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An American Werewolf in London

Play trailer 1:35 Poster for An American Werewolf in London R 1981 1h 37m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 149 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast.
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An American Werewolf in London

An American Werewolf in London

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Critics Consensus

Terrifying and funny in almost equal measure, John Landis' horror-comedy crosses genres while introducing Rick Baker's astounding make-up effects.

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Critics Reviews

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Will Jones Minneapolis Star Tribune 20h
Quite a jolly and even witty werewolf movie, and by far the best werewolf flick of my moviegoing experience. Go to Full Review
Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times 20h
"An American Werewolf in London" is the work of confident and daring film maker who knows exactly what he's doing, who goes right smack up to the edge but never falls off it. Go to Full Review
Edward J. Fay New York Daily News 20h
2/4
The film lacks continuity -- jumping from light comedy to sheer horror to black humor -- and succeeds at irritation. Go to Full Review
Bill Cosford Miami Herald 20h
2/4
Where you expect tension, you get sagging scenes. Where you expect action, you get gore. Where you expect melodrama, you get Rick Baker's special effects. Go to Full Review
Bruce Bailey Montreal Gazette 20h
What's troubling about the film is that if often seems no more than a series of set-pieces shuffled together without a serious attempt at continuity. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Richard Harrison Oct 10 this is one of the Best movies of all time See more Julia Oct 10 This is one of my all time favorite movies EVER and I was so thrilled to see it was playing in theaters. Loving all the classic horror movies that have been playing, keep it up! See more Jeffrey W Oct 10 An absolute classic! Great music, humor and one of the best werewolf transformation scenes in cinema history. See more Spencer Nielsen 09/14/2024 The monster-as-metaphor is brilliant. The werewolf here is simultaneously a universal stand-in for the Other, as well as a personal stand-in for the anxieties of a Jewish-American. David Kessler is rendered as secular an American as you could expect, yet wherever he goes, he seems to be marked by his blood. It seems inevitable that the only way out is for him to spill it—either by his own hand, or the horde of fascists just waiting at the door. See more nick S @Nick_S Jul 29 The cast was great, particularly the lead. Transformation scene was very impressive. Some of the effects were a little dated of course but not enough to affect the film. I like the writer's take on the genre, though it would have made for stronger storytelling if the central theme was resolved by the main character. See more Shadow R @GeminiShadowRealm Jul 3 Rick Baker’s practical effects are legendary for a reason. Watching David's bones stretch and reshape while "Blue Moon" plays in the background is still genuinely uncomfortable to watch. It puts modern CGI to absolute shame. David’s dead best friend showing up in increasingly worse states of decay to casually chat and guilt-trip him is peak dark humor. It’s easily the best part of the movie. John Landis (the director) jumps from brutal, terrifying horror to goofy, slapstick comedy. Has some great music choices. It builds up to this big tragic climax, the wolf gets cornered, and then, bam hard cut to black, upbeat '60s music plays, and the credits roll. It’s a little messy and definitely feels like a product of the early '80s, but it's just so much fun. It’s not a perfect movie, but between the incredible creature effects and the dry wit, it’s perfectly fun for a movie night. See more Read all reviews
An American Werewolf in London

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An American Werewolf in London

An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Jack's Warning An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Jack's Warning 2:54 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Undead Jack An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Undead Jack 2:29 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Werewolf Attack An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Werewolf Attack 2:37 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Let Me Help You An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Let Me Help You 1:37 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Mutant Nazi Nightmare An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Mutant Nazi Nightmare 1:25 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - The Slaughtered Lamb An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - The Slaughtered Lamb 2:57 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - David's Undead Victims An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - David's Undead Victims 2:59 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Subway Chase An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Subway Chase 2:11 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - London Massacre An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - London Massacre 1:38 An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Naked at the Zoo An American Werewolf in London: Official Clip - Naked at the Zoo 1:12 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast.
Director
John Landis
Producer
George Folsey Jr.
Screenwriter
John Landis
Distributor
MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Vestron Video, Polygram, Universal Pictures, Live Video
Production Co
Guber-Peters Company, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 21, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 13, 2015
Runtime
1h 37m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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