The Shining

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The Shining

R

Released May 23, 1980

2h 22m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

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110 Reviews

93%

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250,000+ Ratings

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family.

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Critics Consensus

Though it deviates from Stephen King's novel, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a chilling, often baroque journey into madness -- exemplified by an unforgettable turn from Jack Nicholson.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

The supernatural joins forces with psychosis in Stanley Kubrick’s superb adaptation of a Stephen King bestseller.

Oct 20, 2023

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

Kubrick sabotages his own thesis in the most knuckleheaded way conceivable: we can't be charged as accomplices in horror when there is no horror.

Aug 16, 2022

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

There are a few terrific thrills, and some eerie moments of dislocation that only Kubrick could achieve, but most of the movie is unfelt, unscary, and bizarrely heavy-handed. It's the first pompous haunted-house movie.

Jun 17, 2022

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

It is a really important and influential film in the genre and in filmmaking as a whole. However, be prepared to be disappointed that it doesn’t live up to the hype, and like me, you find it slow and emotionally cold.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 12, 2025

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Lane Mills

InSession Film

A trip to the Overlook is the perfect antidote to any film buff who may feel bummed out after another mediocre trip to the movies; if all else fails, this is one you can boot up in any mood, at any time, for any reason, and it’ll do the trick

Rated: A

Jun 9, 2025

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Grant Hermanns

Screen Rant

With 45 years gone since it first released, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining definitely remains a horror classic, in spite of its adaptation problems.

Rated: 8/10

May 23, 2025

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geminielsy U

Still one of my favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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Dominick

The greatest horror film of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

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Fandango Customer C

A masterpiece that stands the test of time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

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John C

One of Jack Nicholsons best performances. Awesome to see on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/24

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DJE

An amazing movie that doesn’t jump scare but gives you chills. Music and acting are intense

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/24

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The Robinson’s

So good on the big screen!!! Thank you 😊

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

Full Review

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Stanley Kubrick

Director

Jack Nicholson

Jack Torrance

Shelley Duvall

Winifred "Wendy" Torrance

Danny Lloyd

Danny Torrance

Scatman Crothers

Dick Hallorann

Barry Nelson

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The Shining (1980) Presented by TCM: Fathom Events Trailer

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Synopsis

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family.

Director: Stanley Kubrick
Producer: Robert Fryer, Stanley Kubrick
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Producers Circle, Peregrine, Warner Brothers, Hawk Films
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 2h 22m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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