In terms ofhorroricons,Chuckyis one of the most marketable. This killer doll has had countless t-shirts,Funko Popsand action figures over the years alongside his popular film series. The character reached new heights with his first ever TV series debuting on Syfy in 2021. While his cinematic entries have been hit-or-miss, Chucky’s TV misadventure got some of the best reviews of the entire franchise. This is despite the show beingabruptly cancelledlast year after three blood-soaked seasons. However, if you’re still looking for a distraction from theChucky-shaped void in your heart,the original slasher that started it all is now streaming for free.
Child’s Playhas just been added toTubi’s deadly lineup of horror titles. The 1988 film is one of the definitive horror stories of the 80s with a fresh 74% onRotten Tomatoes. The positive word of mouth led to the film making over $44 million worldwide on a small $9 million budget. After years of Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger running around, a new slasher king and franchise was born. This box office success was only matched by the2019 remakeand surpassed byBride of Chucky. That cult classic fourth installment made over $50 million worldwide.
What Is ‘Child’s Play’ About?
When an infamous serial killer, Charles Lee Ray, is taken down at a toy store, he does a voodoo ritual to transfer his soul to a popular Good Guy Doll.Child’s Playfollows a young boy named Andy who gets the doll in question. Strange things, including a string of murders, start to happen around Andy. However, is the doll truly possessed or is Andy to blame for all the murderous misery that’s entered his life? While later entries in the series would dive further into the horror comedy space, up until the third act,Child’s Playfelt more like an effective psychological thriller where you don’t know if Chucky is real or not.
This is aslasherwith a thick atmosphere and direction that still hasn’t been beaten in the series. Also, even though most horror fans know by now that Chucky is indeed a “real,” that doesn’t take away from the effective horror of the original film, with the payoff of the chaotic finale remaining just as deadly.Chucky’s creator,Don Mancini, would be involved in every sequel andGood Guy-related project for the next four decades besides the remake. Yet, Chucky’s first killing spree arguably remains his best.
While fans wait forChucky’s next iteration, you may watch the trailer for the originalChild’s Playbelow. TheChild’s Playremakeis also currently streaming alongside the original on Tubi.
Child’s Play
A struggling single mother unknowingly gifts her son a doll imbued with a serial killer’s consciousness.Director
Watch on Tubi
