As with any collection of stories, this one contains a pearl or two but the standout feature of the book are its scatterings of popcorn sketches throughout. I guess that doesn't say much for the book and to be honest, it's been such a while since my reading of this book that I can only say that the first story makes promises it cannot keep.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was given a digital copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was classic 80s horror for any lover of B rated films. If you were a fan of those style films or were a regular at the cinema or drive in then these short stories are for you.

Movies today aren’t the same as back in the 80s. Having kids. Ow and showing them films from when I was a kid their reaction is always, “dad that’s so fake.” They’re correct obviously but to us back then that was our CGI. This book hit the nail on the head.

Should be said as with any anthology there are going to be ones that resonate with you and there maybe some that don’t. I can say this is the first anthology in a while where I wasn’t disappointed by anyone story. The collection is a nice spread of different styles.

Happy reading!

Loved this set of stories! Obviously a few I enjoyed more than others but as a collection, everyone definitely needs to pick it up!

This book is amazing! I absolutely had a blast reading this. If you are a huge fan of 80s creature feature sort of stories that take place at a movie theater or drive in, you need to read this. It was a quick easy read. Loved the small artwork details. There really wasn't a story that I didn't like. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

This is a great fun collection of short stories in the horror genre and when I saw it featured on netgalley i jumped at the chance to read it, it featured lots of authors and reminded me a bit of some of Stephen Kings novellas.

I really enjoyed the stories and it made a refreshing change to a horror novel and I managed to read it in one sitting. I have recommended to everyone in the book community and have since also purchased a copy for myself to feature on my book shelves.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for giving me a chance to read this in return for my honest review.

This was a fun read, with all of the stories sharing a theme of movie theaters or drive ins in the heyday of 80s classic cheesy horror films. There are aliens, serial killers, demons who steal souls through movies and then possess their victims, and more. Some of the stories were scary while others were more of a nostalgic and campy good time. As someone who grew up in the 80s spending most Friday nights at the drive in theater and most Saturday mornings in the video store poring through the new releases on VHS this was like a trip back in time to my youth.

When I saw this anthology on Netgalley I thought 'now that's a piece of me'. I love all things 80's horror movie related and this book promised to transport me to a time of old fashioned movie theatres, slashers and gore. However, these stories did not live up to that promise and I'm bummed out about it.

An anthology in my opinion should start with one of it's strongest stories, that way the mood is set early on and you know you're in for a good time. Unfortunately this particular anthology decided to start with it's weakest story and this was the case for the next 2 or 3 stories too. Around the 40% mark things took a turn and we had stories that grabbed my attention but still didn't blow me away and by the end I was kind of glad it was all over.

The gore wasn't spectacular, the horror wasn't impressive and there were too many stories in this anthology. I know that sounds a strange thing to say but I would have preferred fewer stories that were longer so the authors had more time to explore the themes they were paying homage to. The one thing I did enjoy was all the nods to the movies I love, Nightmare On Elm Street, The Evil Dead, Friday 13th. I wish they had have made more of the nostalgia though.

So all in all, an excellent premise that was poorly executed. Such a shame.

Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me the way I'd hoped it would. The promise of an 80s tinged short story collection of horror really spoke to me, but alas, the stories here didn't really work, for the most part. Mainly, they were TOO short. Half of the stories were dull enough or poorly written enough that I was okay with that, but others that seemed like there was something "more" to be told just stop abruptly...just as they were getting to that sweet spot. Upside: it's a ridiculously fast read, so I don't feel like I wasted my time. But I wish I had the chance to enjoy it the way I'd hoped I would.

**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you're a fan of the 80's, It Came From The Multiplex is just the book for you. It's set up like an anthology series. All the stories are wonderful, spooky, and has the cheesiness of the 80's you love. Each author did a great job giving you that creep factor and sucking you into the story. And it has the 80's feel from start to finish. Will not disappoint.

I miss going to the movies amidst this never-ending pandemic, so I requested this book just to fill in the void just a bit. Clearly '80s nostalgia is in vogue these days thanks to Stranger Things, and this book delivers on all of those memories of big hair-sprayed bangs, acid wash denim, Walkman radios and Casey Kasem-approved playlists! Oh how I wish I could go back in time for just one day to roller-skate around the rink with my giggling friends to the beats of Tiffany and Janet Jackson...sigh.

That said, if 80s pulp horror movie nostalgia is what you're looking for, this book's for you. If you're solely in it for the scares and psychological horror, get ready to be disappointed. Most of these stories are very tongue-in-cheek, especially when it comes to over-the-top insect monsters. I'm not a big fan of the B-grade movie monsters myself, but I did enjoy the campy atmosphere. Quite a few of these stories have LGBTQ themes, adding a modern twist to the typical teenage prototypes from that bygone movie era devoid of diversity, aside from the token Black kid.

