The Children (1980)
A nuclear leak unleashes something far worse than radiation — it turns the town's own children into deadly, black-nailed killers in this cult horror chiller.
The Children - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Children
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Max Kalmanowicz
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 13, 1980 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: The Children of Ravensback (US)
- Production Companies: Albright Films Inc.
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Children - Plot
A nuclear-plant leak turns a bus-load of children into murderous atomic zombies with black fingernails.
The Children - Trailer
See the terror unfold in the official trailer for this 1980 cult horror classic:
...thank God they're somebody else's!
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The Children - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Max Kalmanowicz
Main Cast
- Martin Shakar
- Gil Rogers
- Gale Garnett
- Shannon Bolin
- Tracy Griswold
- Joy Glaccum
- Jeptha Evans
- Clara Evans
- Sarah Albright
- Nathanael Albright
Writers
- Carlton J. Albright
- Edward Terry
Producers
- Carlton J. Albright
- Max Kalmanowicz
The Children - FAQs
What is The Children (1980) about?
The Children follows the residents of a small town after a toxic cloud from a nearby nuclear plant transforms a group of local kids into silent, deadly killers with blackened fingernails. Parents and authorities scramble to survive as the children they love become the greatest threat imaginable.
Why do the children have black fingernails?
The black fingernails are the film's signature visual cue that a child has been mutated by the nuclear leak. They serve as both a warning sign for the adults in the story and a creepy, iconic detail that sets The Children apart from other zombie and killer-kid horror films of its era.
Where can you stream The Children (1980)?
You can stream The Children on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, and Screambox, among others. Free ad-supported options include Tubi TV, Plex, and Fawesome. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Fandango At Home.
How do the adults defeat the zombie children?
In a darkly inventive twist, the infected children can only be stopped by severing their hands — conventional weapons don't work. It's one of the film's most memorable and gruesome conceits, giving the story a grim logic that horror fans have found both shocking and oddly satisfying.
Who are the main cast members in The Children?
The film features Martin Shakar as John Freemont, Gil Rogers as Sheriff Billy Hart, and Gale Garnett as Cathy Freemont. Shannon Bolin, Tracy Griswold, and Joy Glaccum round out the ensemble cast of small-town residents caught in the nightmare.
Is The Children (1980) worth watching for horror fans?
Absolutely, if you enjoy low-budget 1980s horror with a genuinely unsettling premise. The Children delivers creepy atmosphere, a memorable gimmick, and the particular charm of drive-in era filmmaking. It's a cult favorite that punches above its modest budget with some surprisingly effective scares.
Who composed the music for The Children?
The score was composed by Harry Manfredini, who would go on to create the iconic music for Friday the 13th later that same year. His work on The Children already shows the tense, atmospheric style that would make him a defining voice in early 1980s horror cinema.
Is The Children (1980) based on a true story?
No, The Children is entirely fictional. However, it taps into very real anxieties of the late 1970s surrounding nuclear power plant safety, particularly in the wake of the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, giving its far-fetched premise an unsettling cultural resonance for audiences of the time.
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