The Watcher in the Woods (1981)

46% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(5,365 ratings)

This Disney Studios attempt at entering the horror genre is a British production based on the chilling novel by Florence Engel Randall. An American family, headed by composer Paul Curtis (David McCallum) and his wife Helen (Carroll Baker), is renting an old mansion in England. The mansion's owner is… More This Disney Studios attempt at entering the horror genre is a British production based on the chilling novel by Florence Engel Randall. An American family, headed by composer Paul Curtis (David McCallum) and his wife Helen (Carroll Baker), is renting an old mansion in England. The mansion's owner is Mrs. Aylwood (Bette Davis), who lives in a small guest house on the property. The mansion is surrounded by dense, forbidding woods. The Curtis children, Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) and Ellie (Kyle Richards), explore the forest. Mrs. Aylwood is continually searching the woods for her daughter -- whom she lost there 30 years ago. Over time, the children come to be haunted by the spirit of the daughter, Karen (Katherine Levy). The film was originally released in 1980 with an ending that included a huge alien from another planet. The studio pulled back the film after test audiences laughed at the special effects, and re-released the movie in 1982 with a new ending that circumvented the alien. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: John Hough, Vincent McEveety
Written By: Brian Clemens, Florence Engel Randall, Rosemary Anne Sisson, Harry Spalding
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

On DVD: Apr 2, 2002

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The acting and writing are barely professional but the art direction, especially Alan Hume's stunning camerawork, gives the pic a gloss.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This tepid ghost story fails to focus on either its story or its target audience.
, Time Out
When it became obvious that the film's mix of cutesy sentiment and vague scariness wasn't working, the company ordered whole sequences to be rewritten, re-shot or re-edited, then imposed a stupid ending that explains precisely nothing.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
About as scary as a bagel that's been left out on the counter overnight. Okay, maybe it's a raisin bagel. I'll give you that much.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Creepy later-Bette Davis tale.
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
Horror-Lite.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Decent but unsophisticated ghost story, best suited for young adults.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Fans of old-fashioned, atmospheric ghost tales will forgive the film's obvious faults, but even they will have a hard time generating much enthusiasm for the movie.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Anchor Bay deserves credit for delivering the original ending as a bonus feature to this B-movie charmer.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
A movie about how a camera presents a point of view and of how that point of view, if it's not attached to a specific identity, can become menacingly voyeuristic.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

The Watcher in the Woods is a surprising film for a Disney film. The film quite chilling, and scary at times. For a ghost story, the film works well enough to entertain. The Watcher in the Woods has gotten so many bad reviews, which is a shame because there is a good horror film here.… More
The Watcher in the Woods is a surprising film for a Disney film. The film quite chilling, and scary at times. For a ghost story, the film works well enough to entertain. The Watcher in the Woods has gotten so many bad reviews, which is a shame because there is a good horror film here. The film is not the best, but as a ghost tale, it's effective enough to chill you and creep you out. I enjoyed the film despite the fact that some of the actors were annoying (Lynn-Holly Johnson). This film is underrated and if you're looking for an effective, chilling horror tale to watch during the Halloween season, The Watcher in the Woods is a good choice for a night of chills. For a Disney film, The Watcher in the Woods is a surprising dark film and you'd never guess that Disney produced it. The terror is effective, and director John Hugh knows how to steadily build up the plot to an electrifying climax. I thought that Johnson was a decent choice to play the lead, even if she's not perfect. I felt that her character was good, but a tad bland. The Watcher in the Woods is a good horror film that is underrated, and if you're looking for a chilling ghost story, then this is the film for you. This is an underrated film that has some effective chilling moments on-screen, and the film definitely is a must see despite its flaws. In the end, The Watcher in the Woods is a fun horror film to watch.
jay n

