The Island of Dr. Moreau

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The Island of Dr. Moreau

PG-13

1996

1h 35m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

22%

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36 Reviews

20%

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25,000+ Ratings

An English U.N. negotiator (David Thewlis) becomes stranded in the tropics with a mad scientist (Marlon Brando) who makes half-human beasts.

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Critics Consensus

Timid and unfocused in its storytelling, The Island Of Dr. Moreau is more lackluster misfire than morbid curiosity.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

John Frankenheimer is credited as director, but given the scrambled, multiple agendas at play here, he seems to function more like a bemused traffic cop.

Jun 14, 2022

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Brando's performance is enormous fun, but it's not just a joke. He's hilarious and gently mesmerizing at once, and director John Frankenheimer savvily adjusts the tone of his movie to fit Brando's daft brilliance.

Feb 27, 2018

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Roughly akin to watching a slow-motion train wreck in which the flames spread into the brush and become an out-of-control wildfire. What the hell happened?

Aug 16, 2016

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Sean Burns

WBUR’s Arts & Culture

There are a few good gonzo moments if you like watching miserable oddballs try to capsize a movie — Brando does a whole scene with an ice bucket on his head — but the headliners have far less screen time than you’d hope.

May 22, 2025

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Not even the most devoted Frankenheimer enthusiast will find a coherent outcome, no matter how layered it may be with admirable degrees of pure oddity and (arguably intentional) hokum.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 30, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Thanks to special creature and makeup effects by Stan Winston, the various deformed fiends take center stage, showcasing diverting designs and a decent production value.

Rated: 4/10

Sep 14, 2020

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $27,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

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D P

Worse than the first one. I don't know how they convinced the great Marlon Brando to do this film. He must have needed the money.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

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Mark F

The most outrageous spectacle you'll ever witness. I jest, it's bonkers but one of those so bad it's good movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

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Jelisije J

One of the worst films that you will ever see and to be honest I rather watch a documentary to how this film was made instead of rewatching this film again.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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Monty F

I liked it. For those who thought it was a hot mess, should an island full of experimental part man part beast run by a couple of insaniacs be any less. It had a straight forward story and didn’t need to be anymore than that. I saw the documentary about it first and thought I’d watch to see how bad it was. I ended up enjoying it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

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MG_Claymore C

Frankenheimer is credited as director but after seeing the film, I bet he wishes he wasn't. Pretty sure this film is still up on YouTube. It's still not been taken down by copyright claim (DMCA'ed) In other words, even Warner Bros. doesn't want to claim this steaming heap of dog sh*t. Haha!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

Full Review

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Marlon Brando

Dr. Moreau

Val Kilmer

Montgomery

David Thewlis

Edward Douglas

Fairuza Balk

Aissa

Ron Perlman

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Synopsis

An English U.N. negotiator (David Thewlis) becomes stranded in the tropics with a mad scientist (Marlon Brando) who makes half-human beasts.

Director: John Frankenheimer
Producer: Edward R. Pressman
Screenwriter: Richard Stanley, Ron Hutchinson
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.7M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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