Swamp Thing

Play trailer

1:29

Swamp Thing

PG

1982

1h 31m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

On the verge of a breakthrough in his quest to wipe out world hunger, altruistic botanist Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise) is placed under the protection of special government agent Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau). Mad outlaw scientist Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan) wants to steal Holland's research for his own nefarious ends, but an unforeseen accident during the heist turns Holland into the Swamp Thing, an enormous plant-like creature that fights back against Arcane's henchmen to save Cable.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Unabashedly campy -- often to its detriment -- Swamp Thing is not without its charms, among them Adrienne Barbeau as the damsel in distress.

Read Critics Reviews

John Stanley

San Francisco Chronicle

Sep 18, 2025

3/4

If anyone saves Wes Craven's outrageously campy adaptation of the comic-book monster hero... it's Adrienne Barbeau.

Go to Full Review

Alex Keneas

Newsday

Nov 11, 2021

1/4

It's a commando-style action adventure. But its idea of excitement a to be Adrienne Barbeau continually shouting for help while the Swamp Thing slowly turns 90 degrees to catch her direction.

Go to Full Review

Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

Aug 6, 2013

3/5

Swamp Thing has many dubious qualities, but it clearly isn't a piece of product tested and polished to a blinding gleam, and the world is duller for not letting oddball efforts like this slip into theaters once in a while.

Go to Full Review

Nairon Santos de Morais

Loud and Clear Reviews

May 29, 2025

3.5/5

Swamp Thing is Wes Craven’s love letter to the classic rubber-suit monster movies in the form of a campy and colorful superhero movie.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jul 31, 2023

2.5/4

It remains one of Wes Craven's most entertaining and least pretentious outings.

Go to Full Review

Alan Jones

Starburst

Jul 28, 2022

Swamp Thing contains some of the most banal lines heard in years and its non-existent characterization renders any intended pathos pathetic.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Gunner I

@RT64755212 13 hrs ago

This isn't a bad movie, it's just a bit cheesy. Not exactly Wes Craven's best work, but I'll take it. Definitely entertaining.

See more

Ari V

@RT59419633 1 day ago

One of the closest examples of 'it's so bad it's decent' for me. Something just very genuinely fun about it all in all.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad 1 day ago

Swamp Thing is a 2.5 star Movie!

See more

Max M

@Househuntermax Oct 4, 2026

Maybe it’s just nostalgia as I saw this movie three times in the theater as a kid. I think it holds up OK though. Necessary viewing for any 80s catalog. Highly recommend.

See more

Joaquin U

@Joaquin1 Aug 19, 2026

Somewhat entertaining, but most of the praise seems tied to Barbeau’s revealing outfits—or lack thereof. That’s fine, but the rest is pure cringe. It plays like an episode of The Incredible Hulk stripped of both the incredible and the Hulk. Nostalgia clearly props up its star ratings. The cast is odd and mostly subpar, with terrible acting across the board. The script is dumb, the direction should’ve ended Craven’s career, and the dated effects, awful makeup, and cheap costumes turn this comic book adaptation into a disgrace. Still, there’s a bit of absurd ’80s charm, and Jourdan’s sophisticated villain adds a touch of fun, but this is strictly late‑night, insomniac viewing.

See more

Master B

@Sabredork Jul 19, 2026

Classic 80s movie. Wes Craven never disappoints

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Wes Craven

Director

Louis Jourdan

Dr. Anton Arcane

Adrienne Barbeau

Alice Cable

Ray Wise

Doctor Alec Holland

David Hess

Ferret

Nicholas Worth

Bruno

Prophecy

35%

36%

Prophecy

Watchlist

Kingdom of the Spiders

55%

37%

Kingdom of the Spiders

Watchlist

Sssssss

30%

25%

Sssssss

Watchlist

The Food of the Gods

18%

25%

The Food of the Gods

Watchlist

Flash Gordon

83%

69%

Flash Gordon

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New 4K UHD Movies in August 2023: Upcoming 4K Releases on Blu-ray

Rank Every DC Superhero Movie!

Wes Craven: 1939-2015

Swamp Thing: Trailer 1

1:29

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

On the verge of a breakthrough in his quest to wipe out world hunger, altruistic botanist Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise) is placed under the protection of special government agent Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau). Mad outlaw scientist Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan) wants to steal Holland's research for his own nefarious ends, but an unforeseen accident during the heist turns Holland into the Swamp Thing, an enormous plant-like creature that fights back against Arcane's henchmen to save Cable.

Director: Wes Craven
Producer: Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan
Screenwriter: Wes Craven
Production Co: Swampfilms
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 4, 2014
Runtime: 1h 31m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings