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 one‑eyed, one‑horned, flying creature from the novelty song “Purple People Eater” materializes after a child sings the tune, the kid teams up with the monster to aid an elderly couple threatened with eviction by a ruthless landlord.
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
- Chubby Checker Chubby Checker
- Little Richard Mayor
- Peggy Lipton Mom
- Sheb Wooley Harvey Skitters
- Dustin Diamond Big Z
- Linda Shayne Nurse
- Nikki Cox Purplette Dancer
- 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 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Sunny Hills, 12-year-old Billy Johnson, Neil Patrick Harris, is living with his grandfather Sam, Ned Beatty, and his little sister Molly, Thora Birch, while their parents are away on a European business trip. That night, as Billy tinkers with a novelty song, a one-eyed, one-horned flying purple alien from outer space lands on a nearby tree and befriends him, naming himself Purple. The next day at the mall, Billy and Grandpa Sam spot Purple together, and Sam is amazed, encouraging Billy to think about forming a rock-and-roll partnership with his extraterrestrial friend.
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
What is the name of the 12‑year‑old boy who befriends the alien?
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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