drama Flesh and Bone coming, as well as the Neil Gaiman adaptation American Gods from Hannibal creator Bryan Fuller. Here’s hoping Trapped is good enough to join those shows on the schedule in the future.

An intriguing biopic project centering on the great Groucho Marx is reportedly in the works. However, this one won’t be tackled by some dramatic, Oscar-hoarding heavyweight, nor will it be uplifted by the levity of a comedic mastermind. Rather, the film focusing on comedy’s sharp-witted pioneer will be helmed by musician-turned-horror-director Rob Zombie.

According to a report by Deadline, Rob Zombie and Cold Iron Pictures producer, Miranda Bailey, are getting into the Groucho business. The duo have collectively acquired the rights to a book by Steve Stoliar called Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House, which documents some rather bizarre tales from the final years of the comic legend, who passed away in 1977. In an oddly ambitious move, Zombie himself will branch out beyond his horror repertoire to occupy the director’s chair. According to Zombie:

Known for dread-inspiring fare like House of 1000 Corpses, the two Halloween reboots, and next year’s killer-clown-filled 31, Zombie wasn’t exactly a name with which fans of classical comedy were bombarding the property rights holders. With his only directorial effort outside of horror being a single 2010 episode of CSI: Miami, Zombie seems intent on taking a dramatic plunge in a piece that won’t likely include the occasional decapitation and evisceration by masked lunatics. While he had to get out his checkbook to make it happen, it appears that we’ll be getting a look at the great Groucho through the filmmaking lens of the Astro Creep himself.

Raised Eyebrows is a memoir told from the perspective of a young fan who became Marx’s personal assistant and archivist. The book approaches Marx’s personal descent from the perspective of an outside admirer, as Marx is seen still rubbing elbows with screen and stage legends like Bob Hope, George Burns, Jack Lemmon, and Mae West. Yet, the veneer of hero worship chips away, especially when dealings with Erin Fleming, a supposedly mercurial woman in charge of every aspect of the elderly Groucho, become antagonistic.

Set to write the script is Oren Moverman, whose recent work on Love & Mercy, the Beach Boys biopic starring John Cusack and Paul Rudd, was met with wide acclaim. There should be plenty to work with in this case, given the central focus of the book showcases the eccentric habits and tempestuous personality of an elderly Groucho Marx at a point in his life well beyond his glory days as the center of the brilliant Marx Brothers movies, and even beyond his career second wind as host of the television show, You Bet Your Life. It should portray a brilliant, but troubled talent coming to terms with his twilight.

No further details have been revealed as of yet regarding Rob Zombie’s foray into the world of biographical drama.

It's perfectly fitting that the newest Rob Zombie film would be announced on the weekend of Halloween. And while his next project will not be a continuation of the rebooted Halloween franchise that he began back in 2007, the new film is still set on the ghastly, ghoulish holiday. Unfortunately, it may also serve to tick off the folks over at Marvel Comics.

The Hollywood Reporter received news of the new Rob Zombie movie out of the on-going American Film Market, and says that the project is appropriately titled 31. The movie is based on an original screenplay by the director, and is partially inspired by a strange statistic that says that more people disappear and are never found again on Halloween than on any other day of the calendar year. The story will begin on the night before the holiday (a.k.a. Mischief Night or Devil's Night in some areas) and will follow five carnival workers who wind up getting abducted. When they come to their senses, they discover that they are being held hostage in a compound called Murder World. They are told by their kidnapper that they are to play a game called 31, which will find them being hunted down by murderous psychos dressed as clowns.

What's a bit strange about the plot of this film is the way in which it kind of rips off Marvel Comics. I'm sure at least a few of you lovely readers are familiar with the assassin known as Arcade, who is a psychopath who has a habit of capturing superheroes and trapping them in his amusement park-themed death trap... known as Murder World:

I'm sure that Rob Zombie's 31 will be far more horrific and violent than any of Arcade's storylines in the comics have ever been, but I also wouldn't be surprised if the film winds up getting some pressure to change the name of the main location. Given that the main characters of the movie are carnival workers, I wouldn't be surprised if what Zombie has envisioned is at least somewhat similar to what Arcade does, and Marvel may not be too happy about that.

