5 Things You Didn’t Know About Child’s Play (1988)

Source: MGM/UA Communications Co.

Child’s Play, the 1988 horror classic that introduced the iconic killer doll, Chucky, is more than just a creepy toy. Here are five fun facts that might surprise you:

1. Robert the Doll

“Child’s Play” was based on the legend of the “Robert the Doll” – a supposedly haunted doll that belonged to a Key West artist named Robert Eugene Otto. The doll was said to move on its own and even talk to people, leading many to believe it was possessed by a spirit. The filmmakers took this idea and ran with it, creating the classic horror movie we know today.

2. Batteries Not Included

Before settling on “Child’s Play”, the movie went through several different titles – including “Blood Buddy” and “Batteries Not Included”. According to Wikipedia, the latter title was ultimately scrapped because it was too similar to the title of a family-friendly movie that came out the same year. It’s easy to see why “Child’s Play” was ultimately chosen – it’s catchy, memorable, and perfectly sums up the movie’s premise.

3. Cabbage Patch Satire

Believe it or not, “Child’s Play” wasn’t always meant to be a straight-up horror movie. According to IMDB, the original script was written as a satire of the Cabbage Patch Kids craze that was sweeping the nation at the time. However, as the movie went through various rewrites and revisions, it became darker and more serious – ultimately leading to the horror classic we know today.

4. Small Budget, Big Win

Despite its low budget and controversial subject matter, “Child’s Play” was a hit with audiences and critics alike. According to Wikipedia, the movie grossed over $44 million worldwide – a huge sum for a horror movie in the late 80s. The success of “Child’s Play” spawned multiple sequels and even a remake in 2019.

5. Banned

When “Child’s Play” was released in 1988, it caused a stir in several countries due to its violent content and portrayal of a killer doll. According to IMDB, the movie was banned in several countries, including Ireland and Saudi Arabia.

In the UK, the movie was heavily censored and its release was delayed for several months. Despite the controversy, “Child’s Play” went on to become a cult classic and a beloved horror franchise, with Chucky becoming one of the most recognizable horror icons of all time.