The Howling

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The Howling

R

Released Apr 3, 1981

1h 31m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

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44 Reviews

60%

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25,000+ Ratings

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

Critics Consensus

The Howling packs enough laughs into its lycanthropic carnage to distinguish it from other werewolf entries, with impressive visual effects adding some bite.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A perverse, satirical contribution to the oft-maligned werewolf genre.

Rated: B

Nov 6, 2005

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Ridiculous -- yes. Comical at times -- yes.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 23, 2004

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Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

Joe Dante’s ‘81 rendering is so distinct from its basis that it’s practically a different beast.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 10, 2025

Full Review

Kristy Strouse

Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying

Well performed, with convincing effects for its time, The Howling isn’t the best werewolf feature, but it’s required viewing for any fan.

Oct 26, 2022

Full Review

Tony Crawley

Starburst

Rob Bottin's Howling man-to-werewolf sequence is like nothing you've ever seen before. It's amazing!

Jul 27, 2022

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...still shocks and amuses in equal parts...

Rated: 4/5

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

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steve

Absolute CLASSIC werewolf flick!!! Worth the watch for old school nostalgia 80s horror.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas de terror são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/25

Full Review

Kalissa H

Wasn’t as good as other 80s werewolf movie. I liked An American Werewolf in London and The Company of Werewolves better, even Teen Wolf was better.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

Full Review

Andre K

Classic 80's R-Rated Werewolf Movie!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

Full Review

Diet Dr. Paul .

This is the GOAT when it comes to werewolf movies… hands down! Joe Dante, Dee Wallace and an insane performance from Robert Picardo! And it still has the second best practical werewolf transformation of all time, just behind American Werewolf in London but it’s very, very close! Simply amazing and an absolute classic!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Meant to scare me in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

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Joe Dante

Director

Dee Wallace

Karen White

Patrick Macnee

Dr. George Waggner

Dennis Dugan

Chris

Christopher Stone

R. William (Bill) Neill

Belinda Balaski

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Synopsis

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Daniel H. Blatt, Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell, Steven A. Lane
Screenwriter: Gary Brandner, John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Distributor: AVCO Embassy Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Image Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2017
Runtime: 1h 31m