RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / An American Werewolf in London
An American Werewolf in London

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
88 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:42

Fresh:37

Rotten:5

Average Rating:7.5/10

Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: In this grisly black comedy, David Kessler and Jack Goodman (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne, respectively) are two American students on a backpacking tour of Europe. Wandering the backroads of... In this grisly black comedy, David Kessler and Jack Goodman (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne, respectively) are two American students on a backpacking tour of Europe. Wandering the backroads of gloomy East Proctor, England, they find a pub where the unhelpful locals act suspiciously strange. The unsuspecting boys flee the pub in search of lodging after being warned to avoid the moors. Lost in the dark countryside, the pair is attacked by a werewolf. Only David survives, waking up three weeks later in a London hospital. As David begins to regain his memory he is tormented by nightmares and is visited by his dead friend Jack, who warns David that he will turn into a werewolf with the next full moon--and that the only way to lift the curse is to kill himself. Because the town of East Proctor has covered up the real cause of the murder, David is forced to face the truth alone. Finally, he is discharged and taken in by his nubile nurse, Alex Price (Jenny Agutter). As Alex and David begin their steamy love affair, it is only a matter of time before the next full moon comes--when the truth will be revealed. Director John Landis has crafted an entertaining, funny horror story, featuring the terrific combination of Naughton and Dunne and a sparkling rock score in which every song includes the word "moon.". [More]

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine

Director: John Landis

Director: John Landis
Screenwriter: John Landis
Composer: Elmer Bernstein

[See More Credits]

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Dec 9, 1997

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for An American Werewolf in London

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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 Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
09/23/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A horror classic. It's ten times better than its follow-up, An American Werewolf in Paris, and about fifty times better than Halloween.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment 1 Comment
01/01/00
James Brundage
James Brundage
Filmcritic.com

Undeniably delivers a good share of scares and dark laughs. And for all its lack of discipline, it's a model of directorial clarity when compared with Landis's subsequent work, which inexorably descended into indulgence and foolishness.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/23/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide

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

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
10/30/09
Sky Movies

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

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
10/30/09
Channel 4 Film

...a really visceral movie...

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
09/27/01
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

It might not belong on anyone’s all-time greats list, but it definitely rates right up there among the most entertaining films of its era.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
10/16/01
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Darkly funny, suspenseful and unforgettable.

comment Comment
04/11/06
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

A fresh look at getting at the werewolf fable.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/01/04
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Director John Landis brings humor to this offbeat reworking of the familiar tale for which Rick Baker received a well deserved Oscar for his makeup (in the first year of that category).

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
03/27/07
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Awesome horror movie, great use of music for comedic effect, and the transformation still rules.

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
About.com

Landis leans too heavily on the shock effects provided by Rick Baker's lycanthropic transformation make-up.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

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 Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

few movies had mixed comedy and horror with such utter aplomb

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
09/26/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Still scary, violent and very, very funny.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
10/30/09
Jamie Graham
Jamie Graham
Total Film

You've got to give John Landis credit for taking the well-worn werewolf tale and injecting it with new life, so to speak.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
01/01/07
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/16/04
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

No review available.

comment Comment
09/01/04
Jonathan R. Perry
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

Okay werewolf flick that's overproduced and tries too hard.

comment Comment
08/24/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

When somebody says "Stay off the moors," you should listen.

comment Comment
02/24/03
Kevin A. Ranson
Kevin A. Ranson
MovieCrypt.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for An American Werewolf in London

June 29, 2009: Weinsteins Plotting American Werewolf in London Remake? Opens in new window
According to a source at Bloody Disgusting, John Landis has cut a deal with Dimension Films allowing the studio to remake "An American Werewolf in London." More...

August 02, 2005: John Landis Goes to the "Dogs"
Veteran comedy director John Landis will helm "Show Dogs" for New Line Cinema, says Variety. Described as a canine-centric "Pygmalion," the story focuses on... More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
14% 14% The Ugly Truth
98% 98% Up
36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
32% 32% Terminator Salvation
44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
86% 86% A Christmas Tale
60% 60% Paper Heart

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

Nine Pictures

Nine Pictures

Hottest poster ever? 14 pictures from Nine

Disney Countdown

Disney Countdown

Look back on Disney's best animated movies!

RT's Gift Guide

RT's Gift Guide

Give the best movies, gear, and more!

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

See what her 10 best reviewed films are!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • No Hobbit Until 2012? Source: The Wrap
9
  • Don't Hold Your Breath for Hancock 2 Source: HitFix
22
  • Peter Berg Talks Battleship Source: CHUD
1
  • Summit Ponders Twilight Finale Source: Variety
135
  • First Look at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Source: USA Today
44
  • Jeremy Renner Talks Hawkeye Possibilities Source: Superhero Hype
14
  • Todd Phillips Talks The Hangover 2 Source: Entertainment Weekly
18
  • Tron Legacy Duo Heading into The Black Hole Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • First Iron Man 2 Poster Released Source: Yahoo! Movies
80
  • Ryan Reynolds Talks Green Lantern Source: MTV
16
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Ban Them All! 10 Infamously Controversial Movies
99
  • Friday Harvest: The Road, Avatar, and more!
96
  • 5 Facts About The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
91
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Vampires and Football Break Thanksgiving Records
36
  • Total Recall: Natalie Portman's Best Movies
32
  • Weekly Ketchup: Zombieland 2 in 3D?
28
  • Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
25
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Terminator Salvation and a Smithsonian Battle
20
  • Duncan Jones Reteams With Kevin Spacey
5
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
11
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
21
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
22
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • An American Werewolf in London at Rotten Tomatoes
  • An American Werewolf in London at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Wes Anderson on Fox
Wes Anderson on Fox External Link

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Animated Oscar?
Animated Oscar? External Link

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

TIME's Holiday Movie Preview
TIME's Holiday Movie Preview External Link

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

Scenic Routes
Scenic Routes External Link

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.