This Halloween, Gushers is resurrecting a chilling piece of ’90s nostalgia: its infamous Fruitheads commercial. In response to ongoing online conversations about the ad fueling fans’ nightmares for years, Gushers has transformed the spot into a short horror film created in partnership with Imagine Entertainment, starring award-winning actor Bradley Whitford (“Get Out”) and viral creator Chester Collins, and directed by Mike Diva, known for his visually striking style.
“The Fruitheads ad has lived rent-free in the heads of Gushers fans for nearly 30 years, and they still can’t stop talking about it on social media,” said Stephanie Lensing, Brand Experience Manager for Gushers at General Mills. “So, this Halloween, we’re finally giving them what they want with a reimagining of that ’90s ad with thrills and a bit of the humor our fans love from Gushers.”
The new short, titled “FruitHead,” takes the commercial to sinister new depths, revealing how one unlucky actor from the ’90s ad was cursed to live his life as a FruitHead. Now, as an adult (played by Collins), the character seeks horrifying revenge on the TV commercial director (played by Whitford) who made him this way.
In the film, Whitford’s character lets his early career ambition get the best of him by cursing a bag of Gushers, forever transforming the life of one of the commercial’s stars.
“It was so much fun to play this character and reimagine the original FruitHead ads to give them this haunting backstory,” said Whitford.
For those brave enough to face the horror in person, creepy oranges plucked straight from the film will haunt the streets of New York City on Thursday, October 9, from 3-9 p.m. ET at the Village Works Bookstore, daring fans to report sightings and watch the film for themselves.
And the terror doesn’t stop there: the “FruitHead” film will make its festival debut at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival this fall. Fans can also grab Gushers in new theater-style boxes in stores nationwide and bring the nightmare home, wherever they dare to watch.
For exclusive scares, behind-the-scenes content, and FruitHead sightings, fans should also keep an eye on Gushers on TikTok and Instagram.
