The Toxic Avenger (film)

The Toxic Avenger (film)

The Toxic Avenger is a 1984 action comedy film released by Troma Entertainment, known for producing low budget B-movies with campy concepts. Virtually ignored upon its first release, The Toxic Avenger caught on with filmgoers after a long and successful midnight movie engagement at the famed Bleecker Street Cinemas in New York City in late 1985. It now is regarded as a cult classic.

The film has generated three film sequels, a stage musical production, and a children's TV cartoon. Two less successful sequels: The Toxic Avenger Part II and The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie were filmed as one. Director Lloyd Kaufman realized that he had shot far too much footage for one film, and reedited it into two. A third independent sequel was also released, entitled Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. A fourth sequel entitled The Toxic Avenger 5 Toxic Twins is planned for a future release. An animated children's TV series spin-off, Toxic Crusaders, featured Toxie as the leader of a team of mutated superheroes who fought against evil alien polluters. The cartoon series was short-lived and it was quickly cancelled. New Line Cinema had planned a live action movie based on the cartoon, but the deal fell through.