Freaks

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Freaks

1932

1h 4m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

When trapeze artist Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova) learns that circus midget Hans (Harry Earles) has an inheritance, she marries the lovesick, diminutive performer, all the while planning to steal his fortune and run off with her lover, strong man Hercules (Henry Victor). When Hans' friends and fellow performers discover what is going on, they band together and carry out a brutal revenge that leaves Hercules and Cleopatra knowing what it truly means to be a freak.

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Critics Consensus

Time has been kind to this horror legend: Freaks manages to frighten, shock, and even touch viewers in ways that contemporary viewers missed.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Sep 28, 2015

[Boasts] some of the most terrifying scenes ever consigned to film.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Jun 14, 2015

4/5

Browning's sympathies are clear; if there are "freaks" on display here, they are not the versatile performers to whom the title seems to allude.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Jun 8, 2015

5/5

One of the most powerful films ever made about the need for humanity and solidarity in the face of cruelty and oppression.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Nov 7, 2025

3/4

...an erratic endeavor that grows more and more compelling (and involving) as it unfolds...

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Michael Nordine

Film Occasionally

Oct 24, 2023

That such a daring, transgressive film was made by a major studio in the early ‘30s remains a marvel (thanks, Irving Thalberg); that it irreparably harmed the career of its director is disheartening if not surprising.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Oct 17, 2023

Each one, by nature of the period in which they were released and how audiences responded to them, have a legacy that must be explored, mulled over, and come to terms with if cinema is going to tell honest stories without exploitation.

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Luca D

@JoeCamel7 Oct 23, 2026

Very ahead of its time. Not as spooky as people might assume this isn't really a horror film, just a film about freak shows.

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Izzy M

@RT96272407 Oct 20, 2026

Insane movie the pacing is so good and crazy for 1932! Really feels timeless. Blew my mind - one of the most engaging movies I've seen

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Xexla M

@CriticalMahogany Oct 16, 2026

Freaks (1932) This is a Quentin Tarantino level revenge story! The story is incredible, and the source material, character motivations, overarching themes, attitudes, and filmmaking itself are remarkable for the 1930s. The film follows a group of “freaks” who, despite being treated as circus attractions and facing discrimination—even from others within the circus—demonstrate that they can come together, build a strong community, and do good in the face of the hatred they receive. Although the film shows some limitations of its time, particularly in how certain aspects have aged, its powerful story remains just as resonant today. While some of its impact may be diminished by the passage of time, the film still brings each character to life, allowing us to witness their development as we dive deeper into its world. As the story unfolds, we are drawn into a communal narrative that is both profoundly empathetic and deeply affecting. This story will stay with you long after it’s finished!

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Euler N

@RT78607452 Sep 16, 2026

I was afraid to watch this movie and see people being humiliated. But the people who are different are treated with dignity and respect here. It's a short movie that reminds us that inclusion is important, and it was made almost 100 years ago! The plot is very simple, but it's nice to see these people living their lives just as they are: just normal human beings.

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B P

@Bradster69 Sep 9, 2026

Definitely Recommend It

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 3, 2026

Freaks is both entertaining and worthy of 4.5 stars!

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Tod Browning

Director

Wallace Ford

Phroso

Olga Baclanova

Cleopatra

Leila Hyams

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Roscoe Ates

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Harry Earles

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Synopsis

When trapeze artist Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova) learns that circus midget Hans (Harry Earles) has an inheritance, she marries the lovesick, diminutive performer, all the while planning to steal his fortune and run off with her lover, strong man Hercules (Henry Victor). When Hans' friends and fellow performers discover what is going on, they band together and carry out a brutal revenge that leaves Hercules and Cleopatra knowing what it truly means to be a freak.

Director: Tod Browning
Producer: Tod Browning, Dwain Esper, Hildegarde Stadie, Irving Thalberg
Screenwriter: Al Boasberg, Willis Goldbeck, Leon Gordon, Edgar Allan Woolf
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 20, 1932, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2010
Runtime: 1h 4m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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