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

Alternative Titles

Um Lobisomem Americano em Londres, 狼男アメリカン, ookamiotoko american, Un hombre lobo americano en Londres, Un Hombre Lobo Americano En Londres, Ένας Αμερικανός λυκάνθρωπος στο Λονδίνο, Американський перевертень у Лондоні, Varulven i London, Amerikkalainen ihmissusi Lontoossa, Un vârcolac american la Londra, En amerikansk varulv i London, Американский оборотень в Лондоне, Enas Amerikanos lykanthropos sto Londino, Egy amerikai farkasember Londonban, Kurt adam Londra'da, Hombre lobo americano, 美國狼人在倫敦, Le loup-garou de Londres, Un lupo mannaro americano a Londra, American Werewolf - Fürchte den Mond, Американски върколак в Лондон, Enas lykanthropos sto Londino, Amerykanski wilkolak w Londynie, Ihmissusi Lontoossa, American Werewolf, Američki vukodlak u Londonu, El hombre lobo en Londres, American Werewolf in London, An

horror

97 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Lucy ★★★★ 1

"A NAKED AMERICAN MAN STOLE MY BALLOONS"
Review by Mark Mooney ★★★★★ 5

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 Coolnilk ★★★★½ 3

Inarguably the most finest werewolf film ever made in cinematic history, John Landis' An American Werewolf in London nearly four decades on still manages to both entertain and frighten in sharp ways not many other horror-comedies of similar variety can usually do.
This film rather especially blends both the humor and horror to a near-flawless degree, with the charmful figures of David Naughton and Griffin Dunne adequately providing the laughs from the start, and needless to say, the werewolf itself is the overall renowned and leading factor here to boastfully bring in the scares throughout which indeed works just about entirely due to the remarkable practical make-up effects on the titular creature itself that was masterfully done by Rick Baker.…
Review by matt lynch ★★★★½

bom ba ba bom ba bom ba bom bom ba ba bom ba ba bom ba danga dang dang ba dinga dong ding
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 Adam Cook ★★★ 21

An American Werewolf in London is a film that scarred me for many years after watching the horrifying transformation sequence as an impressionable five-year old. So traumatic was the experience that I couldn’t watch anything with a werewolf in it until my late teens. When I had finally plucked up the courage to finally sit down and view the entire film I was surprised to find a movie that was as blackly humorous as it was frightening, a rare achievement as most horror-comedy films normally struggle to balance the chuckles with the chills.
My last viewing was about ten years ago and unfortunately this latest rewatch did not hold up as well as I had expected. The film still excels…
Review by Ian West ★★★★½ 2

After watching An American Werewolf in Paris I needed to cleanse myself with the murky, fog shrouded, spooky train station, manic car pile up, perfect balance of terror/comedy that is American Werewolf in London. One of those movies I saw later in life that I barely revisit so I can savor how genuinely funny I find this movie to be.
I’m not really the biggest John Landis fan but I do love this movie
Review by Madison 🎭 ★★★★ 1

"y'all hear sumn?"
-the men in the pub when american tourists are being eaten
Review by CJ Probst ★★★★½ 23

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…
Review by rudi ✨ ★★★★

best transformation was seeing
“I will not be threatened by a walking meatloaf!”
turn into
“I didn't mean to call you a meat loaf, Jack!”
that’s what we call character development ladies!!
Review by liam f ★★★

why have only one version of Blue Moon in your film when you can have three instead
Review by Travis Lytle ★★★★ 8

Known for its sly sense of humor and Rick Baker's fantastic creature design and effects, John Landis's "An American Werewolf in London" is a horror film that is, at least, superficially pleasing. There is not a lot lurking beneath its narrative surface, but it is a fun, violent, and appealing genre outing, nonetheless.
Its story is rather simple. While visiting the United Kingdom, two Americans are attacked on the moors. One of the young men dies, while the other becomes a werewolf. The dead friend returns as the conscience who tries to convince the werewolf to take his own life before he hurts those he loves.
While the narrative is decidedly straightforward, its plainness punctuated with neatly nasty dream sequences…

Recent reviews

Review by Tom Haracz ★★★★

Not particularly scary, but still a great balance of scares and humor. The transformation scene is particularly effective and even though the movie repeatedly tells you there’s only one way this can end, I was still somewhat surprised when it did end that way. Also, incredible music choices, including I believe 3 different versions of Blue Moon
Review by Matt ★★★½

I just want to start by saying that Jenny Agutter was done so dirty here - a nothing part that forces the love interest angle on her, including really unnecessary nude/sex scenes. So that was bad. I was pretty iffy on David Naughton's performance too, but there's enough humor that worked for me, so I'll let him off easy. The best part of this is easily the cheerily upbeat undead Griffin Dunne, in his progressive states of decay - with Rick Baker a much deserved winner of the inaugural Oscar for makeup. I wish the writing was a bit better, but I can see how this film could be highly impressionable on, say, a young Edgar Wright.
Review by Alex Pelechowicz ★★★★½

“Life mocks me even in death.”
The transformation scene and the laughs make for a fun watch. Wish every town had a pub named The Slaughtered Lamb.
Review by Cobus15 ★★★★ 1

They made the Makeup category for this movie (basically) and then have barely ever rewarded a horror movie ever since them, what the HELL! This movie's awesome. I really liked the progression, the editing was really great and terrifies you when it needs to. The transformation scenes and especially the zombie make up are all fantastic and hold up really well.
I really liked our main trio for the most part, but I do think that they are the weakest part of the movie. The general plot is interesting, but they aren't and it kinda holds it back just a bit. I also think that this movie kinda dips off near the end, but they pick it up at light speed, reminding me of the latest horror movies I've been seeing recently (but that's just cause of the music). It's also pretty funny, so that helps. it's just a good time!
Review by izzys226 ★★★½

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Too bad the cute one got killed in the first 10 mins
Review by lana ★★★½

“can i have some toast?”
“get the fuck out of here, jack”
Review by Stephen Higham ★★★★

The fact that every song in the soundtrack has the word Moon in it is rather grating but other than that it’s an assured, wacky horror comedy which reminds me of other British cult countryside movies like Withnail and I and Local Hero.
Review by Eli ★★★★

I don’t trust anyone who thinks this isn’t one of the best horror comedies ever made.
Review by Bernie🐸 ★★★★½

If a sexy nurse spoon fed me, I too would become a moonlit monstrous beast
Review by gumpy ★★½

i despise the main character of this movie
Review by thiao ★★★★★

Cinema puro!
Review by TimWords ★★★★½

Ah-hooo, (American) werewolves of London.