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The Howling

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75% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.
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The Howling

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Critics Consensus

The Howling packs enough laughs into its lycanthropic carnage to distinguish it from other werewolf entries, with impressive visual effects adding some bite.

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness A perverse, satirical contribution to the oft-maligned werewolf genre. Rated: B Nov 6, 2005 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Ridiculous -- yes. Comical at times -- yes. Rated: 2/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Paul Lê Bloody Disgusting Joe Dante’s ‘81 rendering is so distinct from its basis that it’s practically a different beast. Rated: 3/5 Apr 10, 2025 Full Review Kristy Strouse Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying Well performed, with convincing effects for its time, The Howling isn’t the best werewolf feature, but it’s required viewing for any fan. Oct 26, 2022 Full Review Tony Crawley Starburst Rob Bottin's Howling man-to-werewolf sequence is like nothing you've ever seen before. It's amazing! Jul 27, 2022 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ...still shocks and amuses in equal parts... Rated: 4/5 Oct 27, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve Absolute CLASSIC werewolf flick!!! Worth the watch for old school nostalgia 80s horror. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/28/25 Full Review Michael C I have always said that there are only three truly great werewolf movies. The first is the original version of "The Wolf Man" starring the late Lon Chaney, Jr. The second is "An American Werewolf in London". The third is "The Howling". Seeing the movie again recently just affirmed my belief. More than four decades after its release "The Howling" still stands the test of time. A very well made movie with very impressive special effects. The werewolf transformation sequences are very well done. The werewolves are terrific and even frightening. The movie also has the benefit of a great cast. Dee Wallace is terrific in one of her last roles before "ET: The Extra Terrestrial". Unlike Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck who have ZERO chemistry on screen, Dee Wallace has very good chemistry with the late Christopher Stone (Who was Wallace's real-life husband. They also co-starred in the film adaptation of "Cujo".) as Wallace husband. The late Elisabeth Brooks is truly scary as Marsha. It was also a treat to see a pre "Star Trek: Voyager" Robert Picardo as nucking futcase Eddie Quist. At ninety minutes, "The Howling" is just the right length which just adds to the movie's appeal. "The Howling" is definitely worth seeing. If you have not seen the movie already, I highly recommend you do so. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/14/25 Full Review J H I mean, she just stands there... Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review chris h About average campy wolf movie...good and familar cast for the time...good old slim pickens.Must see if you like 80s horror. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Mostly effective comedy horror, with lots of cameos and in jokes, Truly disturbing opening scenes, Ground breaking makeup fx still hold up, But fustrating and dumb lead character decisions and reactions, ruin some of the fun. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Landon J A great werewolf movie I think superior to contemporary rivals. Some great effects and light on exposition, heavy on supernatural transformations and creepy atmosphere. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Howling

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Cast & Crew

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Joe Dante

Director

Dee Wallace

Karen White

Patrick Macnee

Dr. George Waggner

Dennis Dugan

Chris

Christopher Stone

R. William (Bill) Neill

Belinda Balaski

Terry Fisher

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The Howling

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.
Director
Joe Dante
Producer
Daniel H. Blatt, Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell, Steven A. Lane
Screenwriter
Gary Brandner, John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Distributor
AVCO Embassy Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Image Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co
AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 3, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 3, 2017
Runtime
1h 31m