 The film was originally completed in late 1988 and was one of the  last films completed by distributor New World Pictures when they  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The films trailer was actually  shown before early 1989 theatrical releases. Instead of going direct  to video, Warlock was picked up and released in theatres by Trimark  Pictures in 1991. Its box office success lead to a sequel,  "Warlock: The Armageddon" in which Trimark also released  theatrically.