Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988)

  • 47% of critics liked it
    (15 reviews)

  • 63% of users liked it
    (10,047 ratings)

This lightweight and slightly ribald comedy marks the feature film debut of Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), a buxom seductress best known for hosting a popular syndicated television show that features wonderfully bad old horror movies. After losing her latest job for refusing to sleep with her new… More

Play Trailer

PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
Sam Egan, John Paragon
Genres
Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
In Theaters
Sep 30, 1988 Wide
New World Video

Critic Reviews

  • , Time Out

    A predictable plot and cheapskate effects deaden Elvira's occasional witty lines, while references to the horror genre make the film busy without going anywhere.

  • Caryn James, New York Times

    There are only a couple of fresh and funny moments.

  • Richard Harrington, Washington Post

    Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is stupid fun, a distaff, gothic version of Pee-wee's Playhouse.

  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Despite its mildly raunchy tone and obsession with Peterson's considerable cleavage, the film is a decent, good-hearted comedy that never takes itself seriously.

  • , Film4

    It's not just dumb fun. The script contains a few genuinely smart one-liners (even if the relentless flood of innuendo will weary even the hardiest Carry On fans) and there's far more to Elvira than a perilously plunging neckline.

Read all 11 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Phil H


    First came 'Morticia Addams' in the 30's from cartoonist Charles Addams, then along came Maila Nurmi and her classic B-movie/TV horror host creation 'Vampira', then finally in the 80's America introduced us to 'Elvira'. It turns out… More

  • Spencer S


    This is was one of the weirder attempts at a goofy comedy with some semblance of reason. It was a film that didn't need to exist, but why not give a film to a woman who is a fixture in popular culture? Other magnets of that time period were given films, including Pee-Wee Herman… More

  • Zach B


    During the 1980â(TM)s there was a little thing that use to come on T.V. called Elviraâ(TM)s Movie Macabre. Basically, it would show terrible, low budget public domain B-Movies that would be hosted by a horror host. The horror host in question is the unexplainable Elvira: Mistress of… More

  • Wahida K


    A stupid but entertaining comedy with a clear "decolteè" view

  • Kylie B


    So much fun, it's trashy but you can't help loving it. It probably helps that Elvira is stunning.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

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