The Puppet Masters
Performance & Direction: The Puppet Masters Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Puppet Masters (1994) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Puppet Masters features a noteworthy lineup led by Donald Sutherland . Supported by the likes of Eric Thal and Julie Warner , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Puppet Masters
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1994, The Puppet Masters is a Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller film directed by Stuart Orme. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Donald Sutherland.
Ending Explained: The Puppet Masters
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Stuart Orme, The Puppet Masters attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Donald Sutherland, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Puppet Masters reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Puppet Masters?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Puppet Masters
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $15.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $8.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Puppet Masters Budget
The estimated production budget for The Puppet Masters is $15.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Puppet Masters
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Where to Watch The Puppet Masters Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Puppet Masters Parents Guide & Age Rating
1994 AdvisoryWondering about The Puppet Masters age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Puppet Masters is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Puppet Masters is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1994 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Puppet Masters worth watching?
The Puppet Masters is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Puppet Masters parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Puppet Masters identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Puppet Masters?
The total duration of The Puppet Masters is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Puppet Masters
Donald Sutherland has done some dross in his time, but usually only as a guest star. Here he commits himself to the whole thing and I wonder if now, he regrets it. The mind-numbingly daft plot involves alien creatures that resemble flounders with a proboscis, that ride around on the backs of people, whilst controlling what passes for their minds. "Nivens" (DS) is determined to capture one of these beasties and get it back to the lab for examination. It has all the production values of a solid television movie and hasn't an original bone in it's body. It is a sort of "Alien" meets "Doctor Who" themed enterprise that recycles the rather flawed plot far too often, with little sense of jeopardy and the most obvious solution to the extra-terrestrial invasion plan - just don't wear a shirt with an opaque back! It ends pretty much as expected, with a mediocre supporting cast and some unremarkable dialogue to support the flying jelly special effects. Nothing special, this film.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
