A monstrous mutant from space invades suburbia via the Putterman family's satellite dish.
TERRORVISION
People of Earth, your planet is about to be destroyed... We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience.
A carnivorous alien creature is accidentally beamed to a family’s house from space via their new satellite dish and goes about eating everyone in sight.
Quick Answer
TerrorVision is a 1986 United States comedy, horror, science fiction, and thriller film directed by Ted Nicolaou about a carnivorous alien creature accidentally beamed into a family's home via their new satellite dish.
Programmer's Pick
TerrorVision is what happens when 1980s consumer culture gets a radioactive jolt from outer space. With a monster beamed straight into the living room and a cast of oddballs, it’s a wickedly satirical send-up of family TV nights gone horrifically wrong.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Ted Nicolaou
- Writer
- Ted Nicolaou
- Release
- 1986
- Runtime
- 1h 23m
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English, Portuguese
- Genres
- Comedy, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Also Known As
- 奪命凶電視
Why This Matters
This early collaboration between the Band family and director Ted Nicolaou foreshadowed their later work at Full Moon Features, and its later cult status as a 'so bad it's good' film highlights its enduring appeal among genre fans.
Cast & Crew
View all →Why Cult
The central threat arrives through the Putterman family's new satellite antenna, merging sci-fi absurdity with domestic comedy.
The film revels in its wild, dysfunctional household—complete with swinger parents, a metalhead boyfriend, and a TV horror host.
TerrorVision gleefully skewers American pop culture and television addiction, blending slapstick, dark comedy, and body horror.
The Hungry Beast is brought to life with gooey, over-the-top monster effects that ooze 1980s practical charm.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Alien energy beam hits satellite dish
Carnivorous alien creature (Hungry Beast)
Eats family members and visitors
Suburban family home
Questions from the Vault
Who directed TerrorVision? +
Ted Nicolaou directed TerrorVision.
How long is TerrorVision? +
TerrorVision has a runtime of 83 minutes.
What genre is TerrorVision? +
TerrorVision is a blend of comedy, horror, science fiction, and thriller.
When was TerrorVision released? +
TerrorVision was released in 1986.
How does the Hungry Beast arrive at the Puttermans' house? +
Energy carrying the Hungry Beast is accidentally beamed into the Puttermans' home through their satellite dish after an alien garbage disposal on Pluton sends it into space.
What role does television play in TerrorVision? +
Television acts as both the gateway for the alien threat and the backdrop for the family's evening, blending horror movie hosting with interplanetary danger.
Trailers & Clips