Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Toxic Avenger

  • 1984
  • R
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
34K
YOUR RATING
Mitch Cohen in The Toxic Avenger (1984)
Home Video Trailer from Troma
Play trailer3:11
3 Videos
99+ Photos
B-ActionB-HorrorBody HorrorDark ComedyMonster HorrorSatireSplatter HorrorSuperheroActionComedy

Tromaville has a monstrous new hero. The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste. Now evildoers will have a lot to lose.Tromaville has a monstrous new hero. The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste. Now evildoers will have a lot to lose.Tromaville has a monstrous new hero. The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste. Now evildoers will have a lot to lose.

  • Directors
    • Michael Herz
    • Lloyd Kaufman
  • Writers
    • Lloyd Kaufman
    • Joe Ritter
    • Gay Partington Terry
  • Stars
    • Andree Maranda
    • Mitch Cohen
    • Jennifer Babtist
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    34K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Michael Herz
      • Lloyd Kaufman
    • Writers
      • Lloyd Kaufman
      • Joe Ritter
      • Gay Partington Terry
    • Stars
      • Andree Maranda
      • Mitch Cohen
      • Jennifer Babtist
    • 189User reviews
    • 144Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos3

    The Toxic Avenger
    Trailer 3:11
    The Toxic Avenger
    Cowboys! Detectives! Giant Bugs! B-Movie History!
    Clip 5:23
    Cowboys! Detectives! Giant Bugs! B-Movie History!
    Cowboys! Detectives! Giant Bugs! B-Movie History!
    Clip 5:23
    Cowboys! Detectives! Giant Bugs! B-Movie History!
    After "The Boys," Watch These Supes Next
    Clip 2:13
    After "The Boys," Watch These Supes Next

    Photos155

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 147
    View Poster

    Top cast91

    Edit
    Andree Maranda
    • Sara
    Mitch Cohen
    Mitch Cohen
    • The Toxic Avenger
    • (as Mitchell Cohen)
    Jennifer Babtist
    Jennifer Babtist
    • Wanda
    • (as Jennifer Baptist)
    Cindy Manion
    Cindy Manion
    • Julie
    Robert Prichard
    • Slug
    Gary Schneider
    • Bozo
    Pat Ryan
    Pat Ryan
    • Mayor Peter Belgoody
    • (as Pat Ryan Jr.)
    Mark Torgl
    Mark Torgl
    • Melvin
    Dick Martinsen
    • Officer O'Clancy
    Chris Liano
    • Walter Harris
    David Weiss
    • Chief of Police
    Dan Snow
    • Cigar Face
    Doug Isbecque
    Doug Isbecque
    • Knuckles
    Charles Lee Jr.
    • Nipples
    Patrick Kilpatrick
    Patrick Kilpatrick
    • Leroy
    • (as Pat Kilpatrick)
    Larry Sulton
    • Frank
    Michael Russo
    • Rico
    • (as Mike Russo)
    Norma Pratt
    • Mrs. Haskell
    • Directors
      • Michael Herz
      • Lloyd Kaufman
    • Writers
      • Lloyd Kaufman
      • Joe Ritter
      • Gay Partington Terry
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews189

    6.234.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    MetalGeek

    A Jersey Classic

    Troma Films is legendary in the New York/New Jersey area, where most of their films are shot. (I was on site during the filming of a crowd scene for "Class of Nuke'Em High" in Paramus, New Jersey during the summer of '85, but to be honest I've never been able to find myself on screen in the movie.) The Toxic Avenger is arguably Troma's most accomplished work, and remains its most famous/popular film. Oddly enough, despite the tasteless humor and constant gross-out scenes in this movie, the title character spawned several sequels (of varying quality) and was eventually re-cast as a kid friendly cartoon character (!) with an environmental message in the late '80s that resulted in a line of comic books, toys and action figures!! Watching this gutbustingly hilarious 1985 classick (pun intended) now, it's hard to believe how far "Toxie" came. The Toxic Avenger's humor is definitely not for everybody, but if you're from Jersey, you are hereby required to rent it at least once. On a side note, Joe Zarro, who appears in this film as the proprietor of the dry cleaner's shop, taught English and Film Studies at Paramus High School in the late 1980s. His star turn in "Toxic Avenger" was widely known among the student body, yet he seemed somewhat embarrassed by it and naturally, he wouldn't even consider screening it for our class. What a shame!!
    7rutt13-1

    the epitome

    Troma's best to this day, I still believe. Actually, I haven't seen the vast majority of their movies, but this has got to be the one on top. I love this! Deservedly the companies' most widely recognized film, it can't be ignored for it's willingness to go ahead and do whatever the hell it wants! The acting is completely ridiculous, but when was the last time you had so much fun watching??? The effects are pretty good, nice and gooey in all the right parts....If you've got a special place in your heart for satire, or just like bad, goofy movies, this is the one to see. All the pieces fall into just the right places.
    8Abyss47

    Has to be seen to be believed.

