An American Werewolf in London
Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 21, 1981 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
55
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
6
Negative:
2
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Slant MagazineBudd Wilkins
The film’s indisputable centerpiece is the protracted werewolf transformation sequence. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
This movie presented a radical melange of genuine horror and self-aware comic touches, not to mention the fabulous Rick Baker special effects. Read full review
80
EmpirePat Reid
Although AWIL's comedy/horror elements aren't always cosy bedfellows, the film retains its original, quirky charm. Great effects for the day, too. Read full review
80
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
A clever mixture of comedy and horror which succeeds in being both funny and scary, An American Werewolf in London possesses an overriding eagerness to please that prevents it from becoming off-putting, and special effects freaks get more than their money's worth. Read full review
80
EmpireKim Newman
Carnivorous lunar activities rarely come any more entertaining than this. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
While Rick Baker's special effects work is remarkable (and won the first competitive Oscar for makeup), Landis seems content to simply showcase it, shooting it in close-ups and bright lighting without any attempt to build any emotion into the sequence. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
The transformation sequences on their own are disturbing enough to upset sensitive viewers (even though the first one doesn't occur until an hour into the 97 minute film, making the first two-thirds of the movie relatively tame, with the exception of a few appearances by Jack, who looks like a "walking meatloaf"). Read full review
More From This Movie

55 Critic Reviews

7.9 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 63 Normal
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL