Children of the Corn

Children of the Corn

Year: 1984

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Fritz Kiersch

ThrillerHorror

In a remote rural area, a disturbing phenomenon grips a small town where children have turned against their parents. Led by the influential 12-year-old Eden, the young residents believe they are fulfilling a divine purpose by eliminating the adults. As the adult population dwindles, a resourceful high school student finds themselves as the last hope for the community, facing a terrifying and violent rebellion led by Eden and the town’s children.

Children of the Corn (1984) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Children of the Corn (1984) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet stretches of rural Nebraska, endless rows of corn loom like silent sentinels over a town that once thrived on simple harvests. The landscape is both picturesque and unsettling, its golden waves hiding a growing unease that grips the community. A collective fear of failure has given way to a fervent belief that the land itself demands a dark covenant, and the atmosphere is thick with whispered prayers and the rustle of stalks that seem to listen.

At the heart of this tension stands Eden, a charismatic twelve‑year‑old whose influence over the town’s children is as powerful as it is mysterious. Under her guidance, the younger residents have formed a tightly knit group that interprets the world through a stark, ritualistic lens, believing they are serving a higher purpose. Their devotion creates a palpable divide between the generations, turning ordinary interactions into quiet confrontations.

Into this volatile mix arrives the high school student, a resourceful outsider whose arrival is accidental yet fated. Already accustomed to navigating the social hierarchies of adolescence, they quickly become the town’s reluctant sounding board and, perhaps, its only bridge to the adult world that has begun to wane. Their curiosity and determination clash with the children’s rigid creed, setting up a tense dynamic that pulses with both dread and the faint hope of redemption.

The film’s tone is a slow‑burning blend of rural gothic and psychological suspense, where the rustling cornfields serve as both setting and metaphor for the hidden forces at work. As the seasons shift and the harvest approaches, the audience is left to wonder how far the children’s unwavering belief will carry them, and whether the high school student’s pragmatic spirit can illuminate a path through the encroaching darkness.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:09

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Sinister Rural Horror Movies like Children of the Corn

Communities isolated in remote settings succumb to a hidden, evil force.If you liked the oppressive dread of Children of the Corn, explore more movies where isolated towns hide a dark secret. These films feature remote settings, fanatical communities, and protagonists discovering a malevolent force that has twisted the locals against them.

oppressivesinistereerieclaustrophobicdesperateharrowingisolated

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows outsiders or last sane individuals discovering that an isolated community is under the control of a sinister force. The story involves uncovering the source of the corruption, navigating the threat posed by the brainwashed locals, and a desperate struggle to escape the enclave of evil.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared atmosphere of rural dread, the theme of a community collectively possessed by a dark ideology or entity, and the central conflict of survival against an overwhelming, localized threat.

Cult Horror Movies Similar to Children of the Corn

Stories where unwavering devotion to a creed justifies horrific violence.Fans of Children of the Corn's theme of religious fanaticism will find more chilling tales here. Discover movies about isolated cults, charismatic leaders, and the horror of true belief that justifies murder and sacrifice, creating a tense fight for survival.

anxiousbrutalunsettlingdogmaticdesperateritualisticterror

Narrative Summary

The plot typically involves protagonists confronting a closed community governed by a dangerous belief system. The conflict escalates as the cult's rituals and goals are revealed, often involving sacrifice or purging non-believers, leading to a violent confrontation between fanaticism and reason.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on the dynamics of cults: the charismatic leadership, the indoctrination of followers, the justification of violence through dogma, and the chilling portrayal of groupthink leading to horror.

Unlock the Full Story of Children of the Corn

Don't stop at just watching — explore Children of the Corn in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Children of the Corn is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Children of the Corn Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Children of the Corn, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Children of the Corn Summary

Children of the Corn Timeline

Track the full timeline of Children of the Corn with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Children of the Corn Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Children of the Corn

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Children of the Corn. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Children of the Corn

More About Children of the Corn

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Children of the Corn: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Children of the Corn