Moonchild is a 1974 American independent horror film directed and produced by Alan Gadney. It was originally shot in 1971 as a student film (a Masters thesis project at the University of Southern California). The film received limited commercial release under the title The Moon Child, but failed to make much of an initial impression on audiences. It has since gained recognition among film enthusiasts who discovered it due to its impressive cast of character actors: John Carradine, Victor Buono, Pat Renella, Janet Landgard and William Challee.