
Forty-seven years ago today, on March 28, 1979, a surprisingly influential movie franchise began with the release of Phantasm. Like other low-budget horror hits of the time, such as Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the film was funded by local investors with a budget of just $300,000. It went on to earn over $22 million in theaters (which is about $103 million today). Phantasm was the creation of writer/director Don Coscarelli, and it initially captivated audiences with its scary imagery and original story. Its success ultimately launched a long-running franchise, and its creator would later have a significant impact on another major film series.