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Candyman

Play trailer 1:59 Poster for Candyman R 1992 1h 38m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago's Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman's description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.
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Candyman

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Critics Consensus

Though it ultimately sacrifices some mystery in the name of gory thrills, Candyman is a nuanced, effectively chilling tale that benefits from an interesting premise and some fine performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Budd Wilkins Slant Magazine Jun 7, 2022
Candyman explicitly becomes a horror story about the power and fascination of horror stories. Go to Full Review Monica Castillo Bitch Media Jan 13, 2021
Wonderfully playing against expectation, Candyman leaves you wondering where the story will go next, something missing in most horror movies. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Mar 4, 2020
3/4
If Candyman doesn't live up to its potential, it does fulfill most of the Saturday night requirements. The action is swift, if excessively graphic, and Madsen proves a strong-willed, sympathetic lead. Go to Full Review Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk Sep 18, 2025
8/10
...It’s a compelling gothic horror tale told well with the backdrop of nineties urban Chicago. Candyman is an iconic monster, and is one of the best horror movies on the topic of an urban legend. Go to Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views Jun 12, 2024
Todd does not appear until forty-four minutes into the ninety-nine-minute film, he dominates the film and becomes an icon, our twentieth century Dracula. The special effects may not hold up, and the green screen is discernible, but Todd is timeless. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 24, 2023
3/5
Tony Todd's performance and the Philip Glass score set the film apart from similar slashers, but it serves more as an effective compilation of scenes as opposed to an entirely satisfying full-length narrative. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RocketCopter Oct 17, 2026 Honestly a top 3 must-see horror classic See more Alex B @AlexBioni Oct 16, 2026 The Legend of Candyman This is a great movie. The iconic piano and church choir music stands out. Though it borrows from Bloody Mary, the story feels original, exploring trauma, grief, and urban legends. Virginia Madsen is great, and Tony Todd is incredible. The gritty 90s style makes Chicago feel real, showing the poverty and violence of the projects. Investigating Candyman's lore builds tension, and his presence hangs over the film even when he's off screen. The racism behind his legend adds depth, while the bee imagery is horrifying. The scene where bees pour from his mouth is utterly insane. Those bees were real! Based on a Clive Barker short story, this psychological horror keeps you questioning whether Candyman is real or just a legend. The second half gets confusing because the story jumps around so much, making his motives hard to follow. Overall, this is a great movie that I try to watch every October. See more Alyssa D @RT61796684 Oct 13, 2026 I don't have the words to properly convey why this is so good. Just know it is and enjoyable even after multiple watches. See more Julian C @juliancooper_12 Oct 8, 2026 Tony Todd's performance and its social commentary on gentrification is what makes this movie epic See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 5, 2026 The Candyman = a *4* star movie See more Jody C @JodyCazz Aug 28, 2026 Honestly a 90's classic that offers a unique take on the ghostly hookman! Candyman was a part of my childhood as a 90's baby but I never really understood the hype until I finally sat down and watched the whole thing through. It was very well produced, acted, and written. The main villain was sinister and creepy but in a really human way. Very few times do you see a ghost story without the cheesy effects but I truly believe this movie nailed it. Just a great choice for a movie night that ages well even after 30 years. Scare Factor: 5/10. See more Read all reviews
Candyman

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Cast & Crew

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Bernard Rose

Director

Virginia Madsen

Helen Lyle

Tony Todd

Candyman

Xander Berkeley

Trevor Lyle

Kasi Lemmons

Bernadette 'Bernie' Walsh

Vanessa Williams

Anne-Marie McCoy

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Candyman

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Candyman

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Candyman

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Movie Info

Synopsis Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago's Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman's description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.
Director
Bernard Rose
Producer
Steve Golin, Alan Poul, Sigurjon Sighvatsson
Screenwriter
Clive Barker, Bernard Rose
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures
Production Co
Propaganda Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$23.5M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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