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Pumpkinhead 1988

When grief consumes him after his son's tragic death, Ed Harley unleashes a vengeful fury upon the teenagers responsible. Summoning Pumpkinhead, a malevolent force with a hunger for retribution, Ed initially revels in the demon's gruesome justice. However, as their bond grows, he begins to question the monster's morality and must intervene before Pumpkinhead's bloodlust destroys everything.

When grief consumes him after his son's tragic death, Ed Harley unleashes a vengeful fury upon the teenagers responsible. Summoning Pumpkinhead, a malevolent force with a hunger for retribution, Ed initially revels in the demon's gruesome justice. However, as their bond grows, he begins to question the monster's morality and must intervene before Pumpkinhead's bloodlust destroys everything.

Does Pumpkinhead have end credit scenes?

No!

Pumpkinhead does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Pumpkinhead

Explore the complete cast of Pumpkinhead, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Pumpkinhead

See how Pumpkinhead is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Pumpkinhead stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

47

Metascore

7.0

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

6.2 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

63

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Pumpkinhead Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Pumpkinhead with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Pumpkinhead 1988 Quiz: Test your knowledge about the chilling tale of revenge and horror in Pumpkinhead.

Who is the main character seeking vengeance in Pumpkinhead?

Awards & Nominations for Pumpkinhead

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Pumpkinhead, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Pumpkinhead and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


15th Saturn Awards 1988

Nomination

Best Director

Nomination

Best Actor

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Pumpkinhead

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Read the complete plot summary of Pumpkinhead, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


The tale begins with the vengeful demon Pumpkinhead relentlessly pursuing a fleeing victim, who desperately seeks refuge in a nearby home. Unfortunately for him, the owners refuse to offer sanctuary, unknowingly dooming themselves. From the window of their home, their young son witnesses the horrifying events unfold as Pumpkinhead completes its grim task.

Fast forward several years, the boy, now known as Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen), has grown into an adult with a son of his own. The peace of his life is soon disrupted when a group of six kids from out of town arrives at the Harley store, prompting some local children to recount the chilling tales of Pumpkinhead. Shortly after, calamity strikes when one of the newcomers, Joel (Joel Hoffman), races his dirt bike and tragically collides with Ed’s son. Overwhelmed by panic and the influence of alcohol, Joel flees the scene, leaving the young boy to succumb to his injuries.

Consumed by grief and fueled by a desire for vengeance, Ed seeks out an old witch rumored to have the power to summon Pumpkinhead, awakening the demon from its dark slumber.

In a parallel thread of chaos, Joel’s friends, concerned for the injured boy, attempt to get help. However, in a state of blind panic, Joel takes them hostage to cover up his actions. One girl, Maggie (Cynthia Bain), panics and tries to escape, causing chaos as Joel’s younger brother Steve (played by John D’Aquino) tries to prevent her flight. In a terrifying moment, Pumpkinhead emerges from the shadows of the trees, brutalizing Steve before hanging his bloody remains at the cabin’s door. As Maggie screams in horror, the demon snatches her away, and amidst this horrifying spree, another girl is murdered, her lifeless body being gruesomely dropped onto a boulder.

Left to fend for themselves against a terror that preys upon those who offer assistance, the remaining trio of survivors find themselves isolated, aware that anyone who interferes becomes a target of Pumpkinhead. Concurrently, Ed is mentally entwined with the demon, sharing a painful connection that allows him to witness the murders unfold in real time, deepening his despair.

Determined to confront the nightmare, Ed teams up with the remaining survivors. Armed and desperate, they encounter Pumpkinhead once again, and after unloading their firearms, they mistakenly believe they’ve killed it. However, Joel’s bravado ends tragically when Pumpkinhead retaliates, driving Joel’s rifle through his chest in a grotesque display of power.

As the terror escalates, Tracy and Jeff, the last of the group, make a run for safety, eventually finding help from a young hillbilly named Jimmy Joe. The demon relentlessly pursues them, leading to a horrific confrontation at a burnt church, resulting in a severe injury to Jeff. In a desperate attempt to shield the remaining group, Ed ventures into danger, seeking solace in his home with Tracy and Jimmy Joe. But soon, Pumpkinhead infiltrates their sanctuary, leading to a chaotic escape where Ed gets impaled by a pitchfork.

In his moment of realization, Ed understands that he can end the carnage by sacrificing himself. However, his attempt leads to a failed outcome, culminating in Tracy firing a shot that ultimately destroys Pumpkinhead, incinerating the beast in a fiery climax.

The story concludes hauntingly, with the witch burying Ed’s lifeless body in the grave of Pumpkinhead, sealing his fate as the next in line to become the vengeful demon.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Pumpkinhead

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Pumpkinhead. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Pumpkinhead (1988) Original Trailer HD

Cars Featured in Pumpkinhead

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Explore all cars featured in Pumpkinhead, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Chevrolet

1951

Advance-Design

Chevrolet

1969

C-20

Chevrolet

1986

Corvette C4

Dodge

D-100

Dodge

1968

Dart

Ford

1963

F-100

GMC

1985

Jimmy

Honda

1983

CR 250

Kawasaki

1985

KX 250

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


vengeancedemonmonsterfirst partevil womancharacter name as titlepumpkinhead charactershackhutgeneral storeblonde girlnoise pollutionwhite trashhickhillbillyfathersondead sonoverallschildinbredjump scaregrindhouse filmsupernatural creaturehillbilly horrorsupernatural powersupernatural serial murderboyfriend girlfriend relationshipsplatter horrorteen horrorboyruralhit by a bikehit by a motorcyclekilled in a motorcycle accidentrun over by motorcycledeath by motorcycle accidenthollerdug up gravedigging up a graveman faintsgravebicycle accidentstorekeepercabinwitchdeathmotorcyclerevengebackwoods

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