RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • 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 / House of Wax
House of Wax

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

House of Wax (2005)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
26 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:145

Fresh:37

Rotten:108

Average Rating:4.3/10

Consensus: Bearing little resemblance to the 1953 original, House of Wax is a formulaic but better-than-average teen slasher flick.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for horror violence, some sexual content and language.

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Theatrical Release:2005-Summer

Box Office: $32,000,834

Synopsis: In this remake of the classic 1953 Andre de Toth film that starred Vincent Price, horrors abound in a creepy wax museum. A group of road-tripping Florida teenagers (Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael... In this remake of the classic 1953 Andre de Toth film that starred Vincent Price, horrors abound in a creepy wax museum. A group of road-tripping Florida teenagers (Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Paris Hilton, Robert Ri'chard, Jared Padalecki, and Jon Abrahams) stop to camp near a small town where an abandoned wax museum draws their curiosity. Upon exploring the scary cobwebbed space, they find that the figures are not only eerily lifelike, but that the entire museum--floor to ceiling--is actually made of wax. If that wasn't enough to scare them, they encounter a couple of very unsettling characters who seem to be the only people around for miles. One is a blood-splattered redneck who collects roadkill, dumping the bodies of dead deer into a fetid carcass swamp. The other is Bo (Brian Van Holt), a gas station attendant who lures the kids back to his house. Soon, through a series of stomach-turning slasher scenes featuring scissors, long knives, and even a pair of pliers, the teens get to know Bo a whole lot better. They even meet his insane brother Vincent (also played by Van Holt). Brief interludes of teen squabbling and a Hilton strip tease in red lace lingerie temporarily break the tension, but for the most part this HOUSE OF WAX stays the course with shockingly gory moments that earn grosser-than-gross status. Sick predilections involving an experimental surgical station and an elaborate wax-coating machine reveal Vincent's artistic process. But before the bloodbath is over, more twisted secrets about Bo and Vincent bubble to the surface, resulting in a spectacular grand finale and total meltdown. [More]

Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Brian Van Holt, Paris Hilton

Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Brian Van Holt, Paris Hilton, Jared Padalecki, Jon Abrahams, Robert Ri'chard

Director: Jaume Collet-Sera

Director: Jaume Collet-Sera
Screenwriter: Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes
Producer: Joel Silver, Robert Zemeckis, Susan Levin
Composer: John Ottman
Studio: Warner Bros.

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • On the Set of House of Wax
    >
    House of Wax Trailer
    >
1 - 2 of 2

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

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

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Oct 25, 2005

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • House of Wax tells the story of a group of friends who fall prey to a sinister plot while passing through a small town on their way to a college football game.
  • Source: Warner Home Video
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for House of Wax

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Urban Cinefile Critics
    Urban Cinefile Critics
    Urban Cinefile

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
    08/07/08
    Bob Grimm
    Bob Grimm
    Sacramento News & Review
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
    08/17/07
    Time Out New York

    This Wax's infusion of Paris Hilton and flirty teen sex comedy retreads might have sent original wax maniac Vincent Price into spontaneous meltdown, without the need of heating fluid.

    Full Review Source: Long Island Press | comment Comment
    05/22/07
    Prairie Miller
    Prairie Miller
    Long Island Press

    Not just fun and funny (don't forget, Paris Hilton's in it), but it's also surprisingly frightening.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    02/26/07
    Kevin Allison
    Kevin Allison
    Film Journal International

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
    10/30/06
    Garth Franklin
    Garth Franklin
    Dark Horizons

    full review in Greek

    Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment Comment
    10/03/06
    Joseph Proimakis
    Joseph Proimakis
    Movies for the Masses
    N/R

    Click to read the article

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

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    01/07/06
    Empire Magazine

    Apparent kills are left unverified, handy firearms are left untouched, and the group splits up a record four times, ensuring most of these dolts will never see the dawn.

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Pete Vonder Haar
    Pete Vonder Haar
    Film Threat

    Mal actuada, mal editada, previsible de principio a fin y sin terror alguno de por medio, es una de esas cintas que deberían haberse quedado en la fase de proyecto.

    Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
    11/26/05
    Jorge Avila Andrade
    Jorge Avila Andrade
    Moviola

    Now, if you can just stay sane until the actual slasher portion of the flick takes off, you might be okay.

    Full Review Source: Needcoffee.com | comment Comment
    11/14/05
    Widgett Walls
    Widgett Walls
    Needcoffee.com

    It's a bloody, messy little throwback that unintentionally brushes against fetish since it eventually dips so many of its hotties in hot wax.

    Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
    11/04/05
    Christopher Smith
    Christopher Smith
    Bangor Daily News (Maine)

    House of Wax aims low and hits the mark. It has all the gory bloodshed you could ask for and all the right special effects.

    Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
    10/19/05
    John J. Puccio
    John J. Puccio
    DVDTown.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
    09/26/05
    AV Club

    After one gets past the trendy casting of Paris Hilton, this above-average horror flick actually surfaces from the bloody pit of remakes clutching a few decent ideas.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    09/02/05
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    The whole thing is vacuously enjoyable, downright nasty in places and, despite the fact that the ending is rushed, has a pretty spectacular finish.

    Full Review Source: RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) | comment Comment
    07/21/05
    Harry Guerin
    Harry Guerin
    RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
    07/15/05
    Sydney Morning Herald
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    07/05/05
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch

    The film’s storyline has more in common with Manos, The Hands of Fate than the original House of Wax.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    06/28/05
    Uri Lessing
    Uri Lessing
    eFilmCritic.com
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
    all

    Latest News for House of Wax

    September 23, 2008: Selsus.com: Cekici, seksi, zevkli ve urpertici bir korku. Opens in new window
    More...

    September 23, 2008: Cineteka.com: Quente, sexy, deliciosamente, assustador. Opens in new window
    More...

    November 30, 2007: Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga Adopt a Scary Orphan
    Horror trends come and go, but through 'em all, one thing remains the same: Kids are creepy. More...

    July 30, 2007: Paris Hilton Joins Bousman's Rock Opera
    Remember how "Saw" sequel maker Darren Lynn Bousman signed a deal to do a musical called "Repo! The Genetic Opera"? Yeah, for Lionsgate. And you'll never guess who he just cast... More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    15% 15% 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
    95% 95% Star Trek
    67% 67% Bruno
    47% 47% My Sister's Keeper
    66% 66% Is Anybody There?
    82% 82% Thirst

    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

    Avatar

    Avatar

    Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

    Friday Harvest

    Friday Harvest

    This week's best pics, posters, and videos!

    RT's Gift Guide

    RT's Gift Guide

    Give the best movies, gear, and more!

    What to Watch?

    What to Watch?

    Read our Holiday Movie Preview!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
    98
    • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
    30
    • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
    55
    • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
    20
    • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
    24
    • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
    51
    • McTeigue Says Superman Is "In a Weird Place" Source: MTV
    204
    • Rachel McAdams Debunks Spider-Man 4 Rumor Source: Entertainment Weekly
    117
    • Avatar: Gambling on Film's Future Source: Los Angeles Times
    128
    • Emmerich Talks Independence Day Sequels Source: MTV
    72
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
    94
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: 2012 Destroys the Competition
    84
    • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
    71
    • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
    54
    • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
    48
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Star Trek, Bruno, and Cheaper Sopranos
    32
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    19
    • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
    9
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    7
    • Ho, ho, ho! It's RT's Great Big Gift Guide!
    0
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    7
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    19
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    6
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    15
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    15
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    8
    • 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
    • Emma Stone talks Zombieland - RT Interview
    41
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • House of Wax at Rotten Tomatoes
    • House of Wax at IGN
    • House of Wax at AskMen

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Star Trek DVD Exclusive
    Star Trek DVD Exclusive External Link

    TECHLAND gives us a first look at the extras, including Leonard Nimoy's last day on set!

    The New Cult Canon
    The New Cult Canon External Link

    AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

    New Moon Portraits
    New Moon Portraits External Link

    TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

    Unsexiest Men Alive
    Unsexiest Men Alive External Link

    Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.

    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.