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Phantom of the Paradise

Play trailer Poster for Phantom of the Paradise PG 1974 1h 32m Musical Comedy Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
After record producer Swan (Paul Williams) steals the music of songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) and gives it to one of his bands, Leach sneaks into Swan's offices. Catching Leach, Swan frames him for dealing drugs, which lands him in prison. After Leach breaks out and again attempts to sabotage Swan's empire, an accident crushes his face. Leach then dons a costume and becomes the Phantom, intent on ruining Swan while saving singer Phoenix (Jessica Harper) from a terrible fate.
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Phantom of the Paradise

Phantom of the Paradise

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Critics Consensus

Brian De Palma's subversive streak is on full display in Phantom of the Paradise, an ebullient rock opera that rhapsodizes creativity when it isn't seething with disdain for the music industry.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrew Sarris Village Voice Jun 27, 2023
De Palma has mixed too many of his styles in Phantom of the Paradise, but this is still a movie to be seen and heard. Go to Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Jun 27, 2023
A crazy, savage film -- iconoclastic and truly liberating. Go to Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Jun 27, 2023
De Palma, who can't tell a plain story, does something that a couple of generations of student and underground filmmakers have been trying to do and nobody else has ever brought off. He creates a new Guignol, in a modern idiom. Go to Full Review Natalia Keogan Screen Slate Aug 26, 2026
In the 50 years since it came out, Phantom of the Paradise has found a passionate fan base due to its success at capturing the conventions of ‘70s popular culture. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jun 17, 2026
5/5
…some old-school baroque and roll…what makes Phantom of the Paradise a stone cold classic are the songs and De Palma’s wild style…his reputation isn’t exactly set on his musicals, and yet his flair is ideal for this OTT rock and roll pastiche… Go to Full Review Jack Kapica Montreal Gazette Apr 2, 2026
Filmed with skill, it's certainly one of the more original movies of the year, and worth a look. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Al H @RT44447405 Aug 12, 2026 A silly, fun and entertaining movie. I liked it in the theatre in 1974 and still like it. And Paul Williams’ music is excellent… See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 17, 2025 One of my all time favorites. Definitely a gem, which means not many know about it. See more Jason H @RT50328122 Oct 12, 2025 The music in this movie is excellent. See more Noel L @RT15930389 Aug 24, 2025 This was Phantom of the Opera meets The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The songs were entertaining, the special effects were on point for it's time, and the acting wasn't half bad See more Blu B @RT43513976 Aug 12, 2025 All Time Classic. It's a Musical, comedy, and horror mixed with a hint of Rocky Horror Picture Show (Although this came first), arthouse, and New Hollywood style to it and you get one of the most bizarre, crazy, super freakin creative, lighting in a bottle, masterfully written and layered, incredibly executed, and awesome things I've ever seen Just like R.H.P.S. this needs to be seen to be believed and understood. Everyone should give this a try once. You know as crazy as it is I feel like it ironcically is more grounded in fundamentals than R.H.P.S. is too. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 20, 2025 Unfunny in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Phantom of the Paradise

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Cast & Crew

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Brian De Palma

Director

Paul Williams

Swan

William Finley

Winslow

Jessica Harper

Phoenix

George Memmoli

Philbin

Gerrit Graham

Beef

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Phantom of the Paradise

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Phantom of the Paradise (1974) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After record producer Swan (Paul Williams) steals the music of songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) and gives it to one of his bands, Leach sneaks into Swan's offices. Catching Leach, Swan frames him for dealing drugs, which lands him in prison. After Leach breaks out and again attempts to sabotage Swan's empire, an accident crushes his face. Leach then dons a costume and becomes the Phantom, intent on ruining Swan while saving singer Phoenix (Jessica Harper) from a terrible fate.
Director
Brian De Palma
Producer
Edward R. Pressman
Screenwriter
Brian De Palma
Production Co
Harbor Productions, Pressman-Williams Enterprises
Rating
PG
Genre
Musical, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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