When a Stranger Calls (1979): cast, story & where to watch
1979 · Film · ★ 6.1
Released in 1979, When a Stranger Calls is a thriller, drama, crime and horror film directed by Fred Walton, running about 97 minutes. “...Fear is the Message!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.
Who’s in it. When a Stranger Calls stars Carol Kane as Jill Johnson, Charles Durning as John Clifford, Colleen Dewhurst as Tracy and Tony Beckley as Curt Duncan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.1/10, When a Stranger Calls has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $25M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo and Shudder and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch When a Stranger Calls page.
If you liked it. Fans of When a Stranger Calls tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch When a Stranger Calls (1979)?
- In US, When a Stranger Calls is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Philo, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is When a Stranger Calls worth watching?
- When a Stranger Calls holds an audience score of 6.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama, crime and horror. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in When a Stranger Calls?
- When a Stranger Calls stars Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Colleen Dewhurst, Tony Beckley and Rutanya Alda.
- When was When a Stranger Calls released?
- When a Stranger Calls was released in 1979, with a runtime of about 97 minutes.