First Appearance: Ghoulies (1985)
Portrayed by: Puppets designed by John Carl Buechler and others
Kill Count: 10+ across franchise (group total, often indirect)
Tier: Third Class
What Are the Ghoulies?
The Ghoulies are demonic gremlin-like creatures summoned through satanic rituals and black magic. Ranging in shape and size — from lizard-like to rat-faced, to aquatic — these monsters aren’t just mindless pests. They’re chaotic, malicious, and often driven by whoever controls the ritual that summoned them. They kill, torment, and destroy… often with a wicked grin.
Though often compared to Gremlins, the Ghoulies were never cute or cuddly. They’re purely grotesque — slimy, clawed, toothy, and grotesquely expressive. Their most famous appearance comes from the original film’s poster: one of them emerging from a toilet, giving the film a reputation that stuck with it forever.
But the Ghoulies aren’t just toilet jokes. They’re symbols of unleashed dark magic, warped familiars of the underworld, and pint-sized monsters who cause maximum damage when let loose.
Ghoulies (1985)
Directed by Luca Bercovici, Ghoulies follows a young man named Jonathan Graves, who inherits a mysterious old mansion. He quickly becomes obsessed with occult rituals once practiced by his father, Malcolm — a black magician. In trying to learn more, Jonathan performs a ceremony that inadvertently summons the Ghoulies, unleashing tiny demonic creatures with a taste for blood.
While the creatures are small, they’re brutal:
- One chews through a man’s throat during a party.
- Another attacks a woman while she’s under hypnosis.
- Others create chaos in groups, working together to torment Jonathan’s friends.
As the Ghoulies grow stronger, Jonathan also summons two demonic dwarves, Grizzle and Greedigut, and becomes consumed by his father’s power. The film combines Satanic horror, practical creature effects, and ’80s camp — all scored by synth-heavy music and occult imagery.
Despite a limited theatrical run, Ghoulies exploded in popularity due to home video — becoming a cult horror comedy hit and spawning a franchise.
Ghoulies II (1988)
The Ghoulies are back — this time terrorizing a traveling carnival. The creatures sneak into a funhouse attraction called “Satan’s Den” and begin attacking patrons and workers alike. With creative kills and over-the-top gore, this sequel amps up the comedy and chaos.
Highlights include:
- A Ghoulie electrocuting a carny mid-show.
- The creatures launching themselves into popcorn machines.
- A giant mutated Ghoulie in the explosive finale.
While the tone is sillier, the puppetry and practical effects are stronger, giving the Ghoulies even more character and screen time.
Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1991)
Yes — they go to college. This entry goes full-on comedy, blending frat humor with creature mayhem. A professor accidentally summons the Ghoulies while trying to unlock ancient rituals.
The film is full of:
- Toilet gags (again).
- Pranks turned deadly.
- Ghoulies dressed in college gear, running amok.
It’s not scary — but for fans of rubber monster horror and ‘90s VHS oddities, it’s essential viewing.
Ghoulies IV (1994)
A huge tonal shift — the creatures are now human-sized actors in rubber suits, and the focus is on a police detective with a supernatural past. It loosely ties to the original film’s lore but feels more like a low-budget TV episode than a Ghoulies film. The titular creatures are barely present, though their chaos still leaves a trail of damage.
Personality & Traits
- Chaotic Evil: No morals, no alliances, just destruction for fun.
- Semi-Intelligent: Understand commands from summoners but often act on their own.
- Gleeful Violence: Laugh while killing, mock their victims.
- Unnatural Forms: Amphibians, rodents, trolls — all grotesque and exaggerated.
- Toilet Dwellers: Yes, they attack from toilets — it’s infamous.
Legacy & Trivia
- Often Compared to Gremlins, though Ghoulies are darker, more occult-driven.
- Toilet Poster: Made the film infamous, even though that scene wasn’t in the original cut.
- Merch: NECA-style fan-made figures, enamel pins, horror trading cards, T-shirts.
- Cult Fanbase: Horror fans still campaign for reboots, Blu-rays, and remastered editions.
Other Media
- No official video games, but featured in fan-made posters, horror trivia games, and retro creature compilations.
- Referenced in horror parody media, especially about “tiny terrors.”
League Placement
Third Class
Small. Slimy. Sadistic.
Summon them and they’ll smile while you scream.
Flush if you dare.