Mattel's Shorty doll, inspired by Killer Klowns from Outer Space, introduces a cult classic to the new generation

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game - Courtesy of IllFonic

As of right now, Mattel is currently sold out of this product (incredibly within one minute of listing it), but confirmed restocks are on the way!

Mattel, the company behind the Barbie, just released their latest addition to their Monster High line, and it’s introducing the next generation to one of the most popular cult classic horrors of the 1980s. 

Killer Klowns from Outer Space was released in 1988 and centered on an invasion of extraterrestrial clowns in the small college town of Crescent Cove, California. Two students, a young rookie cop, and a pair of ice cream-selling brothers band together to survive the night and try to save their town from the face-painted invaders. 

Listed as “Monster High Skullector Killer Klowns Doll,” the doll is a twist on Shorty, one of the most iconic clowns from the film. Shorty is the smallest of the clowns, but arguably the most diabolical, decapitating a biker by punching his head off with a boxing gloved hand.

The first photos of the doll were released by Mattel earlier last week.

The film is notable for its mostly practical effects, which were accomplished by the Chiodo Brothers, a sibling trio of special effects artists who also wrote and directed the film. They have also worked on the comedy-horror films Critters and Ernest Scared Stupid. The film utilizes many slapstick clown attributes, including cotton candy cocoons (for preserving human flesh for consumption), balloon animal bloodhounds for tracking, and pies for face-throwing that melts bones. 

Mattel’s Shorty wears her film counterpart’s signature green hair and yellow outfit, as well as shoes modeled after balloon animal bloodhounds used for tracking humans in the film. One of her earrings is the ray guns they used in the film. She also wears an earring of the ray guns the clowns used in the film. 

Released in 2010, Mattel’s Monster High line centers on the teenage children of popular monsters (ie. Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein) attending high school. It is now a multimedia brand that includes books, games, and movies. 

A longtime favorite of horror fans, Killer Klowns from Outer Space has been overdue for a long-awaited sequel. Despite numerous attempts and stories, the project has never come to fruition. However, a videogame adaptation of the film was released in 2024. Less than a year later, another project featuring an iconically evil clown was released. With a newer generation of horror fans being introduced to the iconic movie through the Shorty doll, we can hope for renewed interest in the long-awaited sequel. 

Shorty is available for purchase on Amazon.com and MattelCreations.com