Joel Schumacher‘s horror-comedy The Lost Boys, released in theaters on July 31, 1987, is a seminal film that perfectly captures the gothic glamour and rock-and-roll attitude of the 80s, redefining the vampire mythos for a new generation. It’s a slick, funny, and genuinely scary movie that became an instant cult classic and a touchstone of its era.
The story follows brothers Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam Emerson (Corey Haim) who move to the sleepy, coastal California town of Santa Carla with their recently divorced mother, Lucy (Dianne Wiest).
Santa Carla, however, is not as idyllic as it seems; it’s a haven for vampires, a fact that the locals are either oblivious to or choose to ignore.
Michael quickly falls for the alluring and mysterious Star (Jami Gertz), who is associated with a charismatic and dangerous gang of bikers led by David (Kiefer Sutherland). After a bizarre initiation ritual, Michael begins to undergo a transformation, realizing he is becoming one of them.
Meanwhile, his younger brother, Sam, discovers the truth about the town’s supernatural inhabitants and forms an unlikely alliance with two nerdy comic book enthusiasts, the Frog brothers, Edgar (Corey Feldman) and Alan, who consider themselves vampire hunters.
The film’s plot then becomes a race against time, as Sam and the Frog brothers try to save Michael from fully transforming into a vampire.
The conflict escalates, leading to a thrilling showdown at the Emerson family’s home.
The movie features memorable supporting performances from Edward Herrmann as Lucy’s new love interest, Max, and Barnard Hughes as the eccentric Grandpa.
Corey Haim and Jason Patric in The Lost Boys (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Richard Donner was originally set to direct, but was unavailable due to other commitments. He eventually received credit as an executive producer.
A direct-to-DVD sequel, Lost Boys: The Tribe, was released in 2008. Feldman returned as Edgar Frog, while Haim appeared in a cameo.
A third film, Lost Boys: The Thirst, was released on DVD in 2010.
Reception for The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys grossed $5.2 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind The Living Daylights, which pulled in $11.1 million on its opening weekend.
The film would gross $32.5 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The Lost Boys is revered for its brilliant combination of horror, comedy, and a sleek, stylish aesthetic. Sutherland’s performance as the menacingly cool vampire leader is iconic and helped define the modern cinematic vampire as less of a cloaked figure and more of a rebellious rock star.
The film also cemented the “Two Coreys” (Haim and Feldman) as a powerful teen duo, and its soundtrack, featuring the hit songs I Still Believe and Cry Little Sister is a genre classic.
The Lost Boys is more than just a horror movie; it’s a coming-of-age story about family, belonging, and the battle between good and evil, wrapped in a perfectly 80s package of leather jackets, big hair, and biting wit.
