Buffy the Vampire Slayer poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Paul Reubens, Luke Perry ... see more see more... , Michele Abrams , Hilary Swank , Paris Vaughan , David Arquette , Randall Batinkoff , Candy Clark , Andrew Lowery , Sasha Jenson , Stephen Root , Natasha Gregson Wagner , Mark De Carlo , Ben Affleck , Chino Binamo , Al Goto , Michael Kopelow , Ricki Lake , Paul Lane , Chi-Muoi Lo , Rick Logan , James Paradise , David Sherrill , Ben R. Scott , Terry Jackson , Sharon Schaffer , Lincoln Simonds , Johanna Ray , Mike Johnson , Tony Maxwell , Kurtis Epper Sanders , Thomas Jane , Liz Smith

The idea of fusing teen sex-comedy and horror genres into a boffo box-office bonanza seems like classic braindead Hollywood-think... but somehow, beyond all reason, the makers of this film manage to p... read more read more...ull it off. Much of the credit goes to director Fran Rubel Kuzui (Tokyo Pop) who chooses wisely to let the jokes and action rip by so quickly that viewers won't have time to realize there's practically nothing going on. Also excellent is Kristy Swanson as the bubble-headed cheerleader who learns from a Van Helsing-ish stranger (Donald Sutherland) that she's, like, the reincarnation of this pure female warrior and stuff, destined to rid the world -- or at least the Valley -- of vampires. No sooner is the Buffster being schooled in the ways of vampire butt-kicking (much to the consternation of meek pretty-boy beau Luke Perry) than the lead vampire (Rutger Hauer) and his leering cronies show up -- and leading up the pack is none other than Pee-Wee Herman himself, Paul Reubens. Fans of this film's popular TV offspring will appreciate the fang-sharp humor but may be surprised to find little evidence of the spooky atmosphere that permeates the series -- though there are some inspired moments, particularly the ridiculous death-by-ruler scene. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

317,218 ratings

Critics

32% liked it

34 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Fran Rubel Kuzui

Release Date: July 31, 1992

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: September 4, 2001

Stats: 11,819 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Buffy the vampire slayer Buffy the Vampire Slayer Buffy the vampire slayer cast Sarah Michelle Gellar Buffy the Vampire Slayer buffy the vampire slayer movie Buffy & spike Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Kristy Swanson Always effulgent SPIKE The Clique Buffy and Spike Will the Real Buffy Please stand up? tom lenk Buffy the Vampire Slayer Elizabeth Anne Allen Robia as Jenny Calendar
Upload a Photo | View All Buffy the Vampire Slayer Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (11,819)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 9, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an average horror comedy that is purely designed to be fun and entertaining. Though flawed, and not perfect, the film manages to be quite amusing. However the film is no where close to the TV series, which was darker, better executed and acted. Not say... read moreing that this film is bad, but this film has a lot of room for improvement. There are plenty of comedic moments here and there, and the cast are good, but not great. As far as a horror comedy is concerned, Buffy the Vampire Slayer works well enough to entertain, but leaves a lot to be desired. The film is lots of fun, and manages to be effective at being a good vampire flick; however the film is not as memorable as say, The Lost Boys or Fright Night. For what it is, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a cool, little gem of a film, with nothing that's ever spectacular. But I will say this; this is definitely not a bad film. The film can easily be seen as a guilty pleasure, as it's not perfect, but it does manage to be amusing. I thought that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a good film, nothing exceptionally great. In the end, this is a silly horror comedy that is fun, despite the fact that it's never anything remarkable. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an entertaining but flawed film, and it's not as bad as everyone says it is. If you enjoy a mindless vampire comedy, this is a film to check out.
  • phubbs1
    July 21, 2011
    phubbs1
    Now a very stereotypical vampire film with all the cliches and predictable stuff you can imagine which now is really quite lame to watch even if you look past the cute retro appeal.

    The effects and makeup are very basic much like the acting but at the end of the day this was a f... read moreilm for teenage girls to swoon over Luke Perry hehe Teenage boys had Swanson whilst an air of class was attemped with the inclusion of Hauer and Sutherland, Hauer looking your typical classic Dracula in tucks, flowing cape with slick back hair and Sutherland your typical Sherlock Holmes clothed Van Helsing type.

