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Comedy Cult Classic

Brainwashed news anchors, killer tomatoes, and a detective named Lance Boyle—parody is back on the menu.

KILLER TOMATOES STRIKE BACK!

When good vegetables go bad!

1991 · 1h 27m · PG · Comedy · IMDB TMDB

Professor Gangreen attempts to brainwash the world; a police assistant and a tomatologist team up to stop him.

Quick Answer

What is Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! about?

Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! is a 1991 American comedy film directed by John De Bello about a childish police assistant and a tomatologist teaming up to stop Professor Gangreen’s plot to control the world using killer tomatoes and subliminal mind control.

Programmer's Pick

Where else will you find a mad scientist brainwashing news anchors and deploying killer tomatoes, all while a detective named Lance Boyle tries to save the day? This one’s a produce-aisle parody with extra pulp.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Police assistant Lance Boyle, whose cases are usually less than inspiring, is thrust into an absurdly perilous investigation when a string of murders points directly to the work of killer tomatoes. He is soon paired with Kennedy Johnson, a scientist specializing in tomatoes, as the two attempt to unravel the bizarre crimes. Meanwhile, the nefarious Professor Gangreen is up to his old tricks, hiding in plain sight as a talk show host while he kidnaps media figures and unleashes a mind control scheme on the public. As Gangreen’s plans for tomato-led world domination escalate, Boyle and Johnson must navigate a landscape of sentient produce, mad science, and media mayhem in a film that gleefully parodies both monster movies and police procedurals.

Details & Specs

Director
John De Bello
Writers
Costa Dillon, Rick Rockwell, John De Bello
Release
1991
Runtime
1h 27m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Comedy

Why This Matters

This direct-to-video sequel marks the third entry in the Killer Tomatoes series and is notable for introducing tomatoes with faces, as well as being the only installment not to open with the traditional series score.
— SassyFlix Curator

Why Cult

Parody Comedy Chaos

The film spoofs monster movies and police procedurals, packing in sight gags and absurdist humor.

Killer Tomatoes Return

The infamous mutant vegetables are back, serving both as murderers and minions in Gangreen's plan.

Mad Scientist Mind Control

Professor Gangreen ups the ante with a talk show disguise and a brainwashing plot targeting the media.

B-Movie Energy

From monster attacks to slapstick police antics, the film leans hard into its low-budget, slimehouse roots.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Murders linked to killer tomatoes and Gangreen's plot

Threat

Killer tomatoes and brainwashed press

Effect

Threat to humanity and media manipulation

Countermeasure

Investigation by Lance and Kennedy

Setting

City, woods, Gangreen's laboratory

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Killer Tomatoes Strike Back!? +

Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! was directed by John De Bello.

How long is Killer Tomatoes Strike Back!? +

Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! has a runtime of 87 minutes.

What genre is Killer Tomatoes Strike Back!? +

Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! is a comedy film.

How does Professor Gangreen attempt to take over the world in this film? +

Gangreen disguises himself as a talk show host, kidnaps media members, and uses subliminal mind control to brainwash the press as part of his plot for world domination with killer tomatoes.

Who partners with Detective Lance Boyle to solve the killer tomato murders? +

Kennedy Johnson, a tomatologist, teams up with Detective Lance Boyle to investigate the murders connected to killer tomatoes.

Trailers & Clips