The Howling

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The Howling

R

1981

1h 31m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

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46 Reviews

61%

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25,000+ Ratings

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

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Critics Consensus

The Howling packs enough laughs into its lycanthropic carnage to distinguish it from other werewolf entries, with impressive visual effects adding some bite.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

11/06/2005

B

A perverse, satirical contribution to the oft-maligned werewolf genre.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

10/23/2004

2/4

Ridiculous -- yes. Comical at times -- yes.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 7

3.5/4

Second only to 1941’s The Wolf Man as the greatest werewolf flick ever made.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Oct 25

It offers an interesting take with inventive effects (thanks to Rob Bottin), impressive moments of horror, an undercurrent of dark humor, and an earthy, feral sensibility.

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John Ferguson

Radio Times

Oct 2

4/5

Co-writer John Sayles and director Joe Dante have huge fun turning werewolf clichés on their head in this rare beast - a horror film that gore fans and film buffs can enjoy.

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Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

Apr 10

3/5

Joe Dante’s ‘81 rendering is so distinct from its basis that it’s practically a different beast.

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steve

Apr 28

Absolute CLASSIC werewolf flick!!! Worth the watch for old school nostalgia 80s horror.

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James H.

@420Drive-in Jan 23

The howling is a top tier monster movie. The practical effects rival that of An American werewolf in London. This is a truly gritty adaptation of werewolf lore and is definitely worth a watch.

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Stephen O.

@DonSevo Nov 27

Solid werewolf movie. The suspense is palpable at times, and the effects are quite convincing. I would say that the werewolves are akin to Dog Soldiers. It has its flaws for sure, but great movie overall. I definitely recommend at least one watch on this.

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Kim P

Nov 1

The female werewolf looks more glamorous than half the women I ever dated. Hard to look scary when you're done up like you belong on the cover of Elle or Cosmopolitan. Pretty much knocked the movie down a notch in my estimation.

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Julian C.

@juliancooper_12 Oct 17

Although slow in its pace, The Howling has great werewolf practical effects and a great performance from Dee Wallace

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Titus A

@Titus_Andronicus Oct 16

This and An American Werewolf in London are by far the best werewolf movies of all time. Especially in there originality. And the special effects were amazing for their time in both movies. Both the Howling and aAWiL had very different and yet wholly original stories / takes on the werewolf story legend. The old school actors in this are amazing: John Carradine. Patrick Macnee. Slim Pickins. And Kevin McCarthy. Along with the wonderful Dee Wallace. This horror movie still holds up all these years.

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Joe Dante

Director

Dee Wallace

Karen White

Patrick Macnee

Dr. George Waggner

Dennis Dugan

Chris

Christopher Stone

R. William (Bill) Neill

Belinda Balaski

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Synopsis

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Daniel H. Blatt, Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell, Steven A. Lane
Screenwriter: Gary Brandner, John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Distributor: AVCO Embassy Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Image Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2017
Runtime: 1h 31m

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