Animal House
Universal Pictures | Release Date: July 28, 1978 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
79
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The movie is vulgar, raunchy, ribald, and occasionally scatological. It is also the funniest comedy since Mel Brooks made "The Producers." Read full review
90
Time Out
An unashamed sense of its own fantasy is coupled with classically mounted slapstick; nostalgia mixes with cynicism in seductive proportions; and John Belushi's central performance as brain-damaged slob-cum-Thief of Baghdad is wonderful. Read full review
88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Robert Martin
Animal House is the sort of film you hate yourself for laughing at. It is so gross and tasteless you feel you should be disgusted but it's hard to be offended by something that is so sidesplittingly funny. [05 Aug 1978]
88
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Rude, rough, tasteless, but often hilarious. Read full review
80
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
National Lampoon's Animal House is by no means one long howl, but it's often very funny, with gags that are effective in a dependable, all-purpose way. Read full review
80
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Steady readers of the National Lampoon may find National Lampoon's Animal House a somewhat soft-pedalled, punches-pulled parody of college campus life circa 1962. However, there's enough bite and bawdiness to provide lots of smiles and several broad guffaws. Read full review
80
EmpireColin Kennedy
From Elmer Bernstein's sweeping dramatic strings - perhaps the first counterpoint score in comedy - to the gleeful mixture of low-brow and lower-brow gags, Animal House is arguably the most influential comedy of our time. Read full review
80
IGNR.L. Shaffer
Much of the film's success is thanks to the delightfully enigmatic cast, and a sharp script that allows for the perfect balance of story and irreverent silliness. There's not a weak link in this cast. Read full review
80
Washington PostGary Arnold
Belushi also controls a wicked array of conspiratorial expressions with the audience. His smoldering pouts, crazed gleams, elevating eyebrows and erotically-contended smiles generate gleeful rabble-rousing excitement. And he can seem irresistibly funny in repose or invest minor slapstick opportunities with a streak of genius. Read full review
80
NewsweekDavid Ansen
If Animal House lacks the inspired tastelessness of the Lampoon's High School Yearbrook Parody, this is still low humor of a high order. [7 Aug 1978, p.85]
70
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
While the low comedy is undeniably effective, the film leaves behind a bad taste of snobbery and petty meanness. Read full review
70
TimeFrank Rich
At its best it perfectly expresses the fears and loathings of kids who came of age in the late '60's; at its worst Animal House revels in abject silliness. The hilarious highs easily compensate for the puerile lows. Read full review
60
The GuardianPeter Bradshaw
A period piece, still reasonably funny. Read full review
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