House of 1000 Corpses
Inspired by 1970s horror, achieved cult following.
House of 1000 Corpses is a 2003 American black comedy horror film that marked Rob Zombie's directorial debut. Zombie also wrote the script and co-composed the score. It kicks off the Firefly film series. The cast includes Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon, Karen Black, Rainn Wilson, Chris Hardwick, Tom Towles, Erin Daniels, Jennifer Jostyn, Walton Goggins, and Dennis Fimple—this was Fimple's last movie. The story centers on a group of teenagers who, while traveling across the country to write a book, get kidnapped and tortured by a deranged family on Halloween.
Zombie got the idea for the film while designing a haunted house attraction for Universal Studios Hollywood. He drew inspiration from 1970s horror movies like *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre* (1974), *The Hills Have Eyes* (1977), and *Halloween* (1978). Filming took place in 2000 on Universal's backlots and in Valencia, California. The studio shelved the project, worried it would get an NC-17 rating, so Zombie bought back the rights. He later sold them to Lions Gate Entertainment, which released the film in April 2003. Critics panned it, but it still earned $16 million worldwide. Over time, it gained a cult following. Zombie later turned it into a haunted house attraction for Universal Studios, and two sequels followed: *The Devil's Rejects* (2005) and *3 from Hell* (2019).
- Release year
- 2003
- Director
- Rob Zombie
- Genre
- Black comedy horror
- Budget
- $3–4 million (initial); final budget disputed ($7–14 million)
- Box office
- $16 million worldwide
- Series
- First in the Firefly film series
Lore & Background
Rob Zombie conceived the film while designing a haunted house attraction for Universal Studios Hollywood, where filming took place in 2000 on the backlots and in Valencia, California. The studio shelved the film fearing an NC-17 rating, so Zombie reacquired the rights and eventually sold them to Lions Gate Entertainment, which released the film in April 2003. The film's starting budget was $3–4 million, though its final budget is debatable; Zombie first claimed $4 million but later described a budget between $7 million and $14 million. He admitted he initially lacked funding for a good ending and gambled that the studio would provide more funds, which they did for a more elaborate ending.
Reader's Guide
Despite receiving an unfavorable response from critics, House of 1000 Corpses grossed $16 million worldwide and has since achieved a cult following. It was developed into a haunted house attraction by Zombie for Universal Studios and was followed by two sequels: The Devil's Rejects (2005) and 3 from Hell (2019). The film is noted for its inspiration from 1970s horror films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and Halloween (1978). Its production history, including shelving by Universal and eventual release by Lions Gate, contributed to its notoriety. The film's legacy includes its role in launching Zombie's directorial career and establishing the Firefly film series.
Did You Know?
- The film was inspired by 1970s horror films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and Halloween (1978).
- Rob Zombie conceived the film while designing a haunted house attraction for Universal Studios Hollywood.
- Universal shelved the film fearing an NC-17 rating, leading Zombie to reacquire the rights and sell them to Lions Gate Entertainment.
- The film's final budget is disputed; Zombie first claimed $4 million but later described a budget between $7 million and $14 million.
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