The Babadook

Play trailer

1:17

The Babadook

Released Nov 28, 2014

1h 33m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

247 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her 'out of control' 6 year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel's dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called 'The Babadook' turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he’s been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control, he becomes more unpredictable and violent. Amelia, genuinely frightened by her son's behavior, is forced to medicate him. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

The Babadook relies on real horror rather than cheap jump scares -- and boasts a heartfelt, genuinely moving story to boot.

Read Critics Reviews

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Nestled deep within this teeny Australian thriller packs a simple yet profound message about what it often feels like to be a single parent, and even what it feels like to be the child of that parent.

Rated: B+

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

The Babadook's villains and victims are still running amok in my brain. I think they might be there for some time.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 5, 2016

Full Review

Noel Murray

Nashville Scene

What's most terrifying about The Babadook is that Kent grounds a bizarre supernatural premise in very real feelings of anxiety and depression.

Oct 5, 2016

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Kent’s film tapped into a lot of visceral fears I had at the time as a woman living alone

Oct 11, 2024

Full Review

Calum Cooper

In Their Own League

Frightening and bleak yet also spellbinding and profound, “The Babadook” deserves to be immortalised in the canon of horror cinema alongside the very pictures that inspired it.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 20, 2024

Full Review

Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

“The Babadook” is an extraordinary horror film.

Aug 15, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Richard W

I am extremely confused why people are saying this is a good movie ,they are even rating it as one of the top horror movies ever like number 18 out of the top 200 ever ,,i justvcant understand it ,this is a really bad movie ,if you dont believe me watch it ,i dare you ,i double dare you

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Ryan S.

Decent movie but I don’t see the hype around it. It wasn’t scary and just ended up lame.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Australian English with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $933,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Mollie H

The best horror movie!!!! I can't sleep with my bedroom door closed now, afraid Babadook will come. AAAARGGGHHHH!!!!!! The best freaking movie!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

Zenon L

Thought the film was bland and boring

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

Harry M

Fantastic Aussie movie! It slowly builds up the tension into an unforgettable climax at the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jennifer Kent

Director

Essie Davis

Amelia

Daniel Henshall

Robbie

Noah Wiseman

Samuel

Hayley McElhinney

Claire

Barbara West

Mrs. Roach

Cargo

88%

67%

Cargo

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Cargo

Haunter

49%

42%

Haunter

Watchlist

Jessabelle

29%

30%

Jessabelle

Watchlist

Dig Two Graves

71%

39%

Dig Two Graves

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Dig Two Graves

The Boy

31%

38%

The Boy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Boy

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Emily VanDerWerff, Critic at Large at Vox

The Lost Film that Inspired the Look of Modern Horror Icon Mister Babadook

30 Incredible 2010s Directing Debuts That Left Us Begging For More

The Babadook: Trailer - 10th Anniversary

1:17

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her 'out of control' 6 year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel's dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called 'The Babadook' turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he’s been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control, he becomes more unpredictable and violent. Amelia, genuinely frightened by her son's behavior, is forced to medicate him. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real.

Director: Jennifer Kent
Producer: Kristina Ceyton, Kristian Moliere
Screenwriter: Jennifer Kent
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Causeway Films, Entertainment One, Smoking Gun Productions
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 28, 2014, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $933.1K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now