Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Candyman

Play trailer 1:59 Poster for Candyman R 1992 1h 38m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago's Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman's description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Candyman

Candyman

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though it ultimately sacrifices some mystery in the name of gory thrills, Candyman is a nuanced, effectively chilling tale that benefits from an interesting premise and some fine performances.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (82)
Budd Wilkins Slant Magazine Candyman explicitly becomes a horror story about the power and fascination of horror stories. Jun 7, 2022 Full Review Monica Castillo Bitch Media Wonderfully playing against expectation, Candyman leaves you wondering where the story will go next, something missing in most horror movies. Jan 13, 2021 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune If Candyman doesn't live up to its potential, it does fulfill most of the Saturday night requirements. The action is swift, if excessively graphic, and Madsen proves a strong-willed, sympathetic lead. Rated: 3/4 Mar 4, 2020 Full Review Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk ...It’s a compelling gothic horror tale told well with the backdrop of nineties urban Chicago. Candyman is an iconic monster, and is one of the best horror movies on the topic of an urban legend. Rated: 8/10 Sep 18, 2025 Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views Todd does not appear until forty-four minutes into the ninety-nine-minute film, he dominates the film and becomes an icon, our twentieth century Dracula. The special effects may not hold up, and the green screen is discernible, but Todd is timeless. Jun 12, 2024 Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Tony Todd's performance and the Philip Glass score set the film apart from similar slashers, but it serves more as an effective compilation of scenes as opposed to an entirely satisfying full-length narrative. Rated: 3/5 Sep 24, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)
Jack F Very iconic in the horrorverse. Wasn't a fan of the reboot. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/19/25 Full Review Luis Ivan M A strong horror film with a compelling setup, though not without storytelling issues. The first act effectively invests us in the protagonist and her goals, though the pacing drags at times. We don’t encounter the titular antagonist until nearly halfway through the film, and by the time he appears, the narrative shifts, moving away from mystery and toward a more straightforward struggle for the protagonist to prove her innocence while facing Candyman. This second half is more visceral and action-driven, but offers less character development and isn’t as narratively interesting as the buildup that precedes it. The setting is one of the film’s greatest strengths. It uses its environment to gesture toward social commentary on inequality and crime in African-American neighborhoods, and it also weaves in themes of marriage troubles, folklore, and urban legends. However, none of these thematic threads are explored in depth; they remain intriguing, but underdeveloped. Technically, the film is impressive. Production design and cinematography create an unsettling atmosphere, while the visual effects hold up remarkably well. The editing maintains a solid rhythm, though the film could be slightly tighter. Philip Glass’s score is beautiful and haunting, an inspired, unexpected choice that elevates the film’s tone. Overall, Candyman is a well-executed piece of horror cinema. It delivers memorable set pieces and effective scares, and it’s easy to see why many consider it a classic. For me, the narrative could be stronger, but it’s still absolutely worth watching, especially for fans of the genre. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review Cash M One thing I like about this movie is how it feels the same as when I was young and played Bloody Mary with my friends. It really feels like a forboding film that only gets scarier from there. Overall 8/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/13/25 Full Review Marcellaus P. This is one of my favorite urban horror films. Unique in its approach to scare and tell urban lore. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/09/25 Full Review TheMovieSearch R The original Candyman is a landmark in horror cinema, and for good reason. From the very first scenes, it establishes a sense of dread that is both palpable and enduring. I remember being genuinely terrified as a child, particularly during the scenes involving swarms of bees. The film instills a fear that extends beyond its immediate narrative—simple acts like looking in a mirror or whispering his name in the wrong context become chilling exercises. This is a testament to the film’s ability to tap into primal fears and manipulate suspense expertly. Candyman himself is a figure of haunting presence, a villain whose menace lingers far beyond the screen. By introducing an African-American killer as a central figure in horror, the film broke new ground, adding a fresh and culturally resonant icon to the pantheon alongside Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Chucky, Leprechaun, and Pinhead. Candyman’s combination of tragic backstory, supernatural power, and psychological terror cemented him as a horror legend, one whose influence is still felt decades later. The screenplay is carefully structured to maximize tension and suspense. The story unfolds methodically, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements and a grounded urban setting that makes the threat feel real. While not flawless—the pacing occasionally lags and some scenes could have been more intense—the film’s ability to maintain a constant undercurrent of fear is remarkable. Every encounter with Candyman carries weight, leaving audiences literally on the edge of their seats. What makes Candyman so memorable is its imagery: the honeyed swarms of bees, the haunting hook, and the foreboding mirror scenes are etched into the collective memory of horror fans. These visual motifs, combined with the sense of unavoidable doom that Candyman represents, create a terrifying atmosphere that few horror films can match. Even now, the mere mention of his name evokes an instinctive shiver—a true mark of an enduring horror icon. Overall, the original Candyman is a masterclass in horror storytelling. It blends suspense, psychological tension, and supernatural elements in a way that is both compelling and terrifying, leaving a lasting impression that continues to influence the genre to this day. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/05/25 Full Review Edward B Essential horror movie absolutely fantastic this is on another level! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/10/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Candyman

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Candyman

View more videos
Misery 91% 90% Misery Watchlist Raising Cain 64% 41% Raising Cain Watchlist Dead of Winter 77% 48% Dead of Winter Watchlist Psycho IV: The Beginning 29% 33% Psycho IV: The Beginning Watchlist Pet Sematary 58% 60% Pet Sematary Watchlist TRAILER for Pet Sematary Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago's Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman's description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.
Director
Bernard Rose
Producer
Steve Golin, Alan Poul, Sigurjon Sighvatsson
Screenwriter
Clive Barker, Bernard Rose
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures
Production Co
Propaganda Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$23.5M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now