The Howling

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The Howling

R

1981

1h 31m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

130 Reviews

61%

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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Critics Consensus

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

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David Robinson

The Times (UK)

Jun 22

What the film lacks in plot it makes up in special effects, bizarre metamorphoses and the sort of gory shocks that the contemporary juvenile audience is said to demand.

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J. Hoberman

Village Voice

Mar 18

It's a superior entertainment -- as creepy, witty, and suggestive as its disreputable genre would warrant.

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Archer Winsten

New York Post

Mar 18

Director Joe Dante has handled these horrible horror without a qualm.

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Jul 13

3.5/5

One of the rare films that could actually benefit from a longer runtime, The Howling nevertheless impresses with incredible practical effects and a raw performance from Dee Wallace.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Jul 8

3.5/5

Joe Dante's B-movie is sleazier than An American Werewolf in London (complimentary), and the practical effects are just as good. A little odd, a little sexy, and a nice bit of humanity from star Dee Wallace.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 26

3.5/4

Second only to 1941’s The Wolf Man as the best werewolf flick ever made.

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steve

04/28/2025

Absolute CLASSIC werewolf flick!!! Worth the watch for old school nostalgia 80s horror.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown May 23

It's werewolf effects didn't age well, but the premise of a serial killer leading a news anchor to a cult of werewolves is decently fun.

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Erik E.

@TiltedFoliage May 21

An excellent werewolf movie with an ending that's still relevant 40+ years later. I highly recommend giving the Howling a watch.

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revolver.0 8

@Revolver08 Apr 6

clunky and slow paced

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Aaron S.

@Aaron0309 Feb 17

The Howling has great practical effects and a surprisingly strong storyline, making it one of the most memorable werewolf films for me.

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Farah R.

@Farah Feb 13

The Howling boasts the best werewolf transformation through practical effects since An American Werewolf in London. That scene alone makes up for the slow pace and predictable plot.

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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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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