Graduation Day (1981 film)

Graduation Day
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHerb Freed
Screenplay by
  • Anne Marisse
  • Herb Freed
Story byDavid Baughn
Produced by
  • David Baughn
  • Herb Freed
Starring
CinematographyDaniel Yarussi
Edited byMartin Jay Sadoff
Music byArthur Kempel
Production
company
IFI/Scope III
Distributed byIFI/Scope III
Release date
  • May 1, 1981 (1981-05-01)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$250,000
Box office$1.5 million–$23.9 million

Graduation Day is a 1981 American slasher film co-written, co-produced and directed by Herb Freed, and starring Christopher George, Patch Mackenzie, Michael Pataki, and E. Danny Murphy in his film debut. The plot follows a high school track team who are stalked and murdered by a masked assailant days before their graduation. Linnea Quigley, Vanna White, and Karen Abbott appear in supporting performances.

Filmed in Los Angeles, Graduation Day was released in the spring of 1981, grossing nearly $24 million on a budget of $250,000, far exceeding the genre's usual box office at the time. Though it received a largely negative reception, the film has since developed a cult following among fans of the genre.

The film features the Los Angeles new wave band Felony, who appear in the film, and whose music is used throughout.