The Burning (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1981, The Burning is a horror film directed by Tony Maylam, running about 91 minutes. “A legend of terror isn't a campfire story anymore!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A caretaker at a summer camp is burned when a prank goes tragically wrong. After several years of intensive treatment at hospital, he is released back into society, albeit missing some social skills. What follows is a bloody killing spree with the caretaker making his way back to his old stomping ground to confront one of the youths that accidently burned him.
Who’s in it. The Burning stars Brian Matthews as Todd, Leah Ayres as Michelle, Brian Backer as Alfred and Larry Joshua as Glazer, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, The Burning has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and AMC Plus Apple TV Channel . See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Burning page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Burning tend to enjoy Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, The Shining and Alien.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Burning (1981)?
- In US, The Burning is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Burning worth watching?
- The Burning holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy horror. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Burning?
- The Burning stars Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Larry Joshua and Jason Alexander.
- When was The Burning released?
- The Burning was released in 1981, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.