Rob Zombie was able to raise the money to make 31 after a 90-day crowdfunding campaign, following in the footsteps of projects like Rob Thomas' Veronica Mars and Zach Braff's Wish I Was Here. In an official statement, Zombie thanked his supporters, saying,

Production on Rob Zombie's 31 will begin next February, though when it will be released is currently unknown.

Welcome back to FlixWorthy, your weekly guide to Netflix streaming. Each Monday FlixWorthy dives headfirst into Netflix's streaming catalogue and surfaces with a handful of new or notable selections for your amusement and edification. Sometimes it'll be classics, sometimes it'll be little-seen gems, sometimes it'll be shows you might have missed, and sometimes...sometimes it'll be crap so awful it simply has to be seen to be believed. Here's what's FlixWorthy this week, kids.

Harlan Ellison: Dreams with Sharp Teeth

(2008, Not Rated, 96 min.)

If you aren't familiar with writer Harlan Ellison, you'll get a perfect introduction in the opening moments of Dreams with Sharp Teeth. Comedian and long-time friend Robin Williams asks Ellison if it's true that he once mailed a dead gopher to a publishing house. The response: "Absolutely true." What follows is a documentary profile of the outspoken writer through interviews, archival footage, and readings of his stories. Writers including Neil Gaiman, Peter David, Ron Moore, and Josh Olson put in cameos to discuss their friendship with Ellison and his influence on their work, but quite frankly the star attraction is the man himself. Prolific, passionate, and abrasive, Ellison is as distinctive as his body of work, and the personality that has won him both legions of fans and cadres of bitter enemies is on full display in Dreams with Sharp Teeth. It's clear that writer-director Erik Nelson (Grizzly Man) is an Ellison fan, so it's disappointing that the film doesn't delve deeper into the controversies surrounding the writer, but Ellison's fascinating personal history and love-him-or-hate-him personality carry the weight of the film well.

Double-Feature It With...

Trumbo

(2007, Rated PG-13, 96 min., HD)

Before discovering this documentary, my knowledge of Dalton Trumbo was limited to recognizing his impressive list of screen credits and his blacklisting by HUAC. Based on a play by Dalton's son Christopher, Trumbo is an engrossing look at the fearless writer responsible for Spartacus and Johnny Got His Gun. Trumbo combines the usual mix of interviews and historical footage with readings of Trumbo's letters by actors including Joan Allen, Brian Dennehy, Paul Giamatti, and Donald Sutherland.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

(1988, Rated PG, 110 min.)

Pretty much the only entertaining parts of this week's Oscars were the ones involving Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. If Hollywood's big night has left you craving some vintage Martin, Netflix has added Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to their streaming catalogue. Directed by Frank Oz, Scoundrels stars Martin and Michael Caine as rival con men who face off over a wager to see who can swindle away the fortune of a wealthy heiress in the French Riviera. As you'd expect of the pairing of Martin and Caine, the film is a mixture of wit and slapstick, and it's great fun watching the two spar and undercut each other's plans (although it would be better if Caine delivered a monologue involving tangerines at some point). Weirdly, the film was originally intended as a project for Mick Jagger and David Bowie. All due respect to Bowie's fine performance in Labyrinth, but I think we're all better off that that version of the film never happened.

Double-Feature It With...

Roxanne

(1987, Rated PG, 107 min.)

In Roxanne, Martin steps from con man to the other side of protecting and serving as a small-town firefighter gifted (or cursed) with a prominent proboscis. Putting a modern spin on Cyrano de Bergerac, Roxanne sees Martin's C.D. Bales fall for Daryl Hannah and use a handsome buddy to seduce her by proxy. He also fends off several bullies using a tennis racquet at one point, which is awesome.

