Puppet Master (1989)

One of Full Moon Entertainment's most successful franchises kicked off in 1989, when a case full of marionettes was brought to evil life in the VHS-era cult classic Puppet Master (1989). In the film that would spawn five sequels, but never achieve the cultural cache of other evil doll flicks like Child's Play (1988), Neil Gallagher (Robin Frates) is a magician who has found the ancient Egyptian secret to animating puppets, a technique previously mastered by the French occultist Andre Toulon (William Hickey). But while Toulon's big issue was the Nazis coming to weaponize his big discovery before he ate a bullet to keep it out of their filthy hands, Neil's issue is that it's driving him insane. After dealing with all the puppets Toulon created using the souls of dead victims of the Third Reich, Neil also opts to fast track the end of his life. Enter clairvoyant Yale professor Alex (Paul le Mat), the trauma survivor who can determine an object's history from touch Carlissa (Kathryn O’Reilly) and sexual sensory master Frank (Matt Roe), three psychics hellbent on discovering the connection between the sinister dolls and strange visions that have been plaguing Alex. The problem for them is, the real star of the movie are the killer puppets who are more than happy to murder anyone trying to discover their secrets. From Leech Woman, who literally vomits killer leeches onto people, to the former strongman killed for helping Jews whose soul gets transferred into the huge handed puppet Pinhead, and even the evil clown Jester, the puppets and their unique personalities were way more interesting than the humans. Well, except for the naked ones. You’ll also be made of wood when pretty psychic Kathryn O’Reilly bares her bubbly boobies in the bath before stepping out to meet her doom. These puppets' strings aren’t the only thing that’s jerkin’! Good luck remaining Master of Your Domain watching Puppet Master!