If you think today’s haunted attractions have gone too far, Spooktacular will remind you that the original trail of terror blazed that path decades ago—on a dusty New Jersey farm, no less. This upcoming documentary is a love letter to the chaotic brilliance of the first horror hayride, a place where rubber masks, chainsaws, and celebrity cameos collided long before Halloween became an industry.
Welcome to Spookyworld.
Packed with fog machines, VHS static, and pure 80s mayhem, Spooktacular resurrects the haunted attraction that dared to invite Linda Blair, Tom Savini, Kane Hodder, and—yes—Tiny Tim (because nothing’s more terrifying than “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” in a graveyard). It’s part nostalgia trip, part fever dream, and entirely a testament to what happens when one man’s Halloween obsession gets out of hand.
The film’s second act takes a darker turn, chronicling the owner’s ambition as he strayed from spooky fun into adult-themed exhibits featuring serial killers and nudity—provoking small-town outrage that ultimately buried his monster. Yet, even in downfall, there’s something hauntingly human about it: the dreamer who went too far chasing a scream.
Younger people could enjoy this too, but we Gen-Xers will particularly love this spooky nostalgia ride. With its blend of horror history, cult icons, and gleefully bad taste, Spooktacular reminds us that the spirit of Halloween was never meant to be safe—it was meant to be spectacular.
SYNOPSIS: Spooktacular! dives into the origins of America’s first horror theme park, SpookyWorld. Launched in 1991 by David Bertolino (pictured above), it drew over a million thrill-seekers in 11 years and defined ‘90s horror culture. Featuring icons like Tom Savini, Alice Cooper, Elvira, and Linda Blair, this doc is a nostalgic scream-fest for horror fans.
Release: October 3, 2025 (On Digital)
Directed By: Quinn Monahan
Written By: Gail Jorden
Edited By: Quinn Monahan, Stefan Avalos
Director Of Photography: Quinn Monahan
Featuring: Linda Blair, Alice Cooper, Tom Savini, Elvira, Kane Hodder, Seth Meyers, Butch Patrick, Jay Leno, Dee Wallace, Bill Maher, Vincent Price, and the Original Cast of SpookyWorld
Produced By: Bill Tartaglia, Spencer Charnas, Anthony Landry, Danny Wolf and Anthony Timpone
Executive Producers: David Bertolino, Brian David Stevens
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 1 hr 38 Min
Rating: NR
Distributed By: Quiver Distribution