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

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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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Maurice M

Finally watched this on a whim this Halloween… it was dire. Bunch of laugh out loud moments and at one point I was ready to switch off but I saw it through. Can’t believe it has such a high score here, I thought it was silly and boring and not scary in the least. Don’t get the love at all

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Regina P

Having now seen a total of 4 Candyman movies, this may be the only one that I would consider as good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Solomon K

This is one of the best horror movies. Based on the short story by Clive Barker it is one of the few stories I actually enjoyed more as a film. Parts of it will make you sad, make you wonder and of course there are the grisly kills. What’s not to like? A definite classic! Sadly, I’ve noticed a lot of people leaving bad reviews for the recent sequel here. Not sure how they don’t know the difference between this original and that garbage.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

Full Review

Christian K

Great lore and solid atmosphere, with good, campy, and insane supporting performances.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

Jay H

One of my all-time favorite horror movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

Full Review

Julian S

Its lasting significance stems from its attention to racial issues and exploration of political and ethical themes, accompanied by Philip Glass's evocative score and the career-defining performances by Madsen and Todd. It truly stands as a work of art.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

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: Official Clip - Burn Him!

3:13

Candyman: Official Clip - Sweets To The Sweet

2:13

Candyman: Official Clip - Summoning The Candyman

1:50

Candyman: Official Clip - Better Off Dead

3:00

Candyman: Official Clip - Candyman's Lair

3:00

Candyman: Official Clip - Innocent Blood

1:30

Candyman: Official Clip - The Scariest Story I've Ever Heard

2:21

Candyman: Official Clip - The Legend of Candyman

2:13

Candyman: Official Clip - Believe In Me

1:55

Candyman: Official Clip - Be My Victim

2:25

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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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