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David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Brian Glover ... see more see more... , David Schofield , Lila Kaye , Paul Kernber , Don McKillop , Frank Oz , Joe Belcher , Sydney Bromley , Michael Carter , Christine Hargreaves , Paula Jacobs , Rik Mayall , Albert Moses , Paddy Ryan , Frank Singuineau , Gordon Sterne , Mark Fisher , Linzi Drew , Roger Rowland , John Salthouse , Alan Ford , George Hilsdon , Elizabeth Bradley

While wandering the English moors on vacation, college yanks David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) happen upon a quaint pub with a mysterious patronage who warn them not to leave the road wh... read more read more...en walking after dark. Irreverent of such advice as characters in horror films always are, the two decide to find a short cut....David wakes up in the hospital with a nasty bite wound to his shoulder; the freshly deceased, and rapidly decomposing, Jack arrives soon after to deliver the grim news that, unless he commits suicide, David will become a werewolf when the moon is full. David dismisses the encounter as a hallucination, but all indicators point to lycanthrope; evenings of barking and bloodletting follow closely behind. While the story is thin and much of the tongue-in-cheek humor is overdone, there are plenty of genuine jolts thanks to makeup guru Rick Baker's eye-popping special effects. The werewolf, resembling a cross between a bear and a wolverine, appears frighteningly real, and, given the fantastic premise, the gore is most convincing (although surprisingly and refreshingly scant). The hospital dream sequences are creative, and the scenes in which the werewolf runs rampant through downtown London are particularly good. In all, An American Werewolf in London is an original, atmospheric film that manages both to scare and amuse. While dismissed by most American critics upon its release, the film managed to secure a place in the annals of American cinema when Baker won an Academy Award for his amazing effects and creature designs. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

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76% liked it

107,417 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

43 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: John Landis

Release Date: August 21, 1981

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DVD Release Date: December 9, 1997

Stats: 4,728 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,728)

  • aquateen2
    December 24, 2011
    aquateen2
    A werewolf movie turned into a comedy. It's a very original idea that cinema had never been seen before. Werewolf in London couldn't have done it better. It had the feeling of a classic black and white horror movie and the make up is absolutely outstanding. As it's among the best... read more ever crafted. Not so much a scary film by modern standards but with a mix of black humour, light hearted comedy and likable characters it deserves its ultimate cult status.
  • phubbs1
    November 19, 2011
    phubbs1
    This is classic stuff here, its faultless, effects are awesome, note the legendary transformation scene in Agutter's flat completely done without cgi using REAL skills and craftsmanship. The whole thing is macabre, spooky and funny, its also pretty scary here and there, the Nazi ... read moredemon dream sequences make you jump haha whilst the ending is a gore fest, love it, an adult 'Beetlejuice'. Bluuuue Moooon
  • imrealgod
    June 3, 2011
    imrealgod
    Having watched numerous werewolf movies and knowing that this movie had nothing new to offer, I was too hesitant to go for it. But it wasn't quite as boring as I'd expected.
  • fb100002359227440
    May 17, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    An American Werewolf in London, is good exemple of horror and dark comedy.
  • fb100001493964409
    May 15, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    This is a bizarre film to say the least. It constantly criss-crosses the line between terrifying and gut-bursting hilarity.The special effects for the transformations are the reason that this film has lived in the film goer memory for so long (also, the effects for the undead tha... read moret show up in the film look pretty good too). But, let me be perfectly honest here, the actually wolf itself does NOT look that good. It really doesn't. Some people might find this film slow at times, but I personally found the humor to be absolutely top-notch and enough to carry the film at it's slower moments. Kind of recommended, if only for a film lesson on special effects.
  • theunknownhobo
    January 21, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    This movie has stood the test of time and why not? It has everything you would want from a good film. A decent set of characters played by actors with enough charm to like them and enough talent to watch them, generally good special effects make up and techniques, some killer on ... read moreliners and of course a soundtrack that features CCR. It makes you laugh yes, but more importantly this movie makes me smile.
  • ajv2688
    January 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    I saw this one a long time ago when I was a kid and the special effects were so real, I was really scared, but I didn't understand the story very well. I'm not a big werewolf fan, and I didn't care for this movie.
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 19, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    a great blend of humor and horror in this campy addition to the wolf-man sub genre. the film contains some classically written scenes and expressive visuals that give the film its effect. often a bit too silly to be truly terrifying, but a fun movie.
  • shauna1354
    November 2, 2010
    shauna1354
    Landis' film set the benchmark for horror/comedy. It's a magnificently simple premise: unsuspecting man becomes werewolf, yet it is done so masterfully and amusingly against the backdrop of Yorkshire and London. It's the perfect blend of grisly horror and dark humour. Brilliantly... read more acted and surprisingly the effects still stand up today, its timeless fun. I liked the satisying placement of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Bad Moon Rising. It's got that magnetic eighties feel that you know people will still be revelling in this decades down the line. My only fault is its depiction of Yorkshire people, we're not all unfriendly, stony-faced, pub-dwelling grumps!
    See this!
  • liquidchick76
    October 29, 2010
    liquidchick76
    I can't speak highly enough about this movie. John Landis really gets my brand of humor, and I his. It's essentially a modern retelling of Lon Chaney's "The Wolfman," but with a vein of Landis' snarky Animal House-esque goofiness. Keep in mind that the goofiness is subtle... s... read moreo subtle that the casual observer may not even notice, which makes it that much more brilliant. Every time I watch this movie I wonder why it had taken me so long since the last time, and every viewing leaves me fizzing with mirth.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
September 23, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

