Rocco's Psycho Teens is a franchise that was born out of the exploitation film scene, specifically the teen exploitation genre that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The series was created by Rocky Russo, a filmmaker known for his raw, unapologetic approach to storytelling. The first film in the series, released in 2002, was a low-budget, high-concept affair that followed a group of rebellious teenagers as they navigated the complexities of high school life.