THE PHANTASM TIMELINE
1977
Writer/Director Don Coscarelli retreats to a cabin in the woods and begins the script for what would ultimately become the original PHANTASM.
1977
After enlisting long-time Coscarelli collaborators Angus Scrimm, Michael Baldwin, and Reggie Bannister, Don and producing partner Paul Pepperman begin principal photography with locations across Southern California.
1979
PHANTASM is released theatrically and becomes a massive worldwide success cementing the film as one of the most beloved horror films of all time.
1979
PHANTASM plays for over a year theatrically breaking box office records everywhere it is exhibited.
1979
PHANTASM is a massive success internationally and attracts a highly passionate following in many countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Spain and Japan, which endures to this day.
1980
With PHANTASM becoming a global cult classic, fans clamor for a sequel. A sequel to PHANTASM is announced in 1980 but it would take nearly 8 years for it to hit the big screen.
1980
PHANTASM is released on various home video formats, plays on network and cable television and finds a brand new audience who discover the film at home for the first time.
Pictured: The very first BETA release
1988
After nearly 10 years PHANTASM 2 is released in theaters by Universal Pictures. This critically acclaimed, big-budget sequel reintroduces PHANTASM to a brand new generation of fans.
1994
PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD is released, and introduces fan favorites “Rocky” (as played by Gloria Lynne Henry) and “Tim” (Kevin Connors) to the franchise and features the return of Michael Baldwin and Bill Thornbury.
1994
The legendary “Tall Man” Angus Scrimm is inducted into the Fangoria Magazine Horror Hall of Fame alongside Boris Karlofff, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, and Stephen King.
1995
Don Coscarelli is introduced to a new "thing" called the world-wide-web by pal Sam Gasster, an MIT graduate and literal rocket scientist. They team up to create the "Phantasm 1.0 web page." Coscarelli is thrilled to get direct feedback from phans. Take a trip back in time through The Tall Man’s space gate and see what Phans were chatting about in 1996 by clicking here.
1995
Coscarelli friends Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Pulp Fiction.
The next week Avary announces he is beginning work on the ultimate PHANTASM sequel. Photo credit Oscars.org
1996
Roger Avary writes the script to Phantasm 1999 A.D. which is considered the most epic PHANTASM script ever conceived. Talks with studios stall and the project is unfortunately shelved.
Pictured: Concept Art For Phantasm 1999 A.D. by artist Justin Zaharczuk. Justin sadly passed away in 2018, read Don Coscarelli’s tribute to him here.
1996
E! Entertainment names PHANTASM one of the top 10 horror films of all time.
1997
The cast of PHANTASM assembles in Death Valley, CA to begin principal photography on Phantasm: ObliVion, written and directed by Don Coscarelli.
1998
Phantasm: ObliVion is released by MGM after a popular run on the film festival circuit. It delights long-time fans by integrating never-before-seen outtakes from the original PHANTASM.
1999
The original PHANTASM is released on DVD for the very first time by MGM. International versions of the DVDs are also released across the world.
2000
Horror icon Bruce Campbell agrees to join forces with Reggie Bannister in Avary’s Phantasm: 1999 A.D.
2000
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen opens the Experience Music Project in Seattle, WA (now called MoPOP). The museum displays a rare PHANTASM 2 “Sphere” prop that was purchased at auction.
2001
After several rewrites, title changes, and studio “development hell”, Phantasm 1999 A.D. is ultimately abandoned. Never to see the light of day.
2005
The remake craze is alive and well and Hollywood Studios come calling for PHANTASM. A big splash is made in the press about a new trilogy of PHANTASM films with a major studio. As frequently happens in Hollywood, it never materializes.
2007
PHANTASM creator Don Coscarelli records a video tribute for his longtime supporters, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain. In the video, eagle eyed fans spot what appears to be brand new footage from a Phantasm film. As of this writing the footage has never been released.
2008
The PHANTASM cast and crew, including producer Paul Pepperman, Kat Lester, Reggie Bannister, and Angus Scrimm reunite at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a sold out screening of the original PHANTASM. It is the first time in history the film is shown in an actual graveyard. Photo by Clarkblog.
2009
The PHANTASM team begins secretly shooting "tests" and new footage for an as yet untitled project with Emmy nominated director David Hartman.
2009
For the next 5 years the PHANTASM team would secretly film what would become Phantasm: RaVager around Southern California with Emmy-nominated director David Hartman. The film used a skeleton-crew, shooting on weekends, in a similar way the original PHANTASM was shot.(see more of David Hartman’s work here)
2014
The still unfinished 5th sequel to PHANTASM, Phantasm: RaVager is officially announced by Entertainment Weekly with a teaser trailer. Stunned Phans across the world rejoice.
2014
“Production begins on the first PHANTASM Blu-ray release "thanks to a meticulous restoration from filmmaker J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot Robot Productions." --Well Go USA
2016
PHANTASM: REMASTERED premieres in Austin, TX at SXSW to a sold out crowd. Artist Aaron Lea was commissioned to create this commemorative poster which channeled the spirit of the original. Visit Aaron Lea’s official website here.
2016
Per Entertainment Weekly, Star Wars: The Force Awakens character “Captain Phasma” is named in honor of the Chrome Sphere from PHANTASM.
2016
Our beloved Tall Man, “Angus Scrimm” passes away after a long illness. Angus’s passing makes international news and Phans around the world pay tribute to this legend of cinema. Read the obituary from the Los Angeles Times here.
2016
After 8 years of filming and post-production PHANTASM: RAVAGER premieres at Fantastic Fest. The film enjoys a nationwide theatrical release. The film is dedicated to Angus Scrimm and Phans are thrilled to see him on the big screen one final time. Read a review from Variety.
2016
For the first time all 5 PHANTASM films are released on Blu-ray in one box set. “The PHANTASM Collection” sells out instantly and becomes a hot collectable on the re-sale market.
2019
A brand-new limited, 5 movie collection, The PHANTASM Sphere Collection, is released with a replica sphere (modeled after a screen-used prop from Don Coscarelli’s personal collection) and includes an unrated cut of PHANTASM 2. This set also sells out immediately. There are rumors that one day soon more copies will be released. Stay tuned!
2020
Another beloved member of the PHANTASM family, Actor Ken Jones, the first person to take a Sphere to the head, passes away with his family at his side. Read the article from Deadline here.
2024
Phantasm cast member "Bill Cone” aka Tommy from the original Phantasm passes away.
Read the full tribute on the PHANTASM Facebook here.
2024
Don Coscarelli announces the release of PHICTION: Tales from the world of PHANTASM. The limited edition hardcover sells out instantly. A paperback and e-book version is still available on Amazon here.
Artwork and design by Aaron Lea.
2024
Legendary genre book store DARK DELICACIES hosts a PHICTION 45th Anniversary fan event that quickly sells out. In addition to cast and crew attending the PHANTASM Cuda’ and original Spacegate poles are there for fans to take photos with. Read all about it here.
2025 and Beyond..
As the Tall Man once said… It’s NEVER OVER!