Purple People Eater (1988): Cast & Plot
Purple People Eater is a 1988 sci-fi comedy starring Neil Patrick Harris as Billy Johnson, Thora Birch and Ned Beatty. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Motion Picture Group, The
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Purple People Eater About?
The premise of Purple People Eater without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When a young boy sings the classic novelty tune “Purple People Eater,” the bizarre creature described in the lyrics—a one‑eyed, one‑horned, flying monster—materializes. Together they team up to aid an elderly couple facing eviction by a ruthless landlord, using the monster’s unusual abilities to intervene.
Purple People Eater Themes & Keywords
· 13 tags- title directed by female
- slimehouse
- color in title
- three word title
- b sci fi
- alien invasion sci fi
- space
- f rated
- concert
- cult film
- alien
- based on song
+1 more Show fewer
- independent film
Purple People Eater Cast & Characters
Neil Patrick Harris leads the cast as Billy Johnson, with Thora Birch as Molly Johnson and Ned Beatty as Grandpa.
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Neil Patrick Harris as Billy Johnson -
Thora Birch as Molly Johnson -
Ned Beatty as Grandpa - Shonda Whipple as Allison
Also Starring in Purple People Eater
· 13 more- Kimberly McCullough Donna Orfus
- John Brumfield Mr. Noodle
- Shelley Winters Rita
- Peggy Lipton Mom
- Little Richard Mayor
- Sheb Wooley Harvey Skitters
- Dustin Diamond Big Z
- Linda Shayne Nurse
- Nikki Cox Purplette Dancer
- Chubby Checker Chubby Checker
- James Houghton Dad
- Molly Cheek Mrs. Orfus
- Lindsay Price Kory Kamimoto
Purple People Eater Plot Summary
What happens in Purple People Eater from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the town of Sunny Hills, 12-year-old Billy Johnson, Neil Patrick Harris, is left in the care of his grandfather Sam, Ned Beatty, and his little sister Molly, Thora Birch, while his parents are away on an extended business trip in Europe. That night, after Billy whistles a novelty tune, a one-eyed, one-horned flying purple alien lands on a nearby tree, then jumps down to greet him, and the two quickly form an unlikely friendship. The alien calls himself Purple, and Billy learns that Purple can only name old hits because radio waves take twenty-five years to reach his home planet.
Full summary
The whole story of Purple People Eater, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Purple People Eater?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which town does the story take place?
Cars in Purple People Eater
11 cars on screen, including the 1955 Ford Thunderbird and the 1987 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency.
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1955 Ford Thunderbird Important role -
1987 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Important role -
1955 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Minor role -
1971 Chevrolet Chevy Van Minor role
Purple People Eater Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Der kleine lila Menschenfresser” and “Purple People Eater - Der kleine lila Menschenfresser”.
- Also known as
-
- Der kleine lila Menschenfresser
- Purple People Eater - Der kleine lila Menschenfresser
- Ядящият пурпурни хора
- Um Alienígena do Barulho
- 摇滚紫精灵
- L'amico venuto dallo spazio
- Пурпурный людоед
- Emberevő bíborka
- Mi amigo púrpura
Seen Purple People Eater?
Movies Like Purple People Eater
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Purple People Eater, The Purple Monster Strikes and Munchies.
Purple People Eater FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Purple People Eater, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Purple People Eater?
Purple People Eater runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Purple People Eater released?
Purple People Eater was released on December 1, 1988.
Who is in the cast of Purple People Eater?
Purple People Eater stars Neil Patrick Harris as Billy Johnson, Thora Birch as Molly Johnson and Ned Beatty as Grandpa, among 17 credited actors.
Does Purple People Eater have a post-credit scene?
No. Purple People Eater has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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