A clever mixture of comedy and horror which succeeds in being both funny and scary, An American Werewolf in London possesses an overriding eagerness to please that prevents it from becoming off-putting. Full Review

Dave Kehr
September 23, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

It's a failure, less because the odd stylistic mix doesn't take (it does from time to time, and to striking effect) than because Landis hasn't bothered to put his story into any kind of satisfying shape. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Seems curiously unfinished, as if director John Landis spent all his energy on spectacular set pieces and then didn't want to bother with things like transitions, character development, or an ending. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Considering its often campy competition, it's hard to argue that, if your in the mood for lycanthropy, London is the place to go. Full Review

Tom Huddlestone
October 30, 2009
Tom Huddlestone, Time Out

Not just gory but actually frightening, not just funny but clever, 'American Werewolf...' has its flaws, but these are outweighed by the film's many, mighty strengths. Full Review

October 30, 2009
Film4

The best movie ever written by a teenager - Landis was 19 when he penned the first draft - and a constant comic delight. Full Review

Toby Young
October 30, 2009
Toby Young, Times [UK]

But in a "comedy horror" picture, the "horror" bits aren't supposed to be this scary. He would have been better off dispensing with the comedy altogether. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
October 30, 2009
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

Scary-funny is an acquired taste. For me, it tends to be a recipe in which you can't taste either of the constituent ingredients. The big man-to-wolf transformation scene is still a marvel. Full Review

October 30, 2009
Sky Movies

The metamorphoses into the werewolf scenes are spectacular and the beast's rampage through Piccadilly Circus is marvellous. Splendid gory fun. Full Review

Jamie Graham
October 30, 2009
Jamie Graham, Total Film

Still scary, violent and very, very funny. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • David Kessler: Queen Elizabeth is a man! Prince Charles is a faggot! Winston Churchill was full of shit! Shakespeare was French! Fuck! Shit! Cunt!
    • David Kessler: Be rational, sure...I'm a fucking werewolf for Christs Sake!
    • David Kessler: Look at me, sitting in a porno theather in Piccadilly Circus talking to a Corpse!
    • Jack Goodman: [as nurse goes Jack appears] Can I have a piece of that?
    • David Kessler: Get the fuck out of here Jack!
    • Jack Goodman: Thanks a lot David!
    • Barmaid: (after hearing a wolf's howl) - Listen. Do you hear it? We must go to them.
    • Chess player: (pretending he heard nothing) - I heard nothing.
    • Darts Player: (puts his head down in shame) - Nor I.
    • Jack Goodman: Excuse me, but what's that star on the wall for?
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An American Werewolf in London Trivia

  • Which Movie features a Naked "Balloon Thief" in London Zoo and the porno theatre showing 'See You Next Wednesday'?  Answer »
  • In the 70s movie 'An American Werewolf In London' which character(s) does the werewolf in question NOT kill?  Answer »
  • I can name that movie in ? notes! Listen and pick the movie that made it famous or vice versa  Answer »
  • Name the movie from this quote: "A naked American man stole my balloons"  Answer »
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