39 Years Ago, The Most Underrated Musical Movie Ever Was Released (And the Real Ending Was Hidden for Decades)

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Released on December 19, 1986, Little Shop of Horrors was a unique and daring film, blending horror, comedy, and music. Directed by Frank Oz, it was based on a popular Off-Broadway show by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, which itself was inspired by a 1960 film. Oz’s version took the darkly comedic story of a plant that eats people and turned it into a visually impressive movie. While it wasn’t a huge hit initially, Little Shop of Horrors has become a beloved cult classic. Its innovative special effects, clever humor, and catchy songs make it one of the most well-made musical films ever. However, for many years, audiences saw a version of the movie that was changed at the last minute due to studio concerns.

Okay, so here’s the story – the director, Oz, initially ended the movie really dark, with the bad guys actually winning. It was a very loyal adaptation of the stage show’s finale, but it bombed during a test screening in San Jose. People who were loving the heroes completely turned on it when things got tragic. Seriously, the reaction was bad – the studio thought the film was going to fail spectacularly. They ended up cutting the original 23-minute ending and rushing to film a happy one just to make audiences happy. It took 26 years, but thankfully, the original footage was restored and released as the Director’s Cut in 2012. It was amazing to finally see what he originally intended!

Little Shop of Horrors‘ Secret Ending Only Makes the Movie Better

The movie Little Shop of Horrors ends like a typical Hollywood rescue story. Seymour Krelborn manages to kill the giant plant, saves his girlfriend Audrey, and they both escape to start a normal life in the suburbs. While this happy ending is satisfying, it weakens the film’s core message. The story is built around the idea of making a deal with the devil to achieve success – Seymour literally feeds people to a monster to get ahead. However, the movie version lets him get away with these terrible acts without any consequences. He commits murder and is rewarded with a perfect suburban life. This change turns a sharp critique of greed and ambition into a lighthearted comedy, ultimately making the story feel less meaningful.

The Director’s Cut fixes a problem with the original ending by letting the story play out to its natural, albeit dark, conclusion. In this version, Seymour’s attempt to save Audrey fails, and the plant ultimately consumes them both, turning the film into a warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition. What’s more, the original cut included an impressive technical feat that was cut before release: a Godzilla-like scene of the plants multiplying and destroying the world. This sequence featured detailed miniatures and puppetry to realistically show the plants attacking New York City. By restoring this footage, the Director’s Cut stays true to the creators’ original intent – Frank Oz and Howard Ashman – and highlights the incredible practical effects work from the 1980s.

What do you think is a better ending for Little Shop of Horrors? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-20 23:44