    One of the craziest, most over-the-top, and bizarre films I've ever seen. Still feels surprisingly fresh and puts the majority of today's superhero films to shame, including recent hits such as "Avengers Assemble" and "The Dark Knight Rises" (Coincidentally, the latter stole a line from this film). Why? Because not only does this not take itself even remotely seriously, it's hilarious to the point where the comedic timing rivals that of some of the most beloved comedies out there. The pacing is also practically perfect, ensuring there's not a single dull moment during the entire runtime. The only time where I started to feel the length was during the finale, but that's only because I was watching it late at night. Herz and Kaufman proved here that they knew exactly what it took to make an entertaining camp trash classic. It also has some rather well implemented social commentary, but never preaches to the viewer or makes them feel as if they're watching a "message movie" in disguise. "The Toxic Avenger" is certainly not for everyone, and the average person is likely to automatically label it as juvenile garbage with no redeeming values, but for those with an open mind and a strong stomach for pretty much anything, it's simply an absolute blast from start-to-finish, and if any of Troma's other films are even half as entertaining, I have a feeling I'm going to quickly become a huge fan.
    6Tweetienator

    The Toxic Avenger Still Rocks

    The Toxic Avenger is one of those Troma horror flicks you should have watched at least once in your lifetime befor entering the next level - if you love horror comedies, of course. What you get is perfect cheesy horror 80s style with a lot of humor, overacting, some naked boobs, weird stuff happening scene after scene, fueld with crazy characters, and last but not least, some gory moments and violence. Still great fun for the connoisseur of sleazy 'n' trash. Don't forget: there are a couple of sequels, quality ranging from okay to solid.
    10Captain_Couth

    The beginning of a new era...

    The Toxic Avenger (1985) was the flagship of Troma's movie line during the early to mid 80's. This film was responsible for keeping the company a float during this time period and it also marked a turning point in the company's history. For years, Lloyd Kaufman and company were making cheesy sex comedies. With the birth of the Toxic Avenger, they started to expand their horizons, focusing on low budget horror/comedy trashy spoofs films. Instant cult classics were being produced by Team Troma. The Toxic Avenger is a Charles Atlas tale gone a wry. A weak nerd is transformed into a superhero of "superhuman size and strength." Melvin Junko is his name. Melvin was a mop boy for a local health spa. One day when a mean prank turned into a horrible accident, he was exposed to an open drum of toxic waste. That unfortunate mishap transforms and mutates Melvin into an avenger, a TOXIC AVENGER. Troma becomes a worldwide phenomenon and the Toxic Avenger becomes one of the most famous cult films of all time. A must for all campy cult film fans!!

    Highly recommended!

    More like this

    The Toxic Avenger Part II
    5.0
    The Toxic Avenger Part II
    Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV
    5.9
    Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV
    The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie
    4.4
    The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie
    Class of Nuke 'Em High
    5.6
    Class of Nuke 'Em High
    The Toxic Avenger
    6.0
    The Toxic Avenger
    Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead
    6.0
    Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead
    Tromeo and Juliet
    6.0
    Tromeo and Juliet
    Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
    5.7
    Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
    Re-Animator
    7.1
    Re-Animator
    Maniac Cop
    6.0
    Maniac Cop
    Frankenhooker
    6.2
    Frankenhooker
    The Toxic Avenger: The Musical
    6.5
    The Toxic Avenger: The Musical

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The head-crushing scene was based on a time when Lloyd Kaufman was backing a car out of his garage and accidentally hit his younger sister. Nobody was harmed, but the memory haunted him for years.
    • Goofs
      During the love montage there is a scene where Toxie jokingly puts a pylon on his head and Sara laughs, Sara's character is blind.
    • Quotes

      The Toxic Avenger: You fat slob. Let's see if you've got any guts.

      [Toxie then punches the mayor in the stomach and rips out his guts]

      The Toxic Avenger: Officer O'Clancy, take care of this toxic waste.

    • Alternate versions
      The Norwegian DVD titled Unrated Director's Cut runs 91 minutes. It includes the smashing of the head of the biker boy, and also includes the scene where the female leads are shown as survivors at the police station. This version also has some strange montages with résumés from earlier in the movie with the soundtrack looping.
    • Connections
      Featured in Stephen King's World of Horror (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Basement Chase Transformation
      Composed and Performed by Christopher Burke

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ18

    • How long is The Toxic Avenger?Powered by Alexa
    • Is it true that there's an Unrated Director's Cut and an Unrated Extended Cut available?
    • What are the differences between the censored British BBFC 18 Version and the Uncensored Version?
    • Does Marisa Tomei appear in the Theatrical version, or the Directors Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Officially sanctioned Toxic Avenger fan site
      • Troma
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El vengador tóxico
    • Filming locations
      • Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
    • Production company
      • Troma Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $475,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Mitch Cohen in The Toxic Avenger (1984)
    Top Gap
    What is the Japanese language plot outline for The Toxic Avenger (1984)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.