Synopsis
Midnight Madness is what happens when someone decides a normal scavenger hunt just isn’t unhinged enough and cranks it up to “citywide chaos after dark.” A group of mismatched teams — ranging from overachievers to total disasters — are thrown into an all-night race filled with bizarre clues, ridiculous challenges, and increasingly questionable decision-making.
As the night spirals on, alliances crumble, egos inflate, and common sense completely clocks out. Landmarks turn into battlegrounds, simple tasks become absurd ordeals, and every team is convinced they’re one clue away from glory (even when they’re very much not). Fueled by competition, confusion, and what feels like zero sleep, the race becomes less about winning and more about surviving the madness with your dignity… mostly intact.
It’s loud, chaotic, and delightfully ridiculous — a high-energy comedy that proves the best adventures happen when nobody really knows what they’re doing.
Actors & Crew
- David Naughton plays Eric, the quick-thinking leader of one of the film’s competing teams. He first caught national attention with a series of popular Dr Pepper commercials before starring in Midnight Madness, and became even more widely known for his iconic role as David Kessler in An American Werewolf in London (1981).
- Debra Clinger plays Laura. Born April 1, 1956, in New York City, she built her career in the late 1970s and 1980s playing lively, engaging characters with a natural on-screen warmth.
- Eddie Deezen plays Wesley, one of the film’s most memorable personalities, bringing his signature nervous energy and rapid-fire humor to the chaos of the race. He gained early recognition in Grease (1978) and went on to a long career as a prolific voice actor.
- Brad Wilkin plays Scott, one of the competing team members caught up in the scavenger hunt. His time in the spotlight was relatively brief, but his contribution to Midnight Madness has kept his name alive among fans of the film.
- Maggie Roswell plays Donna. Beyond live-action roles, Roswell became especially well known for her voice work — most notably on The Simpsons, where she brought to life multiple beloved characters including Helen Lovejoy, Maude Flanders, and Miss Hoover.
- Stephen Furst plays Harold. He first gained major attention as Kent “Flounder” Dorfman in Animal House (1978), and later transitioned into television with memorable roles in St. Elsewhere and Babylon 5, also working as a director and producer.
- Alan Solomon plays Leon, the energetic mastermind who creates and runs the sprawling, all-night scavenger hunt that sends the competing teams racing across the city. Outside of Midnight Madness, Solomon’s on-screen credits are limited, but his role as Leon remains the one he’s most associated with.
- This was also Michael J. Fox’s debut role, credited as Michael Fox. We did his bio back when we covered Back to the Future.
Budget & Shooting Locations
- Released: February 8, 1980
- Rated: PG
- Budget: $4.5 million
- Box Office: $2.9 million
- Filmed on location across Los Angeles at more than 25 spots, including Griffith Observatory, the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Johnie’s Coffee Shop on Wilshire Blvd, Occidental College, Walt Disney Studios, the Hollywood Tower, Malibu Grand Prix, LAX Airport (Terminal 2), Sherman Clay Steinway Hall, and the Pabst Brewery.
Rewatch verdict and Cringe Meter
Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter: 70% (2,500+ Ratings). There’s no official Tomatometer score for this one — only a single critic review with real content is on record. Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times, 11/13/2004) gave it 1/4 stars, writing: “It’s a pleasant, well-meaning little comedy, and it’s obviously trying for the same kind of innocent, sophomoric humor that was so charming in ‘Junior High School.’ But it just doesn’t have the same magic.”
The film’s critical reception was historically poor upon its release. Today, it’s largely viewed as a cult favorite, which is reflected in the significantly higher audience rating compared to the few available critic reviews.
