The Hole

PG-13

2009

1 hr. 32 min.

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

List

81%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Two brothers find a hole in the basement that leads to their darkest fears and nightmares.

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Critics Consensus

A welcome throwback to the suburban teen thrillers of the 1980s, The Hole is a scary, enjoyable return to form for director Joe Dante.

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Emilliano Jr S

A deep down fun, thrill ride.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

Full Review

Neil G

I remember it being better but think it does not age well as you can tell it was Made for the big push on 3D movies in the late 2000s. My Daughter was 9 at the time and it was what got her into scary movies

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Wolfgang G

The Hole – Wovor hast Du Angst? Ist ein Horrorfilm von Joe Dante (Regie), das Drehbuch schrieb Mark L. Smith. Obwohl der Film fast ohne Blut auskommt, spielt er mit den Ängsten der Jugendlichen. Der Film könnte ein solider Gruselfilm für die Familie sein.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/18/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Nobody thinking of just ramp the door, it's not a safe door with inches of thickness?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Liam D

A underrated and fun gem This Thriller is a good first horror movie for kids because it isn't gruesome and doesn't have gore so check it out

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/20/20

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gianmarco R

a horror for children not too scary that draws from an infinite hole that is stupidly opened by the protagonists and from which their worst fears emerge. The plot is strangely rendered very well and original, being for kids the film is based on dealing with their own fears

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/01/19

Full Review

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Joe Dante

Director

Chris Massoglia

Dane Thompson

Haley Bennett

Julie Campbell

Teri Polo

Susan

Bruce Dern

Creepy Carl

Nathan Gamble

Lucas Thompson

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Dave Kehr

Film Comment Magazine

The Hole doesn't have the frantic wit of Dante's Gremlins 2 or the political import of his Small Soldiers, but it has something just as satisfying: a thorough understanding of the psychological underpinnings of the genre.

Jun 17, 2013

Full Review

Mark Olsen

Los Angeles Times

No one understands that giddy rush of sugar buzz cinema better than director Joe Dante.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 27, 2012

Full Review

Nathan Rabin

AV Club

All the elements are here, they just don't add up to a satisfying whole.

Rated: C-

Sep 27, 2012

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Dante's direction manages to take a formulaic experience into exciting new areas, even if the larger themes at play don't get a major payoff.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Dante's touch (aside from including a mandatory cameo by Dick Miller) walks a fine line between going too far and exploring dull general audience fare, a line he’s been walking with considerable success his entire career.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 23, 2022

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

TheHorrorShow

Not likely to give anyone outside of toddler range any nightmares, but it's still a smooth, smart, and eminently likable "rainy night" family film.

Aug 26, 2015

Full Review

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Synopsis

Two brothers find a hole in the basement that leads to their darkest fears and nightmares.

Director: Joe Dante
Executive Producer: Chris Bender, J.C. Spink, Gary Michael Walters
Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith
Production Co: Bold Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Frightening Images|Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 8, 2016