Most of these stories took place in run-down movie houses or seedy drive-ins, so far from the luxurious leather recliner auditorium seats we're so accustomed to these days. Alamo Drafthouse has ruined me, y'all! Never again can I see a movie at a place that won't bring me pitchers of beer and gourmet pizzas.

But I digress. Horror movie buffs, do yourself a favor and read this book. You will especially enjoy the one about the strange theater that only serves a special clientele with very refined palettes. It has a Lovecraftian theme and a not-so-happy ending!

Note: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun collection! I very much enjoyed it, and I am also a sucker for 80s horror movies so it felt like it was made for me. Thanks Netgalley!

This was a fun 80's flashback, some stories were good & some were ok. I'm thankful I got the chance to read this. If you're into 80's and 50's scifi try this out.

I was really excited about this one because I'm a fan of '80s horror but I just couldn't get into a lot of these stories. Here's the thing, they're all fine. There were actually two out of the bunch that I really enjoyed, but I found the theme to be a little heavyhanded. It ended up feeling like the stories were all happening not in a similar location in different universes but the same universe and in the exact same spot.

3.5 Stars

IT CAME FROM THE MULTIPLEX—80s Midnight Chillers

’The stories in this anthology are a love letter to the 80s, the golden age of horror where blood and gore were faithfully rendered in 35mm Technicolor. It was a glorious time to experience film like RE-ANIMATOR, THE THING, HELLRAISER, THE LOST BOYS, PRINCE OF DARKNESS, CHILDREN OF THE CORN, and many, many more.’

My Favorites…

’The Cronenberg Concerto’ – by Keith Ferrell

’Creature Feature’ – by Gary Jonas

’Invisible’ – by Mario Acevedo

’Screen Haunt’ – by Orrin Grey

’The Devil’s Reel’ – by Sean Eads and Joshua Viola

’On The Rocks’ – by K. Nicole Davis

’Coming Attractions’ – by Stephen Graham Jones

’Late Sleepers’ – by Steve Rasnic Tem

’Special Makeup’ – by Kevin J. Anderson

Thank you, NetGalley and Hex Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of IT CAME FROM THE MULTIPLEX in exchange for an honest review.

This is another try on a anthology book. And, though I enjoyed reading, still isn't for me.

My problem is not, necessary, with this book, but anthology books in general.

But, as every anthology, this had some hits and some misses.

Some of the stories got my atencion, like Invisible, because I love me some serial killer story. But everytime I was invested, the story would end and another begun, so I wasn't always satisfay with the ending and not really interest with the beggining.

I wish this book was more level, but even for me, some of the stories stayed, so I classified this reading as a averege. .

Tons of fun! I loved all these little stories. But I especially loved the stories by Stephen Graham Jones, Angie Hodapp, and K. Nicole Davis. If you like shorter horror stories, and love the 80's, this book is for you.

Ah, the fun 80s! I grew up in the 80s! Extreme fashion, VHS, walkman, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, multiplexes and 80s horror movies! There is just something so nostalgic about the 80s. So when I see a book that says 80s Midnight Chillers, I knew I had to read it!

This is definitely one fun, spine-tingling, horror anthology! From bugs and aliens to ghosts, there are fourteen stories themed after 80s horror movies in this book. Just like any anthology, some stories stood out while others were just okay. Some stories were scarier with blood and gore while others were somewhat predictable and cheesy. It is like watching the Creepshow movie.

Overall, this is one entertaining read. I love the cover! So 80s and definitely gives me the Stranger Things vibes here.

***Thank you Hex Publishers and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.***

this was a super fun read, it brought me back to a awesome 80's horror movie. The stories were great and I had a lot of fun reading this.

It came from the multiplex is the latest anthology from hex publishers, and what a joy this one is! The package on this particular book is high quality from the cover, to the introduction which sets the tone, right down to the flip art drawings on the pages.

The collection is an homage to the 80’s horror flicks you’d catch at a drive in, or a grimy, run down cinema. Monsters and invasions and creatures and hauntings, this has it all. The stories are generally well written, there are only a few that stand out as exceptional, but overall, it’s a solid package and there was nothing in here that really DIDNT work for me. I loved this book and when I was finished I wanted more!

Some of my favorite stories here were

Coming Attractions
Late Sleepers
Screen Haunt
Alien Parasites from Outer Space

If the run down 80’s cinema vibe gives you the feels, check this out, and if it doesn’t, maybe this will convert you.

I really enjoyed this throwback visit to the horror movies of the 80s. Some of the short stories were better than others, but taken as a whole, the collection was exactly what I was expecting. Whether you are afraid of bugs, spent your youth at the drive-in, or just enjoy a good scare, this is definitely a book to check out.