Purple People Eater is a 1988 American science-fiction comedy film based on Sheb Wooley's 1958 novelty song of the same name, written and directed by Linda Shayne, and stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, Dustin Diamond, Peggy Lipton, and Thora Birch in her film debut. Chubby Checker and Little Richard made musical guest appearances. The film was released on December 16, 1988.