The Howling (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 1981, The Howling is a horror film directed by Joe Dante, running about 91 minutes. “Imagine your worst fear a reality” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. After a bizarre and near fatal encounter with a serial killer, a newswoman is sent to a rehabilitation center whose inhabitants may not be what they seem.
Who’s in it. The Howling stars Dee Wallace as Karen White, Patrick Macnee as Dr. George Waggner, Dennis Dugan as Chris and Christopher Stone as R. William 'Bill' Neill, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, The Howling has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $18M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, BFI Player Amazon Channel and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Howling page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Howling tend to enjoy Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, The Shining and Alien.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Howling (1981)?
- In US, The Howling is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and BFI Player Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Howling worth watching?
- The Howling holds an audience score of 6.6 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 Howling?
- The Howling stars Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone and Belinda Balaski.
- When was The Howling released?
- The Howling was released in 1981, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.