The Howling

The Howling (1981)

  • 62% of critics liked it
    (26 reviews)

  • 60% of users liked it
    (30,003 ratings)

This groundbreaking, darkly comic horror film from director Joe Dante changed the look and feel of werewolf movies in ways light-years distant from Universal's horror classic The Wolf Man. The story begins with television reporter/anchor Karen White (Dee Wallace) taking part in a dangerous police… More

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R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By
Joe Dante
Written By
John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Genres
Horror
In Theaters
Mar 13, 1981 Wide
On DVD
Aug 28, 2001
MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

    A top-notch werewolf flick.

  • Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

    A perverse, satirical contribution to the oft-maligned werewolf genre.

  • Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

    A classic werewolf effort

  • David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

    ...with its slow pace and lack of compelling characters, it's hard not to wonder just what it is about the movie that fans have latched onto...

  • Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

    A first-rate horror offering.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jeff "


    Aside from An American Werewolf in London, The Howling is one of the best werewolf films ever. Joe Dante crafts a solid werewolf film with great acting, terrifying moments and good acting. The film does have room for improvement, but overall, The Howling is a solidly crafted film.… More

  • Melvin W


    Karen: A secret society exists, and is living among all of us. They are neither people nor animals, but something in-between. "Imagine your worst fear a reality" The Howling is a decent werewolf film. It doesn't match some of the best of the genre, but it also… More

  • AJ V


    My favourite modern werewolf film, I loved it! The story is suspenseful and mysterious, and the special effects are really good. If you like werewolf movies, I highly recommend it.

  • Alexis N


    This was kinda boring. I did like the classic werewolves and the ending and not just because it was the end of the movie.

  • Conner R


    It's ridiculously 80s, but that's one of the best elements. It has a lot to do with pop culture dealing with urban legends, which was pretty original. I loved the glossy look of the movie and the effects (just bizarre). You gotta love Dee Wallace and the crazy bunch of… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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