2001 Maniacs

On a road trip to a sun soaked Spring Break, a group of college friends takes a detour into Pleasant Valley, a quiet Southern town that seems pleasantly old fashioned. The locals extend old fashioned hospitality and invite the visitors to stay for their annual barbecue. What begins as a goofy detour into Southern charm grows uneasy as the locals' friendliness feels strange and the party atmosphere hides a darker agenda. The visitors find themselves trapped by a townsfolk who treat the event like sacred ritual rather than a party, setting up a night of fear disguised as festivity. The town's quirks, from eerie street lamps to a carnival soundtrack, set a mood that blends camp with creeping dread tonight.

Directed by Tim Sullivan and released in 2005, this horror comedy uses an original screenplay by Chris Kobin. It nods to the 1964 cult classic 2000 Maniacs while forging its own cheeky identity. It also benefits from a seasoned ensemble.

Box office details are not publicly documented, and the film played a modest theatrical run in select markets. These modest numbers reflect a niche appeal rather than mainstream success and underscore the film's place in late era cult horror circles.

The movie has a place in B movie horror circles thanks to its cast featuring Robert Englund, Peter Stormare, Lin Shaye, and others; its blend of humor and gore appeals to fans of playful midnight movies. Its practical effects and playful gore earned it a small loyal fan base worldwide.

Critically the film drew mixed notes, with the crowd-pleasing gore offset by uneven tone. Viewers notice a satirical bite at small town rituals and a tongue in cheek love letter to classic horror, wrapped in a breezy festival of frights. It sits at 5.4 out of 10 from 285 votes.