Lord of the Flies

R

Released Mar 16, 1990

1 hr. 30 min.

Adventure

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

57%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this updated take on William Golding's classic novel, a group of American military schoolboys become marooned on a remote island after a plane crash. While initially cooperative, after the discovery of a "beast," the boys split into two warring camps, one headed by the liberal-minded Ralph (Balthazar Getty), the other by the militaristic Jack (Chris Furrh). Their society begins to descend into violence, and boys soon learn there's a thin line between society and savagery.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Apple TV

Buy Lord of the Flies on Prime Video, Apple TV.

Jerod S

The book was meant to dive deep into the psyche of humans and show what happens when all control is lost. The movie is more just a bunch of boys running around til they're rescued. The dark undertones are missing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

emo T

jack merridew is pretty lowkey

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Holly

It's so hard to adapt when the book is so good

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Rami A

I wasn't a fan of book, nor was I fan of this film. Just goes to show how poorly adapted this story was.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Based on the best-selling book by William Golding The movie features a big collection of child actors whom are giving it their all with the material None of them are huge caliber names but they make the best of a dreaded situation A group of military youths end up getting shipwrecked in the ocean and stumble upon a deserted island with only 1 adult Their rankings are different from one another yet their survival will depend on them working together if they ever get rescued The child actors are really invested, the scenery is breathtaking, and the power struggle really shows when they each become desperate or corrupted by greed and control Some of the music is downright terrifying, too. I never read the book but it is scary how much division can occur being stranded, acting savage, and fighting for power. Tragedy can strike at any time when discipline, lack of control, and losing trust takes over. It’s a mixture of kid and adult themes that’s pretty intense. Not for everyone but the performances by the kids are a dime a dozen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

Full Review

colin m

Boys marooned on an island running around in their underwear.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Harry Hook

Director

Balthazar Getty

Ralph

Chris Furrh

Jack Merridew

Danuel Pipoly

Piggy

James Badge Dale

Simon

Bob Peck

Marine Officer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

62%

70%

The Edge

TRAILER

for The Edge

88%

89%

Sin nombre

63%

82%

The Salton Sea

58%

37%

City Hall

73%

75%

Backdraft

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Love Squid Game? Here Are 10 TV Shows and Movies Just Like It

View more photos

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 5/5

Feb 9, 2002

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The symbolism is right up front and unmissable, and the story part -- the events that in theory should cause our throats to tighten and our pulses to quicken -- is pretty lame.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The clumsiest film in recent memory... an irritating parody[Full review in Spanish]

Nov 30, 2022

Full Review

Bruce C. Steele

OutWeek

Dialogue and actions that resonate in the novel and in the Peter Brook film version here fall lifeless onto the sandy beach.

May 20, 2020

Full Review

J.C. Maçek III

PopMatters

1963's Lord of the Flies was a transcendent experience in accurate filmmaking, 1990's Lord of the Flies is only a movie.

Rated: 6/10

May 21, 2015

Full Review

Boyd van Hoeij

european-films.net

Rated: 4/5

Apr 2, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

In this updated take on William Golding's classic novel, a group of American military schoolboys become marooned on a remote island after a plane crash. While initially cooperative, after the discovery of a "beast," the boys split into two warring camps, one headed by the liberal-minded Ralph (Balthazar Getty), the other by the militaristic Jack (Chris Furrh). Their society begins to descend into violence, and boys soon learn there's a thin line between society and savagery.

Director: Harry Hook
Executive Producer: Peter Allen, Lewis Newman, Peter Newman
Screenwriter: Jay Presson Allen
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.3M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now