Night of the Comet is a rad mix of sci-fi, horror, and 80s charm, directed by Thom Eberhardt. The story follows two sisters, Reggie and Sam, who wake up after a comet wipes out most of humanity, turning survivors into dust or, worse, zombie-like creatures. Armed with guns and sass, they take on the undead and a sinister group of scientists in an eerily empty Los Angeles.
This cult classic stands out because of its clever mashup of apocalyptic dread with cheeky 80s teen humor. It’s part Valley Girl, part The Omega Man, but with a lot more neon and mall-raiding. Reggie (Catherine Mary Stewart) and Sam (Kelli Maroney) are not just damsels in distress—they’re tough, resourceful, and armed with plenty of snark. And with a PG-13 rating, it was one of the early mainstream films to balance horror with fun.
The movie hit theaters in November 1984, grossing over $14 million against its small $700,000 budget, becoming a sleeper hit and a massive cult favorite.
This film perfectly captures that 80s mix of camp and chaos, making it a beloved gem for fans of both teen flicks and apocalyptic horror.
Gnarly Nuggets:
- Joss Whedon inspiration: Night of the Comet inspired Joss Whedon’s creation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Strong female protagonists battling the apocalypse? Totally Buffy!
- Heather Langenkamp almost starred: Before Nightmare on Elm Street, Heather Langenkamp was in the running to play Sam, but Kelli Maroney landed the gig.
- Real teen research: Eberhardt based the sisters’ dialogue on real teens he interviewed about how they’d react to an apocalypse. Shopping sprees and dating concerns made the list!
- Secret shoutout: The mysterious “DMK” on the arcade leaderboard in the movie had fans speculating for years. It’s revealed at the end when a new character shows up with those initials.