John Carpenter still loves “Escape from L.A.”

The film didn’t do so well at the box office when it first came out in 1996.

However, the film has developed a bit of a cult following since then.

Carpenter says that part of the movie’s failure came from the timing.

It was up against “Independence Day” in theaters.

Carpenter called the film “up and bright and happy.”

“It was fun — even though a lot of people got killed in it — it was fun,” he admitted.

Of “Escape’s” new cult status, he said, “People are able to enjoy this kind of thing at a distance.”

He said he also feels “fabulous” about the renewed interest in the “Halloween” franchise.