Salem's Lot

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3:17

Salem's Lot

PG

1979

1h 52m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Based on the Stephen King novel, Ben Mears (David Soul) has returned to his hometown of Salem's Lot to write a book about the supposedly haunted Marsten House that resides on a hill overlooking the small town. His project is curtailed, however, when he finds out that someone has bought the long-empty property. But when people around the Marsten House start dying mysteriously, Mears discovers that the owner of the mansion is actually a vampire who is turning them into an army of undead slaves.

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Critics Consensus

Director Tobe Hooper and a devilishly charismatic James Mason elevate this television adaptation of the Stephen King novel, injecting the vampiric tradition with fresh blood and lingering scares.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

It places the emphasis on Hooper's fluid camerawork, creepy atmospherics, and skilful handling of the gripping climax.

Jun 24, 2006

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

..works as a compulsive three-hour series, watered down from the book, perhaps, but still strong meat...

Rated: 3/5

Jan 6, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

It's a little bit long, but it's worth checking out... It holds up much better than I remembered.

Rated: 3/4

May 27, 2022

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Max O'Connell

Paste Magazine

Hooper comes close to creating a modern-day Hammer horror film, punctuating a steady, stately dread with moments of shocking power.

Feb 7, 2019

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Jacob Knight

Birth.Movies.Death.

Undoubtedly one of the best Stephen King adaptations, and still manages to be scary years after it premiered in homes across the nation.

Feb 7, 2019

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Rebecca Lea

Den of Geek

Hooper's low key approach suits the material and he's aided at all times by some terrific production design work.

Feb 7, 2019

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Cleve H

The OG for horror movies for me. I can remember watching this as a child and having nightmares about Brad Savage (Danny Glick) flying by my window. This movie established my crush on boys with Lance Kerwin and for me no one has been able to even come close to the scary feel this movie still oozes today. Every actor is fantastic and while I realize the movie strays from the book (or so I'm told, I've never read it). It still gives me goose bumps today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

First thing to know is I love Stephen King, he is the ultimate master of horror. I met him when they were filming (The Stand) and he brought his wife into the dump restaurant I was working at (part time buying a house). He's brilliant, back to my review, while I think the only movie that ever did any of his books justice was "The Shining" this movie still gives me the creeps. It's not scary enough, at least not for me (I have read the book) I still think you get a pretty good idea of what the book was about and let's be real, this was for TV. The best characters were played by James Mason and Lance Kerwin. I think this movie depicted the best it could how Mr. King wanted it to be for regular TV. Had it been my way? It would give you nightmares for days like the book!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

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babarizam D

I have no idea why thing movie is a big thing. Acting and story line both are terrible. First 75 minutes are town exploration.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

Full Review

Bryan C

This is my gold standard reference for how a Vampire and horror movie should be. Absolutely worth watching and one of my all time horror favorites it is truly terrifying and a great movie with great actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Mark M

Am I coming back to Salem's office like except for David soul and the guy that owned a shop everybody else was horrible actor it was funny it was badly wrote it was more like a comedy than a horror

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

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Yash B

Having never read "Salem's Lot," I decided to check out the 70s miniseries to start out. I do see how this Stephen King classic can work better as a moody novel. This version feels a bit too slow-paced for my taste and the horror moments, while effective, do not warrant sitting through all 3+ hours of this. I think there are moments of practical effects that are still creepy today, but I just didn't get into the story enough to fully immerse myself in it. Overall, it is a mixed bag with some cool moments, but not my personal favorite out of the Stephen King factory.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

Full Review

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Tobe Hooper

Director

David Soul

Ben Mears

James Mason

Richard K. Straker

Lance Kerwin

Mark Petrie

Bonnie Bedelia

Susan Norton

Lew Ayres

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Salem's Lot: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Based on the Stephen King novel, Ben Mears (David Soul) has returned to his hometown of Salem's Lot to write a book about the supposedly haunted Marsten House that resides on a hill overlooking the small town. His project is curtailed, however, when he finds out that someone has bought the long-empty property. But when people around the Marsten House start dying mysteriously, Mears discovers that the owner of the mansion is actually a vampire who is turning them into an army of undead slaves.

Director: Tobe Hooper
Producer: Richard Kobritz
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2016
Runtime: 1h 52m

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