    If you look closer there is actually quite a strong cast in there, at the time of course they were all unknowns. Its all silly childish stuff as it was meant to be but very dated now and pretty crappy.
  • ajv2688
    May 1, 2011
    ajv2688
    One of my favourite teen movies of the 90s! This movie was better than the show for me, it's fun, humorous, exciting, and over the top. Plus, it's got Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, and David Arquette together in a movie! This movie helps when I'm feeling blue. It's not a s... read moreerious or scary vampire movie, it's just entertaining and I highly recommend it.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 4, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    I feel sorry for Joss Whedon. They took his script and manipulated it to be some Clueless vampire slayer movie. The show, completely different, holds the true essence of Buffy.
  • solesoulsorrow
    June 23, 2010
    solesoulsorrow
    I liked the TV series more than the original film. Those words just feel weird coming out of my mouth... (cuz usually its the other way around)
  • erika250
    May 30, 2010
    erika250
    the film was just lame.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    May 12, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    On the one hand, I have seen all 7 seasons of Buffy the TV show. But this did start it all. So I DID like the vampire appearance changes in the TV show, but I actually really liked this and I'm glad they developed the TV show from it. Luke Perry was a few years before my time and... read more damn, I do see what the fuss was about...
    Still, it's your basic campy 80s teen video (yes, technically it was made in 1992, but the 80s is so, so present in it). Though, it weirds me out Paul Reubens is a vampire...
  • Redlats
    September 22, 2009
    Redlats
    I saw this movie 17 years after it was released. Even after seeing a few of the Buffy TV shows. Perhaps I was expecting too much for the first movie of the Buffy genre. I didn't like it. Too simplistic. Stick to the TV series, and skip this movie.
  • LWOODS04
    April 26, 2009
    LWOODS04
    In my opinion this movie was crap.. And I must disagree with with "drblood' when he said that Kristy is better looking than Sarah Michelle Gellar.. I think not.. But I do agree as far as the show being absolutely better then this movie.. The vampires were so obviously fake.. Of c... read moreourse in all reallity they are but its called make-believe.. So make us believe they are real.. They failed awfully at this movie... Maybe they should remake all the crappy movies from the past and make them good instead of remaking all the classics.. It sure would be a an upgrade for this movie..
  • bhobbs1985
    January 21, 2009
    bhobbs1985
    I don't know how anyone can really be a fan of "Comedy Horror" as the concept itself is honestly just retarded.
    I dont know if the movie suffers from that or the early 90's plague of bad jokes, bad fashion, and bad acting.

    It's obviously completley hollywood as no one would ... read morefind a laughing matter surrounding vampires taking over the city, but whatever.

    Luke Perry and Donald Sutherland are your better actors in the film. Kristy Swanson fails at even being close to a good actor. To me the entire film was just silly, unbelievable, not funny, and not scary. Which I think is all the reasons it was supposed to be made for?

    However there were a few selected scenes that focused on the slayers struggle with life and destiny, in which is where the film get's my few stars.

    I don't really reccommend this movie to anyone inless you are bored and wanting to watch something that escapes you from all seriousness in reality that our world has to offer.

View All Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
October 15, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Joss Whedon's script has some fun with Valley talk (both genuine and ersatz) but strains to sell the story. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
October 15, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A bloodless comic resurrection of the undead that goes serious just when it should get wild and woolly. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

A slight, good-humored film that's a lot more painless than might have been expected. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

As a friend tells Buffy while she eyes a fashion purchase, 'It's so five minutes ago.'

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

The jokes are pretty good, the premise is just off-the-wall enough to keep you tittering. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The second half feels stretched out and muddled, as if screenwriter Joss Whedon drove a stake through his script. Full Review

Emma Cochrane
October 15, 2007
Emma Cochrane, Empire Magazine

Enjoyable, but now basically a footnote to the TV series. Full Review

October 15, 2007
Film4

Quite why Perry, as romantic interest, is still trying to convince peopel he is of high school age remains a mystery. Full Review

October 15, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

This pallid crossbreeding of vampire horror with Valley Girl vamping has no surprises. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

Unfocused stuff, pitched at undemanding teenagers. Full Review

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)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Lost Boys
    The Lost Boys (74%)
  • Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
    Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (93%)
  • Underworld: Evolution
    Underworld: Evolution (63%)
  • Habit
    Habit (0%)

More Movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Buffy the Vampire... : Watch Free on TV

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Trivia

  • This movie starring Kristy Swanson was the beginning of a TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar in the same role.  Answer »
  • Which of the following movies was Johnny Depp NOT in?  Answer »
  • Does the word "duh" mean anything to you? The above quote is from what 'vampire' movie (1992)  Answer »
  • The following quote comes from which movie: "...umm...do you see spots? do talk to elvis?..."  Answer »
More Buffy the Vampire Slayer Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Buffy the Vampire Slayer Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Buffy the Vampire Slayer to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Buffy the Vampire Slayer News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

xxxsammijxxx Skin by xxxsammijxxx
437 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins