Curse of the Puppet Master

A late-’90s entry in the cult Puppet Master saga that blends dollhouse dread with the carnival weirdness of a traveling freak show.

• Practical effects and puppetry remain the franchise’s twisted charm, with Toulon’s tiny terrors stealing every scene.
• The House of Marvels setting adds a grimy, offbeat circus vibe that’s rare in doll horror, expanding the world beyond the usual hotel backdrops.
• More a curiosity for franchise completists and fans of niche puppet horror than newcomers—its pacing and tone feel a bit uneven compared to earlier entries.
• A solid example of ’90s direct-to-video horror’s commitment to practical creature work over CGI shortcuts, preserving that tactile nightmare quality.