Candyman

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1:59

Candyman

R

Released Oct 16, 1992

1h 38m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

63%

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.

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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.

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Budd Wilkins

Slant Magazine

Candyman explicitly becomes a horror story about the power and fascination of horror stories.

Jun 7, 2022

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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

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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

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

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Candyman is perfectly shot, and its central characters are iconic.

Aug 21, 2023

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Filmgal G

This movie is an absolute classic. Tony Todd is excellent as Candyman, and Virginia Madsen as Helen is amazing. You want to root for her. The story is captivating, and some things throughout the film are bone-chilling, whether that be their death scenes and the consequences, or just the words that Candyman says. The writing is excellent, and all the messages they are trying to convey are done exceptionally well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

Full Review

K K

Excellent scary movie, with gross scenes. Unique story, strong acting, and excellent visuals. The thing that impressed me was Tony Todd as Daniel Robitaille / Candyman's devotion to the character by taking bee stings (so smart to have this in contracted compensation for the harms of bee stings). The rest of the cast, including the other lead, Virginia Madsen, as Helen Lyle, was excellent. A movie that gets better and better over time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

Yossam I

Madsen and Todd work as perfect fools for each other in this truly unnerving horror

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

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John B

Intense, stylized, and overall creepy film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

Full Review

J H

One of my favorite movies of the 1990s.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Daniel C

This movie is an absolute masterpiece. Tony Todd played Candyman perfectly and he worked very well with Virginia Madsen. This movie has aged well and will never get old. Absolutely amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

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Bernard Rose

Director

Virginia Madsen

Helen Lyle

Tony Todd

Candyman

Xander Berkeley

Trevor Lyle

Kasi Lemmons

Bernadette 'Bernie' Walsh

Vanessa Williams

Anne-Marie McCoy

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Candyman: Trailer 1

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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)

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