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Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Michael Rosenbaum, Loretta Devine ... see more see more... , Joshua Jackson , Tara Reid , John Neville , Robert Englund , Natasha Gregson Wagner , Danielle Harris , Brad Dourif

Australian director Jamie Blanks helmed this teen horror film set at Pendleton University. Campus legend has it that 25 years earlier Pendleton was the site of a mass murder by a demented abnormal psy... read more read more...ch instructor who killed six students and then himself. However, no proof of the prof's deed remains. Urban legends are the subject of a course in American folklore taught by Professor Wexler (Robert Englund). When a series of bizarre deaths occur on the campus, assertive student Natalie thinks they are murders based on urban legends, but classmates Brenda (Rebecca Gayheart), ambitious journalism major Paul (Jared Leto), and practical joker Damon (Joshua Jackson) claim it's just a coincidence. Then Natalie begins to realize that she's the next victim. Since Joshua Jackson is a co-lead on TV's Dawson's Creek, an inside joke surfaces when a radio plays a bit of the Dawson's Creek theme (Paula Cole's I Don't Want to Wait). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

46% liked it

147,838 ratings

Critics

21% liked it

48 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Jamie Blanks

Release Date: September 25, 1998

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 2001

Stats: 3,772 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,772)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 20, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Another Scream rip-off, Urban Legends tends to navigate the same uninspired waters as many of the "teen" horror films of the late 1990's. Thankfully it's a forgettable film that doesn't do anything to raise the stakes in the Horror genre. This is a poorly made film with awful act... read moreing, a terrible plot, directing and cheap scares. The film is pointless and does nothing to thrill its audience. The film insults the viewer for which the movie was intended for by not challenging their thoughts hard enough. What was great about the old horror films was that, there was always a great amount of suspense, shocks and jolts. Something that's significantly absent from these types of films. The film fails because the material that's presented on screen is uninspired, often boring. This is a stupid film that's a wasted opportunity because it actually did have an interesting idea for a slasher film. However that failed. The result is a forgettable "horror" film that has definitely NOT stood the test the test of time, and since the release of this film, there's been far better horror films this film is one of the worst the Horror genre has ever produced. Avoid.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Scary at times but a little boring.
  • kiriyamakazou
    May 30, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    The usual late 90's slasher taht fails to advance on Scream's post-modern brilliance. In fairness, the idea is quite a good one, with scary urban legends becoming reality. It could have been a nice way for the film to comment on fears inherent in all of us, as urban legends tend ... read moreto focus on one simple theme. Unfortunately, the film goes for simple slashngs of college kids. There isn't a lot of tension and one can only imagine the screenwriters telling stories to each other as quickly as they could, rather than creating the dread. Fairly tame, and no where near as scary as the legends themselves.
  • ythelastman89
    May 28, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A campy, yet extremely entertaining movie. It makes little sense and is quite goofy, but it sort've fits in with the source material. It's the typical teen slasher, but has enough odd moments and kooky characters to be seen as a unique piece. It's a lot more like a 80s movie rath... read moreer than a 90s which I quite liked.
  • 3niR
    May 18, 2010
    3niR
    The idea of the story was so so. Not that good.
  • cosmo313
    March 21, 2010
    cosmo313
    Decently entertaining 90s slasher, but nothing too special.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 20, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    Ok, but not a classic.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    A poor slasher film with a wasted idea. I've always thought Joshua Jackson could have done better for himself.
  • puffchunk
    October 1, 2007
    puffchunk
    balhhhh
  • thmtsang
    July 15, 2007
    thmtsang
    Ever heard an urban myth? This movie brings them to life. Josh doesn;t suit the bleached look though.

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Critic Reviews

Liam Lacey
April 25, 2003
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Like Frankenstein's monster before the lightning strikes, it's all recycled cold flesh and bolts, without a twitch of originality. Full Review

Bob Heisler
February 14, 2001
Bob Heisler, Los Angeles Times

A low-voltage drive-in movie, made strictly by the book. Full Review

Ty Burr
January 1, 2000
Ty Burr, Entertainment Weekly

It's just a weary sigh over how Scream's juicy archness has already turned into boilerplate.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Competently made! Full Review

Sean Means
January 1, 2000
Sean Means, Film.com

Those of us with brain cells, however, will spit out this Scream retread like it was spider-egg-laced bubble gum.

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A routine slasher, and not a particularly scary one. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

A teen-age moviegoer's dream. Full Review

Betsy Sherman
January 1, 2000
Betsy Sherman, Boston Globe

A proud product of the Scream cookie-cutter!

Kevin Maynard
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz

Can we please declare a moratorium on Scream rip-offs?

Tom Maurstad
January 1, 2000
Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News

it's just the old-fashioned, yikes-this-stinks variety.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Brenda: (at the very end of the movie; in a student circle conversation) Okay listen up guys, 'cause this is how the story really goes!
    • Damon: I'll see you two in class tomorrow.
    • Brenda: Unfortunately.
    • Brenda: Sh*t! Bullet through the head. Not exactly an urban legend, but in the essence of time.
    • Brenda: Oh, great. Rent-A-Cop to the rescue.
    • Brenda: (to Natalie) I'm really going to enjoy watching you bleed to death. (Puts the scalpel up to Natalie) Now, is this your kidney? Or is that the liver? I was always such a dope in anatomy. Well, who cares, right? First organ I see, I'm just gonna grab it.
    • Brenda: (to Natalie) Don't you wanna be an urban legend? All your friends are now.
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Urban Legend Trivia

  • Which is NOT a Wes Craven film?  Answer »
  • In Urban Legend, what message was written on the wall in blood?  Answer »
  • What movie did a group of friends take a roadtrip and find out about an old legend?  Answer »
  • What movie has this quote : 'Someone's taking alot of these urban legends and making them real life' ?  Answer »
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