The Howling

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The Howling

R

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1h 31m

Horror

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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.

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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

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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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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

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Landon J

A great werewolf movie I think superior to contemporary rivals. Some great effects and light on exposition, heavy on supernatural transformations and creepy atmosphere.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

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Byron H

2/4 It's a noteworthy horror movie, memorable for revolutionizing the werewolf transformation. Oddly enough I think it's sequels are better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

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