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The Howling

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The Howling

R

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1h 31m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

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.

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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

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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

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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

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Nick O

Almost 45 years later and The Howling and An American Werewolf In London are still neck and neck for best werewolf flick. Great story and brutal self awareness make it a crucial horror staple.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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Michael C

I have always said that there are only three truly great werewolf movies. The first is the original version of "The Wolf Man" starring the late Lon Chaney, Jr. The second is "An American Werewolf in London". The third is "The Howling". Seeing the movie again recently just affirmed my belief. More than four decades after its release "The Howling" still stands the test of time. A very well made movie with very impressive special effects. The werewolf transformation sequences are very well done. The werewolves are terrific and even frightening. The movie also has the benefit of a great cast. Dee Wallace is terrific in one of her last roles before "ET: The Extra Terrestrial". Unlike Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck who have ZERO chemistry on screen, Dee Wallace has very good chemistry with the late Christopher Stone (Who was Wallace's real-life husband. They also co-starred in the film adaptation of "Cujo".) as Wallace husband. The late Elisabeth Brooks is truly scary as Marsha. It was also a treat to see a pre "Star Trek: Voyager" Robert Picardo as nucking futcase Eddie Quist. At ninety minutes, "The Howling" is just the right length which just adds to the movie's appeal. "The Howling" is definitely worth seeing. If you have not seen the movie already, I highly recommend you do so.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/14/25

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J H

I mean, she just stands there...

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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chris h

About average campy wolf movie...good and familar cast for the time...good old slim pickens.Must see if you like 80s horror.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

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CodyZamboni Z

Mostly effective comedy horror, with lots of cameos and in jokes, Truly disturbing opening scenes, Ground breaking makeup fx still hold up, But fustrating and dumb lead character decisions and reactions, ruin some of the fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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