‎An American Werewolf in London (1981) directed by John Landis • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

An American Werewolf in London

1981 Directed by John Landis

Beware the Moon.

Two American tourists in England are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.

David Naughton Jenny Agutter Griffin Dunne John Woodvine Brian Glover Lila Kaye David Schofield Paul Kember Frank Oz Don McKillop Joe Belcher Rik Mayall Sean Baker Paddy Ryan Anne-Marie Davies Colin Fernandes Albert Moses Jim Henson Michele Brisigotti Mark Fisher Gordon Sterne Paula Jacobs Claudine Bowyer Johanna Crayden Nina Carter Geoffrey Burridge Brenda Cavendish Christopher Scoular Mary Tempest Show All…

97 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Arielrocks5 ★★★★★ 17

When viewing Landis' horror comedy for the first time, I admired a lot of his ambitions and use of practical effects but the film never struck me as something that left as much of an impact on me with a revisit.

Now one year later, I stand corrected.

The most appreciation I've gained about "An American Werewolf in London" after this viewing is how incredibly blunt it is with its main intentions. Everything about it is simple and to the point, almost to the point of being too thin for some, but strikes a level of clean cut filmmaking that most are too afraid to attempt.

See, most would probably assume that making a simple movie is the same as…
Review by Lucy ★★★★

"A NAKED AMERICAN MAN STOLE MY BALLOONS"
Review by Mark Mooney ★★★★★ 2

John Landis' horror comedy is probably the best werewolf movie ever made with a fantastic transformation sequence that still holds up to this day it looks and feels painful, a true landmark moment. A true classic of the genre.
Review by Naughty aka Juli Norwood ★★★★★ 11

Director John Landis's An American Werewolf in London hits the sweet spot time and time again! The film continues to resonate with me after 34 years and I find that simply incredible!

I attribute it to the comedic yet endearing onscreen budship between David Kessler (David Naughton) and Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne)! The special effects team that made the jaw dropping Werewolf transformation scene possible! Great gore effects and exceptional make up and costumes! John Landis's ability to maintain a wonderful balance between horror and comedy! Fast paced, clever script geared to adults not to children with a killer soundtrack!

Speaking of the soundtrack whenever I hear Bad Moon rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival or Bobby Vinton's Blue Moon I can't help but think fond thoughts about this film!
Review by Hollie Horror ★★★★★ 18

Ha! I had An American Werewolf in London rated 4-stars! What an amateur! This is a 5-star film and the best werewolf film I have ever seen. I know a lot of people save such a proclamation for The Howling, but I ain't most people.

The power John Landis' movie has is so strong, it makes David Naughton not only tolerable, but likable! Now THAT's good direction.
Review by CJ Probst ★★★★½ 26

I’ll start by apologizing for this not being another Resident Evil review. I know they were enthralling but I didn’t want to overwhelm anyone, I’m sure you’ll understand. That being said, let’s talk a little about a good movie. An American Werewolf in London is one of my favorite horror films, scratch that…..films. As far as I know it basically birthed the modern horror/comedy genre in tandem with The Evil Dead which was also released the same year. The latter, along with its sequels seemed to amass more of a cult following over the years whereas this one seems to be a tad overlooked. Boy do I love it.

When trying for something of this nature, it is often difficult…

Recent reviews

Review by Lee Anthony ★★★★★

Wow talk about a movie which scared the crap out of me growing up.

This is directed by John Landis and is up there with my favourite werewolf movies of all time.
Its a cult classic movie , it has the scares, some wicked black humour , Gore and the werewolf transformation scene is the best ever put to film by Rick baker.
The setting is perfect in the opening twenty minutes alone the Yorkshire Moors and has such a feeling of dread and still has me on the edge of my seat to this day.
I would argue this is director John Landis best work and i know he did ( Coming to America, Trading Places and The Blues…
Review by Chris ★★★★

☐ Loved It
☒ Enjoyed
☐ Meh
☐ Never Again
Review by SamEssame ★★★

It hasn’t aged especially well; the structure’s pretty basic and the pacing’s odd but it’s still thoroughly enjoyable and completely deserving of the Oscar for Best Make-up.
Review by sophie_hobby18 ★★★★★

Cause of that Super Wolf Blood Moon thing, I just saw it as another excuse to rewatch this movie. 🥂
Review by DavidObscure ★★★★★

Part of the classic horror and sci fi moviemarathon: year 1981
Started this on the wrong year but will begin next week from 1971.

This one still remains one of the best horror/comedies out there. Great practicall effects etc everything is there to make it feel as a complete movie. John Landis natural feel for comedy really stands out, great stuff! The climax has to be seen to be believed, total chaos!
Review by Nina Dameron ★★★★★

The best way to celebrate the Super Moon, Blood Moon and Moon Eclipse.
Review by benjaminjames_ ★★½

I think maybe in a few years I'll come to appreciate this more. The make up is all awesome, not only for its time but it holds up so well. I also certainly wasn't bored whilst watching.
When the wolf broke out of the theatre it had me literally creasing I'm not sure if that was the intention but holy shit everyone was getting NAILED
Review by Mikel Koven ★★★★★

Still one of my all-time favourite films. 😍
Review by Gabe ★★★★

Comedy/Horror is my favorite kind of horror, and AAWIL skirts the line perfectly. I'm sad that I didn't see this earlier when the wolf and wolf changing sequences would have been more convincing. The eviscerations were still choice.