Along with a few other films, the distribution rights were sold to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists after Vestron's bankruptcy (though Vestron retained some foreign rights). It subsequently saw a limited release, with only 179 movie theaters showing the film at its high point, although it grossed just under US$800,000. A DVD release was made available in the United States and Canada on April 6, 2004. Lionsgate released the film on Blu-ray for the first time as part of their "Vestron Video Collector's Series" line on September 15, 2020. Reception On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 44% based on reviews from 9 critics. Chris Willman of the Los Angeles Times found Howie Mandel's monster Maurice to be uncannily close to Beetlejuice although this film is for children. He notes that "there's sweetness and whimsicality in its fantasy, but there’s also a fair amount of gross-out humor" and admits that "some of it is actually funny". Willman says the film ultimately turns into a special-effects extravaganza, but seems to have been held back by its limited budget. Revival On October 14, 2022, the Mahoning Drive-in Theater screened a 35mm print of Little Monsters as part of their ‘90s VHS Rewind Weekend. See also List of American films of 1989 References External links Little Monsters Review at "The 80s Movie Rewind" Little Monsters (1989) at Box Office Mojo I Wanna Yell at YouTube Magic Of The Night at YouTube Road to Nowhere at YouTube 1980s adventure comedy films 1989 comedy films 1980s fantasy comedy films 1980s monster movies 1989 directorial debut films 1989 films 1989 independent films American adventure comedy films American children's comedy films American children's fantasy films American fantasy comedy films American independent films American monster movies Davis Entertainment films Fictional duos Films produced by John Davis Films scored by David Newman Films set in Boston Films shot in Massachusetts Films shot in North Carolina Films with screenplays by Ted Elliott Films with screenplays by Terry Rossio United Artists films Vestron Pictures films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films Films about children Films about brothers