Mallrats

(1995, Rated R, 96 min.)

Ah, Mallrats. Before Jersey Girl came along, Mallrats was the easiest target for Smith detractors, the ugly middle child between the better-respected Clerks and Chasing Amy. Mallrats will always hold a special place in my heart, however, because it was the first Smith movie I ever saw, and a regular staple of my friends' weekend viewing habits throughout college. Broader in both scale and comedy than Clerks, Mallrats starred Jeremy London as the lovestruck and recently dumped TS Quint, and introduced the world to the awesomeness of Jason Lee, back before he broke our hearts with the Chipmunks movies. TS and also-dumped buddy Brodie (Lee) wander the retail wasteland that is the local mall, running across View Askewniverse stalwarts such as Jay and Silent Bob, discussing superhero sex organs with Stan Lee, and speculating about the dubious merits of getting busy in the back of a Volkswagen. Mallrats isn't as notable as Clerks or Chasing Amy, but neither is it as ridiculous as Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. It's just good, silly fun from the days before Smith was making "real" movies starring Bruce Willis. I'll take Mallrats over Cop Out any day of the week.

Double-Feature It With:

The Breakfast Club

(1985, Rated R, 92 min.)

Maybe it's just because the John Hughes montage during the Oscar made me nostalgic, but any excuse to rewatch The Breakfast Club is a good excuse to rewatch The Breakfast Club. Like many other filmmakers of his generation, Smith was heavily influenced by Hughes' teen films. Why not pair up vintage Smith with what is arguably Hughes' masterpiece?

House of 1,000 Corpses

(2003, Rated R, 88 min., HD)

There's no question that Rob Zombie has become a powerful player in the modern horror landscape. How you feel about that will determine whether or not you're excited that Zombie's House of 1,000 Corpses has turned up in Netflix's streaming library. This was the film that established Zombie as a writer-director, instead of just "that hairy guy from White Zombie." Inspired by old-school horror and exploitation movies, Corpses is a violent and gory throwback that tosses two couples into the midst of an urban legend that proves to be all too true. All the standard horror elements are here: hapless travelers, a bugfuck crazy family of psychopaths, and an array of insides becoming outsides in spectacular fashion. Granted, horror movies don't always review well, but the 17% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes probably won't lure in many sightseers who aren't already Zombie fans. Regardless of your opinion on the Halloween remakes, the path to them began here.

Double-Feature It With:

The Evil Dead

(1981, Not Rated, 85 min.)

Depending on whether you actually enjoyed House of 1,000 Corpses, Evil Dead will either be a complementary cult classic or a revivifying antidote. Either way, Sam Raimi's definitive "cabin in the woods" flick is chock full of win. (Available until April 1, 2010)

The Call of Cthulhu

(2005, Not Rated, 47 min.)

I remember this film getting a lot of buzz a few years ago, but I never got around to seeing it. Lovecraft has always been damn near impossible to get right on the big screen, but the filmmakers behind Call of Cthulhu decided to try something new by trying something old. The Call of Cthulhu is presented as if it's an actual relic from the 1920s, a low-budget affair delivered in silent-film style and black and white. By all accounts, the short film is very faithful to the Lovecraft story from which it draws its name and inspiration, and at 47 minutes, it's an easy way to kill a lunch or laundry break. Until Guillermo del Toro eventually gets around to making At the Mountains of Madness, this might just be your best bet for cinematic Lovecraft.

Double-Feature It With:

From Beyond

(1986, Unrated, 85 min.)

Del Toro isn't the only filmmaker determined to crack the Lovecraft nut. Stuart Gordon has been doing his best to bring the writer's works and style to the big screen since 1985's Re-Animator. Gordon regular Jeffrey Combs stars a scientist meddling in things he shouldn't, all loosely based on a Lovecraft short story of the same name. If I had my druthers, I'd actually suggest pairing Call of Cthulhu with Gordon's Dagon, but it isn't available streaming.

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