The Lost Boys (franchise)
A horror comedy franchise about teen vampires.
The Lost Boys franchise began with a 1987 Warner Bros. horror comedy film. The movie was written by Janice Fischer, James Jeremias, and Jeffrey Boam, directed by Joel Schumacher, and produced by Harvey Bernhard. Its cast included Corey Haim, Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann, Alex Winter, Jamison Newlander, and Barnard Hughes. The plot centers on two brothers who relocate to a new town and battle a gang of young vampires. Two direct-to-DVD sequels followed: *Lost Boys: The Tribe* (2008) and *Lost Boys: The Thirst* (2010). A novelization of the original film came out the same year as the movie. A monthly comic book miniseries, *Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs*, was released in 2008 and bridged the story to the first sequel. A film reboot has been in development since 2021.
Quick Facts
- Title
- The Lost Boys
- Owner
- Warner Bros. Entertainment
- Origin
- The Lost Boys (1987)
- Years
- 1987–present
- Novels
- Novels
- Comics
- Comics
- Films
- Films
- Tv
- Television series
- Soundtracks
- Music
- Toys
- Merchandise
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The original The Lost Boys was released in 1987 and starred Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann, Alex Winter, Jamison Newlander, and Barnard Hughes. A direct-to-DVD sequel, Lost Boys: The Tribe, was released in 2008, with Corey Feldman returning as Edgar Frog and a cameo by Corey Haim as Sam Emerson. Kiefer Sutherland's half-brother Angus Sutherland played the lead vampire. A third film, Lost Boys: The Thirst, was released on DVD in 2010, with Feldman as executive producer and Jamison Newlander returning as Alan Frog.
A novelization of the first film by Craig Shaw Gardner was published in 1987. A four-issue comic book miniseries, Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs, was released in 2008, set between the first film and The Tribe. A second comic miniseries, simply titled The Lost Boys, was released in October 2016 by Vertigo. A television adaptation was developed for The CW from 2016 to 2021 but was not picked up. A musical adaptation has been in development since 2017, but no confirmed opening date or venue has been announced.
Reader's Guide
The Lost Boys franchise is significant as a cult classic that blended horror and comedy with a teen vampire narrative, influencing later vampire media. The original film's success led to two direct-to-DVD sequels, though plans for earlier sequels, including one titled The Lost Girls, never materialized. The franchise expanded into novels, comic books, and a stage musical, demonstrating its enduring appeal. A reboot has been in development since 2021, indicating continued interest. The franchise's legacy includes its iconic theme song "Cry Little Sister" and memorable characters like the Frog brothers, who returned in later installments. Despite failed television pilots, the property remains a touchstone for 1980s horror-comedy.
Did You Know?
- The original film's theme song 'Cry Little Sister' was recorded by Gerard McMahon under the pseudonym Gerard McMann.
- A novelization of the first film was published in 1987 by Berkley Publishing, written by Craig Shaw Gardner.
- The 2008 comic miniseries 'Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs' served as a lead-in to the sequel 'Lost Boys: The Tribe'.
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