The Phantom of the Opera (1989)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(48,254 ratings)

Gaston Leroux's classic tale of love and suspense gets a face-lift in this horror story loosely adapted from Leroux's novel. Christine (Jill Schoelen) is a young classical vocalist who, in the midst of performing a recently discovered piece by an obscure composer, is struck on the head by a sandbag… More Gaston Leroux's classic tale of love and suspense gets a face-lift in this horror story loosely adapted from Leroux's novel. Christine (Jill Schoelen) is a young classical vocalist who, in the midst of performing a recently discovered piece by an obscure composer, is struck on the head by a sandbag and wakes up in London in 1884. Eric Destler (Robert Englund) is a composer who is desperate to succeed -- so much so that he sells his soul to the devil in exchange for writing songs that people will love. However, the devil adds a twist to the bargain by horribly scarring Eric's face, which can only be disguised by flesh from a living victim. Living below the London Opera House, Eric works night and day on his music; when he hears Christine's voice he falls in love, he and lures her to his lair. Eric decides that Christine is the perfect woman to sing his music; he coaches her to a perfect interpretation of his work, and he kills anyone who stands between her and success. Future Saturday Night Live star Molly Shannon made her film debut in a small role in the film's modern day sequences. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Dwight H. Little
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Dec 7, 2004
Studio: RCA/Columbia

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Englund seems determined to turn the phantom into another sequel-spawning character...
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
A really cool horror gem that may not be faithful but is certainly atmospheric
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
one remake the world is probably better off without

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Gory slasher interpretation of the story. Overall I liked it. It did pander to a wider audience by beginning and ending in present day. This was also just a bit confusing, and seems to have been done in an attempt to lay the groundwork for some sequels. The makeup was very well… More
Gory slasher interpretation of the story. Overall I liked it. It did pander to a wider audience by beginning and ending in present day. This was also just a bit confusing, and seems to have been done in an attempt to lay the groundwork for some sequels. The makeup was very well realized, and I enjoyed how it allowed the Phantom to go out and about. The kills were gruesome and cruel, and Englund mostly managed to keep his performance away from Krueger territory. A bit of classical literature, mixed with 80's slasher, and some class act British performances, such as a young Nighy, make this a worthwhile watch.
Morgan S

Truthfully this is one of my favorite addaptions of the Book. Note I said "Book" It is perfect, classic, cheesey 80s Horror. Robert Englund is fantasic, although some may say this is basically a Nightmare on Elmstreet with a different title, I thought Englund played the… More
Truthfully this is one of my favorite addaptions of the Book. Note I said "Book" It is perfect, classic, cheesey 80s Horror. Robert Englund is fantasic, although some may say this is basically a Nightmare on Elmstreet with a different title, I thought Englund played the character fantasically. He plays it more like Erik should be in the Book. A bit crazy, very angery and a Super genius. I loved that Bill Nighy was in this as well. A very pleasent surprise. And as for the girl who played Christine...yes she was not the best actress but I wasnt watching the movie for HER. If that was her singing though, she has a very nice voice. All in all if your looking for a gory, sometimes cheesey horror movie, You like Robert Englund, and you would like to see a different more acturate story of the Phantom then I deffinetly think you should check this one out. P.s. It has great music!
Wahida K

Awesome piece! Creepy version of The Phantom of the Opera.
Lafe F

1989's Robert Englund's "Phantom of the Opera", offers a fresh 80's slasher variation. It's not cheaply done; the movie is stylish and well-directed. Instead of Paris, this movie was set in London. The set design was great: from the underused opera house,… More
1989's Robert Englund's "Phantom of the Opera", offers a fresh 80's slasher variation. It's not cheaply done; the movie is stylish and well-directed. Instead of Paris, this movie was set in London. The set design was great: from the underused opera house, the masquerade hall, the grimey streets and pubs of London to the phantom's candlelit sewer layer. It looks extravagant and high-budget; the visual splendour makes it a treat to watch. Robert Englund shows us he can be much more than Freddy Krueger. His phantom wears a hat and flowing cape, and applies facial patches and makeup to get about in public. He plays a disturbed and mysterious musical composer with a killer tendency. There is enough violence shown to please gore-hounds: guttings, impalements, skinnings and beheadings are on display. They've also included a somewhat supernatural origin to the phantom. I found it hard to believe lovely Christine (Jill Schoelen) could fall for such a creepy and disturbing character. Her beautiful prescence helps balance out the ugliness and horror of the setting. The movie could've done with more of her lovely singing. Like the phantom, Christine exists in the past and the present. It was interesting how the story took us to modern-day New York for some additional story elements. Better than Dario Argento's Phantom, but I still love Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version the most.
vieras e

I love the idea of the Phantom using floppy discs. :D
Marion R

This was horrible. It is not even a good horror movie, Robert Englund is just Freddy Krueger in a phantom mask.