The Changeling

Play trailer

The Changeling

R

Released Mar 28, 1980

1h 47m

Horror

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Composer John Russell (George C. Scott) is vacationing with his family when a car accident kills his wife and daughter. Distraught with grief, Russell leaves his home in New York City for a giant, secluded house near Seattle. Soon Russell starts to feel the presence of a ghost, a boy who drowned in the bathtub there. Russell seeks the assistance of Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere), who led him to the house initially, in uncovering the secrets of the boy's death.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

George C. Scott's somber performance gives this haunted house horror a moving soul to go along with its harrowing scares.

Read Critics Reviews

Variety Staff

Variety

The Changeling is a superior haunted house thriller.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Fiona Ferguson

Time Out

The leaps made by Scott's agile mind in identifying both victim and usurper leave logic and credence on the starting block.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

If it only took craftsmanship to make a haunted house movie, The Changeling would be a great one.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

It’s spooky without being schlocky, terror with hardly a drop of blood. And as effective as the haunted house device is, the real mystery driving the haunting is so cold-blooded and practical that you won’t even think twice about its motivation.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 31, 2024

Full Review

Brian Bisesi

Horror Movie Club Podcast

While the film’s mystery becomes increasingly outlandish as it unfolds, The Changeling brings subtle yet effective chills and pacing that keeps the viewer engaged from start to finish.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 3, 2024

Full Review

John Brosnan

Starburst

The movie is basically old and familiar territory revisited but Medak is a good enough film maker to make you feel the visit has been worth-while.

Jul 26, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Daniel P

I love its plot, overall tone, atmosphere and score. The only thing that throws me off is the main character's lack of fear. He experiences the supernatural with almost no reaction whatsoever, which kind of alienates me a little bit. But other than that the film is great

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

Full Review

Sye S

I adore this movie.. have done since a young child. It's dark and keeps you feeling on edge. Fantastic movie for a winters night at home.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

Full Review

Melissa L

I probably saw this a long time ago, as I have been a horror fan since the '70s. This movie is from1979...although some movie sites say 1980. Regardless, I rewatched it today, and is still one of the best horror films today. Recommended!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

Craig W.

A pleasant surprise for a scary movie, worth the watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

Full Review

Brad S. R

Genuinely terrifying with an absorbing mystery at its core, The Changeling is one of the finest haunted house films ever made.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

Full Review

j15j15j15 j

아무리 시간이 지나도 미제사건을 늘 고민하고 생각하며 진실을 밝히려 노력하는 것은 우리가 추구해야 할 정의 중 하나라고 생각합니다. 전화나 편지해주셔서 그리고 누추한 저의 집에도 방문해셔서 감사드립니다. 잘 부탁드립니다. @}>--->>*

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Peter Medak

Director

George C. Scott

John Russell

Trish Van Devere

Claire Norman

Melvyn Douglas

Senator Joe Carmichael

John Colicos

Captain DeWitt

Jean Marsh

Joanna Russell

The Howling

75%

60%

The Howling

Watchlist

The Beast Within

17%

35%

The Beast Within

Watchlist

Friday the 13th, Part 2

35%

49%

Friday the 13th, Part 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Friday the 13th, Part 2

Amityville II: The Possession

27%

36%

Amityville II: The Possession

Watchlist

Damien: Omen II

50%

48%

Damien: Omen II

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Composer John Russell (George C. Scott) is vacationing with his family when a car accident kills his wife and daughter. Distraught with grief, Russell leaves his home in New York City for a giant, secluded house near Seattle. Soon Russell starts to feel the presence of a ghost, a boy who drowned in the bathtub there. Russell seeks the assistance of Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere), who led him to the house initially, in uncovering the secrets of the boy's death.

Director: Peter Medak
Screenwriter: Russell Hunter, William Gray
Distributor: Associated Film Distribution
Production Co: Chessman Park Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2018
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now