Mediocre scare flick, rather dark for a Disney film but not really very frightening. Lynn-Holly Johnson is an appallingly bad actress ruining every scene she's in. Old pros McCallum and Carroll Baker are wasted. Poor Bette Davis is spared nothing, made to look perhaps the worst… More
Mediocre scare flick, rather dark for a Disney film but not really very frightening. Lynn-Holly Johnson is an appallingly bad actress ruining every scene she's in. Old pros McCallum and Carroll Baker are wasted. Poor Bette Davis is spared nothing, made to look perhaps the worst she ever did on screen except in Baby Jane where at least she was supposed to look bad. She's still the most compelling presence in the film in her brief scenes.
Stephen M

It's hard to fathom what Disney were trying to do with this messy horror picture; "The Watcher in the Woods" is more likely to upset rather than enchant young children, and older, more discerning viewers will probably find it as toothless as it is incoherent. It was… More
It's hard to fathom what Disney were trying to do with this messy horror picture; "The Watcher in the Woods" is more likely to upset rather than enchant young children, and older, more discerning viewers will probably find it as toothless as it is incoherent. It was infamously chopped about and re-shot by the studio and, consequently, makes very little sense. Although there's a good deal of subjective, "Watcher's-eye-view" camerawork, disappointingly we don't ever get to see the creature itself. However, the atmosphere is reasonably potent and there are a couple of spookily effective moments. Bette Davis makes a late-career appearance, but she's only on hand to look vaguely sinister and contributes little more than a cameo. Interestingly, the film cribs a couple of elements from "The Shining", namely ESP and backwards writing. Undoubtedly, the worst thing about the movie is the awful lead performance of Lynn-Holly Johnson, who some people may remember being equally bad as the figure-skater in "For Your Eyes Only".
Candy R

Two young sisters move to a house in woods. Soon there are mysterious sightings of a girl who went missing decades ago.
Bruce B

This is a Disney Film, With Betty Davis, Think thats why it was on my rent list. An Ok Film, will not add to my collection unless its found in a pawn shop. Betty Davis has alwaysn scare me since seeing Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte. Now that was a scarey B&W Movie. Rent it and enjoy,… More
This is a Disney Film, With Betty Davis, Think thats why it was on my rent list. An Ok Film, will not add to my collection unless its found in a pawn shop. Betty Davis has alwaysn scare me since seeing Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte. Now that was a scarey B&W Movie. Rent it and enjoy, just don't expect to much
Lafe F

Disney was brave to make this horror film for youth. Overall, it's got a great story, and a bunch of creepy and frightening scenes. Bette Davis delivers an astounding performance. Lynn Holly-Johnson and Kyle Richards are funny to watch. It's a great ride overall. Check out… More
Disney was brave to make this horror film for youth. Overall, it's got a great story, and a bunch of creepy and frightening scenes. Bette Davis delivers an astounding performance. Lynn Holly-Johnson and Kyle Richards are funny to watch. It's a great ride overall. Check out the alternate endings on the DVD.
Drew S

Now here's an interesting paradox - a serious horror movie for the kiddy crowd. It works on a few levels, but awful acting and a weird ending kind of relegate it to its current place in Obscure Disney Movie History. Regardless, this is actually a really good pick for a sharp… More
Now here's an interesting paradox - a serious horror movie for the kiddy crowd. It works on a few levels, but awful acting and a weird ending kind of relegate it to its current place in Obscure Disney Movie History. Regardless, this is actually a really good pick for a sharp younger child who's getting bored of all the big-eyed orphan animal adventures, and not a slouch for older audiences either. I just watched this again for the first time in five years last night, and I have to say...it's a really bizarre film. Certainly a better concept than its execution allowed (Disney certainly shot this one in the foot), but an enjoyable flick on all levels. I submit this one to my Guilty Pleasures list. :D
Sarah P

I liked it for it's cheesy 70's era style of film (even though it was released in 1981). However the story was messy and didn't really make any sense, even when it was all revealed at the end. I wouldn't watch this again.
Andrew P

A perfect example of a film that doesnt hold up through the ages. It just feels dated and dare I say a little pethetic. The storyline is okay and a little bit dark for disney, the acting is typical children 80's style. Its the type of film youll watch on early morning TV.