Dr. Giggles (1992)
A cackling, scalpel-wielding maniac makes house calls in this gleefully twisted horror-comedy from the early 1990s.
Dr. Giggles - Movie Information
- Original Title: Dr. Giggles
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Manny Coto
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 23, 1992 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Doctor Giggles (US), Dr.ギグルス (JP)
- Production Companies: Dark Horse Entertainment, Largo Entertainment, JVC, Universal Pictures
- Production Countries: Japan, United States of America
Dr. Giggles - Plot
In 1957, Evan Rendell flees after his father is lynched for killing multiple patients in his effort to find a replacement heart for his ailing wife. After 35 years, Evan escapes from a mental institution and returns to town for revenge, killing off residents one by one. When Jennifer and her friends break into the Rendell house out of morbid curiosity, Evan notices Jennifer has a heart condition similar to his mother and decides to make her his final victim.
Dr. Giggles - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what the doctor ordered:
A new prescription for terror.
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Dr. Giggles - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Manny Coto
Main Cast
- Larry Drake
- Holly Marie Combs
- Cliff DeYoung
- Glenn Quinn
- Keith Diamond
- Richard Bradford
- Michelle Johnson
- Nancy Fish
- Sara Melson
- Zoe Trilling
Writers
- Graeme Whifler
- Manny Coto
Producers
- Stuart M. Besser
Dr. Giggles - FAQs
What is Dr. Giggles about?
Dr. Giggles follows Evan Rendell, a deranged doctor's son who escapes a mental institution and returns to his hometown for revenge. He targets residents one by one before zeroing in on Jennifer, a teenager with a heart condition he plans to "cure" — just like his father tried to cure his dying mother decades earlier.
Is Dr. Giggles a horror film or a comedy?
It's both — Dr. Giggles leans into horror-comedy territory with gleeful abandon. The kills are inventive and gory, but the film is packed with medical puns and dark humor delivered by Larry Drake's cackling villain. Think of it as a slasher that never takes itself too seriously.
Where can you stream Dr. Giggles right now?
You can stream Dr. Giggles on Shudder, Amazon Prime Video, AMC+, and Philo, among others. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube — so there are plenty of ways to catch this cult horror-comedy.
Who plays Dr. Giggles in the film?
Larry Drake brings the deranged Dr. Evan Rendell to life with a genuinely unnerving performance. Drake was already known for playing Benny on L.A. Law, but his turn as the giggling, scalpel-wielding killer here became one of his most memorable roles and earned the character cult status.
Does Dr. Giggles have a happy ending?
Jennifer Campbell survives the night, but the road there is brutal. The film wraps up with a darkly comedic final twist that stays true to its horror-comedy DNA — it resolves the central threat while leaving just enough of a wink to satisfy fans of the genre's more playful side.
Who are the main cast members in Dr. Giggles?
Larry Drake leads as the murderous Dr. Evan Rendell, with Holly Marie Combs — best known from Charmed — as the resourceful Jennifer Campbell. The supporting cast includes Cliff DeYoung, Glenn Quinn, Richard Bradford, Michelle Johnson, and Doug E. Doug, rounding out this early-90s slasher ensemble.
Was Dr. Giggles a box office success in 1992?
Dr. Giggles earned around $8.4 million at the box office — a modest return that reflected the competitive early-90s horror landscape. While it didn't become a blockbuster, it found a devoted audience on home video and cable, cementing its reputation as a beloved cult slasher over the following decades.
What are some movies similar to Dr. Giggles?
If you enjoy Dr. Giggles, check out Fright Night Part 2 (1988) and Night of the Demons 2 (1994) for more early-90s horror-comedy fun. The Voices (2014) and All About Evil (2010) also share that darkly comedic, gleefully twisted sensibility that makes Dr. Giggles such an entertaining watch.
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