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Manhunter

Play trailer Poster for Manhunter R Released Aug 22, 1986 1h 59m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William L. Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecktor and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).
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Manhunter

Manhunter

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Critics Consensus

Michael Mann introduces audiences to Hannibal Lecter for the first time in Manhunter, a modish thriller that fleshes out Thomas Harris' heinous creations with an elegant, chilling detachment.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) This slick thriller has been overshadowed by The Silence of the Lambs, but it is a compelling piece of film-making. Sep 8, 2023 Full Review Paul Attanasio Washington Post ... "Manhunter" is a gory and gorgeous cop thriller... Jan 4, 2018 Full Review David Edelstein Slate Manhunter ushered in the age of empathy for the devil. Feb 7, 2007 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson With its intentional palette of glowing colors, pulsing electronic score, and dynamic camera shifts from angles, cuts, and differing points of view, Manhunter was ahead of its time and under-appreciated. Rated: 5/5 Jul 20, 2025 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch Michael Mann’s gripping, boldly stylized take on Hannibal Lecter is a crime thriller like no other. Rated: 8.4/10 Sep 8, 2023 Full Review Alan French Sunshine State Cineplex The stunning vision of a man rotting from the inside is one of Mann’s finest works, and remains one of his definitive character studies. Rated: 10/10 Aug 18, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Janos B Worked in forensic’s for over 2 decades. Material is very accurate, this is an excellent movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review Amber M Mann's visual aesthetic combined with the source material of Harris is a slick and tense package with its own unique boatload of frights. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/03/25 Full Review Paul W A standout thriller with the impressive trio of Cox, Petersen and Farina blowing away the overhyped Silence of the Lambs. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/25 Full Review William L Terrific film from start to finish. Breath taking with amazing visuals. Great storyline that keeps building up the suspense with an amazing soundtrack. Compelling characters with great acting from its stars, most notably William Petersen as Will Graham. A true gem and a Michael Mann masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/25 Full Review Alli S Silence Of The Lambs couldn't. hold a candle to this movie on its best day. Talk about a thriller! William Peterson plays an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer. In the movie, he asks for the assistance of Hannibal Lector vwho us already in jail for his crimes, BRILLIANTLY played by Brian Cox, and he's. very scary. The movie is terrifying and suspenseful without being overly gory. Great cast, including the amazing Dennis Farina. A must-see for crime thriller fans. Oh, and did I mention the great musical score? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Tamás V A mostly styleless and flavorless adaptation that makes baffling omissions and feels like it was made out of obligation rather than actual love and understanding of the material. This Lecktor is no Lecter unfortunately. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 06/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Manhunter

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Mann

Director

William Petersen

FBI Agent Will Graham (as William Petersen)

Kim Greist

Molly Graham

Dennis Farina

FBI Section Chief Jack Crawford

Joan Allen

Reba McClane

Brian Cox

Dr. Hannibal Lecktor

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Manhunter

Manhunter (1986) Manhunter (1986) Manhunter (1986) Manhunter (1986) Manhunter (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William L. Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecktor and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).
Director
Michael Mann
Producer
Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter
Michael Mann
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Columbia, Sony Pictures Classics
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 22, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.0M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
Surround
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