Synopsis
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! is a 1978 low-budget cult classic that follows a government task force attempting to stop an inexplicable uprising of murderous, oversized tomatoes terrorizing the United States. Deliberately absurd and self-aware, the film parodies monster B-movies with slapstick humor, terrible acting, and intentionally cheesy special effects. Despite its initial critical panning, it gained a devoted cult following and became a beloved symbol of so-bad-it's-good cinema.
Why Watch It
**Why Watch It**
A gloriously absurd B-movie that embraces its ridiculous premise with infectious charm and deadpan humor—killer tomatoes have never been funnier. De Bello crafts something genuinely clever within the schlock, proving that campy creature features work best when the filmmakers are in on the joke.
Did You Know?
- The film was made on a budget of approximately $90,000.
- A helicopter actually crashed during filming and was kept in.
- The movie inspired a Saturday morning cartoon series in 1990.
- It spawned three sequels, including one featuring George Clooney.
- The title song won a Razzie-style reputation for deliberate badness.
Iconic Quotes
- Tomatoes that kill! Can they be stopped?
- We have the technology to fight back against the tomatoes.
- There's nothing wrong with the tomatoes. It's just a little scare.
- Puberty love... oh, what a crazy feeling.
- The tomatoes have taken over the city and there's no stopping them!
