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The Phantom of the Opera

R Released Nov 4, 1989 1h 30m Horror List
33% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A sandbagged New York soprano (Jill Schoelen) dreams she's being chased by a slasher (Robert Englund) in Victorian London.

Critics Reviews

View All (12) Critics Reviews
Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Doing a period piece on an '80s slasher budget was a doomed idea. Rated: 4/10 Jun 5, 2016 Full Review Heather Wixson Daily Dead Focusing more on the horror contained within Leroux's original story, this version is a wickedly ghastly and blood-soaked tale of obsession that allows Robert Englund the room to do what he does best as a performer- go nuts. Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 6, 2016 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed The big climax intended as a surprise reveal is just drawn out and lackluster. May 17, 2015 Full Review Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Englund brings none of the pathos that charged the iconic performances by Lon Chaney (1925 version) and Claude Rains (1943 version), and the result is a dreary rendering of a story we know all too well. Rated: 1.5/4 Mar 4, 2015 Full Review Dustin Putman TheBluFile.com A worthwhile curiosity, one that has understandably achieved cult status in the decades since its release. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 28, 2015 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 3, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (860) audience reviews
Tina G "Only love… and music… are forever." The ethereal beauty of this film takes my breath away every time I watch it. It is intoxicating and laced with danger, but you like it that way. You are led through tunnels of space and time to behold the immortal bloom of music and love, intertwined. You are embraced by the darkness itself, and it feels like… home. I savoured every single minute of the film. There are no false notes. All is perfect, without a blemish. Robert Englund and Jill Schoelen's performances are brilliant. You are not likely to forget Erik Destler, a dark angel with a soul as corrupt as it is pure, who was made flesh and blood by Mr. Englund's genius. Everyone who worked on the film did their job marvellously. Beyond praise. I would also like to give a round of applause to Nancy Fontana and, last but not least, Misha Segal for his music. It is one of a kind. The Phantom of the Opera is a masterpiece that will live on … forever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/16/24 Full Review robert p So many good versions of The Phantom of the Opera are floating around out there that this version just is not any good! Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Could have been a Cannon! Yes, this slasher take on the Gaston Leroux classic was going to be directed by Twins of Evil director John Hough and man, what a movie that would have been. That version was set in 1881, but the new movie — which was transferred to the 21st Century Film Corporation, which let's be honest was just Menahem Golan's severance package — was moved to the present day and seen as an opportunity to have a slasher franchise with a follow-up already planned The Phantom of the Opera 2: Terror in Manhattan. That never made sequel is why this movie has an opening and close in modern day New York City. Supposedly, most of the ideas of that sequel show up in Dance Macabre. The smart part of this film — which ended up being directed by Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers maker Dwight H. Little — is casting Jill Schoelen as our heroine, Christine. In the beginning, she's an opera singer seeking a unique audition song and her agent (Molly Shannon!) introduces her to Erik Destler's "Don Juan Triumphant." Never mind that Destler was a killer who may have also been responsible for the disappearance of another young opera singer. When she does use the song, a sandbank knocks her out, shatters a mirror and sends her back to 1885 and into the world of Destler. Making things even stranger is the knowledge that Destler sold hissoul to the Devil in exchange for people losing his music. Of course, Satan gives him what he wants, but disfigures his face so that his music will be the only thing that people love him for; they will never see or hear him performing it. Seeing as how this ended up in our slasher month, it earns its way there by having a Phantom that skins people alive and uses their skin to cover his own. He can also only be killed when his music is destroyed. And even when Christine comes back to our time, he will find a way to follow her. I've always avoided this movie and after watching it, I can see the error of my ways. It's not great — it's a late 80s horror movie looking for a place to belong. But the makeup is great, Englund is having fun and Schoelen is always an engaging and perfect horror actress. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member This was a great version of Phantom! Great performance’s from both Robert Englund and Jill Schoelen Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/23/21 Full Review steve d A simple slasher but an effective one. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This was not a good movie, but it had some worthwhile moments. I am a sucker for the soft look of real film, so visually I was not disappointed it that respect. England also brought something to the table here. He wasn't so heavy handed, and cartoonist like Freddy in Nightmare on Elm Street 2-8. His Phantom reminded me a little of Tony Todd's Candyman, but this Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Phantom of the Opera

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The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Everyone Dies The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Everyone Dies 3:37 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - The Legend of the Phantom The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - The Legend of the Phantom 2:04 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Christine Gets the Part The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Christine Gets the Part 2:42 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - You're Suspended The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - You're Suspended 1:58 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Killer Review The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Killer Review 1:46 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Not Forever! The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Not Forever! 2:56 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Captive Audience The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Captive Audience 2:19 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Our Souls Are One The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Our Souls Are One 2:59 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Traveling Through Time The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Traveling Through Time 1:37 The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Dinner Is Served The Phantom of the Opera: Official Clip - Dinner Is Served 2:22 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis A sandbagged New York soprano (Jill Schoelen) dreams she's being chased by a slasher (Robert Englund) in Victorian London.
Director
Dwight H. Little
Producer
Menahem Golan
Screenwriter
Gaston Leroux, Duke Sandefur
Distributor
21st Century Film Corporation [us], Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation, 21st Century Film Corp., Dee Gee Entertainment, Breton Film Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 4, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.1M
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Ultra-Stereo, Surround