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The Watcher in the Woods

Play trailer Poster for The Watcher in the Woods PG 1980 1h 24m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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52% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A teenager (Lynn-Holly Johnson) and her younger sister learn their eerie landlady's (Bette Davis) secret at an English country manor.
The Watcher in the Woods

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Critics Consensus

The Watcher in the Woods boasts plenty of spooky atmosphere and a typically strong performance from Bette Davis, but it builds to a conclusion so dissatisfying that it undermines all that came before.

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Critics Reviews

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Gary Arnold Washington Post It symbolizes the confusion that has been undermining Disney's live-action productions. Craving more stimulating material on one hand but still wedded to reassuring coziness on the other, the studio shortchanges both tendencies. Mar 26, 2019 Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press Watcher in the Woods is a first-class thriller, far superior to the usual run of frightened-girl, creepy house movies. Dec 4, 2018 Full Review Joseph Stannard Sight & Sound The Watcher in the Woods is a haunting, unusual film, steeped in a strange magic that's only enhanced by the dense thicket of rumour and myth that surrounds it. Jul 30, 2018 Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies A little disjointed but still a strong entry into the young adult horror genre that Disney was playing with in the early 1980s. Rated: 3/4 Feb 21, 2024 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 'has plentiful jump scares' Rated: 3/5 Apr 8, 2022 Full Review Phil Edwards Starburst The Watcher in the Woods is actually not bad at all and brings back happy childhood memories of such other Disney items. Apr 14, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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J B This is an underrated classic spooky film. I saw this when I was eight or 10 and it was perfect. It didn’t have that in your face gore or horror, but the suspense and creepiness is fantastic. I definitely watch it with 1980 movie making in mind, not by today’s standards. The acting and pacing of the movie is perfect, although the end seems to wrap up quickly. But after watching the alternate endings on the DVD, I can see what care they took to create the best ending they could for it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/24 Full Review RANDY F Someone put the original beginning of this film on YouTube, and merged together all three of the various endings that were filmed into a much more cohesive whole. This version is missing a small bit of characters meeting each other and the acquisition of a puppy whose name figures into part of the "mystery". But if you've seen the film in the version that was released in theaters,(and on DVD) definitely check out the YouTube version, which is "fixes" the odd ending of the theatrical version . I've grown to really love this film. I never found it scary as such, but it's got a wonderful mood and atmosphere that even Lynn Holly Johnson's overly strident OneNote performance cannot ruin. It's a terrific film to show little kids on Halloween to let them be scared with nothing offensive or truly disturbing occurring in the film. I totally enjoy it Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/21/24 Full Review Joslyn I Cult classic I’ve watch for over 30 years! Now passing on to my children who absolutely loved it! I had to buy it after they wouldn’t let me return it to the library. Jumps scares and suspense. Clever story not just ghosts and haunted houses. Haven’t seen the remake yet but I love Anjelica Houston so will give it a go. But. Nothing could take me away from this film. I love it when Disney gives us something unexpected and outside the norm of princesses and fairytales. Freaky Friday, Escape from Witch mountain, Candleshoe, Bedknobs and Broomsticks all encompassing the nostalgia of my childhood and love for mystery and adventure. They just don’t make them like this anymore. Even movies like the Wizard of Oz didn’t need all that CGI and still hold up today. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/13/24 Full Review Alec B It's far too compromised by studio meddling to work. Release the original cut you cowards! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Chase C Not too scary but I enjoyed the concept and the explanation of the weirdness was unexpected. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/10/23 Full Review Michael S Scariest movie Disney ever made! Watched it growing up (over and over) and it always gave us the creeps (in the good way). My sister showed it to her friends for dinner night about 2014 and those who hadn't seen it were so scared thst one of them bit another out of fear! Just a few months ago (2022) I watched it with my 13 year old daughter and she got to feel the fear of horror done right. I was tired thst night and every time I closed my eyes I heard "don't make me watch this alone please, please." She loved it! (Maybe a different story if i had fallen asleep and she had to watch it alone?) A true horror classic that stands the test of time. Pro tip. Watch it in the woods on a camping trip! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Watcher in the Woods

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A teenager (Lynn-Holly Johnson) and her younger sister learn their eerie landlady's (Bette Davis) secret at an English country manor.
Director
John Hough
Producer
Ron Miller
Screenwriter
Brian Clemens, Harry Spalding, Rosemary Anne Sisson
Rating
PG
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 3, 2004
Runtime
1h 24m
Sound Mix
Surround