Trivia

In this sequel, for the first and only time in the series, the main characters refer to the dwarves as "Lurkers" and the spheres as "Sentinels".

An alternative ending was filmed but not used: Reggie and Tim travel up to the wild regions of Alaska. Reggie digs a small hole in the ice and Tim places a little case (containing The Tall Man's gold sphere) inside. Subsequently, Reggie puts a metal plaque over the hole and seals it up. The plaque reads "Here Lies The Tall Man - R.I.P.". Reggie then says "Now, all we have to worry about is global warming" and they walk off.

Universal changed the title from 'Phantasm III' to 'Phantasm: Lord of the Dead' for a theatrical test release, feeling that the general public had forgotten the name 'Phantasm', and therefore would avoid seeing the film if it were obviously part of a continuing series.

(at around 9 mins) A. Michael Baldwin's wife, Jennifer Bross, has a cameo appearance near the beginning as the nurse behind a desk who greets Reggie while listening to a Walkman.

After the mild box-office results of Phantasm II (1988) ( which earned approximately $8 million dollars at the US office, against a budget of $3 million dollars ) , Universal Studios chose not to personally pursue a sequel but did offer to distribute it, should Don Coscarelli and associates make it themselves. With no casting restrictions this time, Coscarelli offered the role of Mike to his original performer, A. Michael Baldwin, who returned to the role after almost 16 years.