Connect with us

News

Here Are Some Great Movies Featuring Trolls

Published

on

The qualifier in the headline is the word “great,” and that’s subjective not only when it comes to movies, but also when it comes to trolls. What some people might consider great others might consider poor, and vice versa. For instance is the animated movie Trolls (based on the toys) a worthy entry here? Not for the purposes of this list, but that doesn’t make it a bad movie — the second one is the better anyway.

For this list, we are going for scary trolls, the monstrous kind (although one movie on this list breaks that rule). Netflix is dropping a movie sometime this year called Troll and we thought it would be fun to revisit other movies where these dreadful creatures are featured.

The Dumb and Even More Dumb One

Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

The late (great) Jim Varney was big in the 80s and 90s. He joined a class of movie comedians who made movies based on their quirky characters. Take, for instance, Pee-Wee Herman or Jim Carrey. Both of those guys created iconic personalities that, although idiotic, made millions at the box office.

Ernest P. Worrell was Varney’s avatar. This bumbling “country bumpkin” lived in a world where his fellow humans had infinitely more commonsense and even more coordination. But audiences loved him. The first movie to feature Ernest was Dr.Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam. From there, the sequels just kept coming. Ernest Scared Stupid was the fourth of those and still holds up as a worthy, if not cringey, annual Halloween rental.

A troll plays a prominent part in this story.

Because of a curse on the Worrell family, Ernest accidentally releases an evil troll from a tree the night before Halloween. This turns out to be an all-out war on the town’s children as the released troll turns them into wooden dolls. It’s up to Ernest to save Halloween. The amount of practical effects that went into this movie is enough to give it a watch. But if the thought of a fumbling adult idiot is your kryptonite, perhaps save this one for a night when you eat some of your special secret gummy bears: knowhutimean?

The Found Footage One

Troll Hunter (2010)

In the decade since this Norweigan film was released, it has become a certified cult favorite. It was released at a time when found footage movies were in vogue and perhaps outdid them all. Shot as a documentary, the camera work, and special effects blend seamlessly into the narrative.

This dark fantasy combines the Hollywood blockbuster with Norwegian social elements. It was critically hailed both in America and its country of origin. If you haven’t seen this one yet, add it to your list of things to watch on a boring day.

The Original One

Troll (1986)

As with Ernest Scared Stupid, Troll (1986) is a low-budget gem that gets lots of love from genre fans. It also holds the title as the first movie with a character named Harry Potter (there’s a Wizarding World fan conspiracy theory here somewhere just waiting to be exposed).

Troll came out at a time when low-budget creature features shared a marquee with their higher-budgeted sisters and still managed to make a profit. Films such as Ghoulies, Leprechaun, and Hobgoblin weren’t great but managed to get butts in seats despite bad reviews. It was also the era of the Charles Band empire. And by empire, I mean his Empire Pictures, a small production house that ruled the small-scale theaters of the ’80s.

This movie had an excellent cast for the times. From Shelley Hack (Charlie’s Angels: TV series), to Michael Moriarity to Sonny Bono, Troll was a leader in the “spaghetti” dark fantasy pictures of the 80s.

It’s not going to change your life, but it’s a good time and historical archive of late-century filmmaking before the attack of CGI. Plus it has Phil Fondacaro (Willow) playing the titular monster. This film has a sequel in title only. Troll 2 has nothing to do with the original.

The Big-Budget One

The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey (2012)

Unlike the low-budget niche titles above, The Hobbit is leaps and bounds ahead of all of their budgets combined. But it is noteworthy because of that one campfire scene. Both in J.R.R. Tolkien’s book and in the film adaptation, Bilbo and company come across three trolls enjoying a fireside meal who, as Biblo says in the book, are not speaking in “drawing-room fashion” at all.

In the film, Bilbo is grabbed by one of them and nearly skinned and boned for stew. Although The Hobbit The Unexpected Journey wasn’t as well-received as its predecessors, it’s definitely worth a watch for the completionists out there.

The Underrated One

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

Probably the most underrated big-budget film on this list is Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. Even though it’s a twisted take on the Grimm classic, it’s fun, filled with wonderful special effects and its stars have great chemistry. There is also a great troll rampage action sequence!

This one didn’t get the love it deserved upon its release, but that doesn’t matter. The great thing about living in the technological age is that we can watch or re-watch things at any time.

The Weirdly Romantic One

Border (2018)

Here’s a quirky little film that may break our “scary troll” rule. It’s actually a romantic-comedy-ish title. Here’s a spoiler; the main character is actually a real troll living in modern life as a Swedish Customs Service agent.

Upon its North American release, Variety called it, “an exciting, intelligent mix of romance, Nordic noir, social realism, and supernatural horror that defies and subverts genre conventions.”

If you’re in the mood for something different with less action and more social commentary, give this gem a look.

The New One

Troll (2022) Netflix

Although this movie doesn’t have a confirmed release date, it’s got some people excited.  Many are comparing it to Trollhunter, but based on the trailer, it seems to be slightly different.  First, it’s not done in mockumentary style and it appears to also be a disaster film.

That makes sense since the man behind it,  Roar Uthaug is the director of 2018’s Tomb Raider and the hit Norwegian 2015 disaster film The Wave.

The trailer definitley has us intrigued and we’ll be adding it to our Netflix queque once it drops this year.

Well, there you have it. Seven movies featuriing trolls that you might enjoy. Let us know if we missed any, and as always, check back to iHorror for more interesting listicles.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

Published

on

Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title