Director: Joe Dante

Joe Dante got his start editing trailers for Roger Corman. Having worked in the exploitation circles, his early movies were considered cheap spoofs at the time. It was years after the releases became surprise hits that the cult following saw them for something all their own.

It’s strange to see a director blend exploitation and dark humor with child’s films the way Dante has. Many of his movies are set in the suburbs (following kids as their central protagonists) when something grim or mysterious begins to take place. His unique brand of children’s horror is charming and bizarre at the same time.