Child's Play

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Child's Play

R,

1988,

1h 27m,

Horror/

Fantasy/

Mystery & Thriller

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65%

96 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

250,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), dying murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) uses black magic to put his soul inside a doll named Chucky -- which Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) then buys for her young son, Andy (Alex Vincent). When Chucky kills Andy's babysitter, the boy realizes the doll is alive and tries to warn people, but he's institutionalized. Now Karen must convince the detective of the murderous doll's intentions, before Andy becomes Chucky's next victim.

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Critics Consensus

Child's Play occasionally stumbles across its tonal tightrope of comedy and horror, but its genuinely creepy monster and some deft direction by Tom Holland makes this chiller stand out on the shelf.

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Donna Britt

USA Today

Jun 6, 2025

Unfortunately, [Child's] Play isn't campy or fun, either. It's not much of anything at all.

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Harper Barnes

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jun 6, 2025

Has the marks of a cult horror hit.

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Jun 5, 2025

Child's Play is junk fun.

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Jack E. Wilkinson

United Press International

Jun 12, 2026

A well-done thriller with some pretty good jolts along the way.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 17, 2025

3/4

A fast-paced horror flick that benefits from fine performances and excellent visual effects.

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David Day

Horror Movie Talk

Aug 11, 2025

7/10

Well, considering that this is the movie that started one of the five most iconic slasher series of all time, I think it’s safe to say that if you enjoy slashers this is for you.

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Apr 8, 2019

Slow but entertaining For being the first film of the franchise, I do not have much to say. Good plot, good actors, good script. A classic from the 80s!

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Leia R

Mar 27, 2019

Child's Play brings you a cheesy, funny, and classic horror film that is what it sets out to be. The film does a good job of providing a fresh idea to the horror genre and is overall a pretty creative film. Andy is a good protagonist who is actually pretty believable and the voodoo concept of the film works well. The film also provides audiences with some off-beat humor but is seen more so later in the franchise. Brad Dourif also does an excellent job as the voice of Chucky. Overall, this is just good classic horror.

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Finn W

Mar 26, 2019

I really enjoy this movie. I find it both scary and funny! âChildâ(TM)s Playâ? is scary because itâ(TM)s about a doll that murders people, but itâ(TM)s also quite funny because the doll has some funny dialogue, which is quite unusual for a serial killer! I thought the acting was pretty good. The kid could use some more convincing acting, but he was a kid, so Iâ(TM)ll let that slide. Not to mention iconic Brad Dourif voiced the main character, the doll. Ever since he did this movie, heâ(TM)s always been an icon for the franchise! Definitely not the scariest film Iâ(TM)ve watched, but I still find it a classic and enjoyable.

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Anakin L

Mar 19, 2019

It really is re-watchable but has not aged well.

Harry L

Feb 21, 2019

Who's going to believe this?

Luke M

Feb 16, 2019

One of the best 1980s that ruined your childhood

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Tom Holland

Director

Catherine Hicks

Karen Barclay

Chris Sarandon

Mike Norris

Alex Vincent

Andy Barclay

Brad Dourif

Charles Lee Ray

Dinah Manoff

Maggie Peterson

Child's Play: Official Clip - Charred Chucky

2:10

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Batter Up!

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Chucky Doesn't Need Batteries

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Child's Play: Official Clip - This Is the End, Friend

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Chucky Attacks Mike

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Dr. Death's Voodoo

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Frying the Doctor

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Chucky Dies

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Child's Play: Official Clip - You Can't Hurt Me

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Child's Play: Official Clip - Chucky Escapes

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Synopsis

Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), dying murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) uses black magic to put his soul inside a doll named Chucky -- which Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) then buys for her young son, Andy (Alex Vincent). When Chucky kills Andy's babysitter, the boy realizes the doll is alive and tries to warn people, but he's institutionalized. Now Karen must convince the detective of the murderous doll's intentions, before Andy becomes Chucky's next victim.

Director: Tom Holland
Producer: David Kirschner
Screenwriter: Don Mancini, John Lafia, Tom Holland
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 9, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.8M
Runtime: 1h 27m
Sound Mix: Surround

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