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The Amityville Horror
The Amityville Horror
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The Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror

1979
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 57m
Newlyweds move into a house where a murder was committed, and experience strange manifestations which drive them away. (imdb)

Directed by:

Stuart Rosenberg

Screenwriter:

Sandor Stern, Jay Anson

Starring:

Amy Wright, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, K.C. Martel, James Brolin, Murray Hamilton, Michael Sacks, John Larch, Helen Shaver, Val Avery, Don Stroud

Franchise:

Amityville

Genres:

Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Horror, Mystery

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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The Amityville Horror

1979
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 57m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 35.92% from 1018 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 21 Apr 2008
70
53rd
FIRST TIME HOME OWNER NIGHTMARE EXPLOITATION FILM
Rated 21 Apr 2008
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 25 Mar 2023
32
9th
I was shocked at how poorly this held up (if it ever did). Rod Steiger’s bits are the best (a prayer to an empty church leaves him blind - he doesn’t even need an audience to careen off the rails) but the rest is empty dialogue masquerading as suspense. It’s too bad I just saw The Shining again, it makes the plagiarism worse.
Rated 25 Mar 2023
ljusbusLjusbus
Rated 11 May 2014
5
32nd
The pacing was off - throughout the beginning it felt mostly slow, which led to an ending too short and too rushed. Additionally, it lacked a sense of urgency and impending doom. I felt like it tried to build it, but didn't do so effectively. This was also hindered, I felt, by the fact that they up to the end tried to live their normal lives, largely ignoring the threat or at least never fully tried to face it or seek help.
Rated 11 May 2014
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 08 Mar 2012
44
14th
Very unsubtle and cheesy, but mostly just boring. Some absolutely bizarre editing choices abound in here, and the melodramatic acting is good for a laugh, but not a scare. Poorly made cash-in.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 24 Dec 2009
70
14th
Not that scary, but okay I guess. I particularly like the scenes of Father Rod Steiger surrounded by flies. God, that man could sweat!
Rated 24 Dec 2009
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 24 Nov 2023
40
28th
A proto-PolterShining, where a family of five moves into a haunted house with their dog, and supernatural shenanigans ensue, as dark influences start to work their magic on the axe wielding dad. Towards the end I was really curious to look up who stole what from whom, but came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter: Both 'Poltergeist' and 'The Shining' are far superior films.
Rated 24 Nov 2023
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 01 Nov 2021
73
63rd
Harry is 'Top 10 Movie Dogs' material easy.
Rated 01 Nov 2021
madmanMadMan
Rated 29 Sep 2020
90
67th
Nice, creepy, and Brolin goes back for the dog which is what I would do, too. 1970s horror rules.
Rated 29 Sep 2020
groovysoulsGroovy_Souls
Rated 02 Apr 2017
50
29th
It's incredibly difficult to rate this, because its the inspiration for so many movies to come, but it's just not that great on its own. Other films have done what this film dreamed of doing. The acting is wooden, the scares are too far in between, and everything else is dated. Kind of boring, honestly.
Rated 02 Apr 2017
spleenspleen
Rated 05 Apr 2014
53
23rd
Creepy premise involving a benevolent entity residing in your home and invoking an evil beyond imagination. I'm of course referring to Margot Kidder. I think there's a haunted house or something in there too.
Rated 05 Apr 2014
edkrakedkrak
Rated 05 Oct 2023
40
19th
The scariest part is when you realize that George had married a woman with three kids.
Rated 05 Oct 2023
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 07 Aug 2018
60
27th
Boy, oh boy, it sucks how you can't rely on professional critics for horror. Especially old works like this that barely get reevaluated. Old codgers complaining a horror movie is too "dreary" and "depressing" does nothing to give you an honest take on The Amityville Horror's quality. Then it ends up just being decent. The Shining would end up taking a lot of its subjects and blowing the lid off both their intensity and subtlety just a year later. Still, it's worth acknowledging which came first.
Rated 07 Aug 2018
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 09 Oct 2012
41
11th
I used to like this movie. But in retrospect, it's pretty... mediocre. If you were to ask me about any single aspect of it, I could probably just respond by saying "it's okay". And that sums up the movie. It's okay. It's not scary or particularly interesting. But it's not terribly made.
Rated 09 Oct 2012
overratedoverrated
Rated 05 Oct 2011
20
12th
Boring as shit until the last ten minutes, when it becomes ridiculous rather than scary. The fact that it's based on a hoax profiting off a real tragedy just soured me on the incompetence even more.
Rated 05 Oct 2011
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 28 Apr 2009
66
23rd
It's okay but it moves so slowly with no real scares. Probably like the real legend.
Rated 28 Apr 2009
imthatdingoImThatDingo
Rated 08 Jan 2009
43
43rd
Holy shit, James Brolin! ::drools:: Pretty weak, though. Not scary at all.
Rated 08 Jan 2009
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 23 Oct 2024
61
13th
This film starts really slow and it takes a long time to get going. the film doesn't seem scary for most of it, the material is certainly dated. Overall this movie is disappointing.
Rated 23 Oct 2024
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 11 Sep 2024
48
32nd
Ends up being rather stupid and boring despite a fine beginning.
Rated 11 Sep 2024
redflagredflag
Rated 14 Oct 2023
90
56th
Apparently the granddaddy of all modern haunted house tales; even Kubrick it seems took notes! The film's strengths lie in doing a lot with very little. It becomes a slog with too much family filler, dated dialogue, and meh acting, though. I also enjoyed the rare ending where everyone survives.
Rated 14 Oct 2023
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 04 Mar 2023
75
42nd
It's tough for me to grade this since I'm already familiar with the story; have seen several clips before; and - I'm guessing - this started some tropes that are now cliches? (Poltergeist had similar ending.) Presumably I am very aware of this film because it was good enough to be popular at the time? The pacing is also older and a bit slower. As a result it often feels pretty predictable. Still on a technical level, it seems competent enough in terms of performances, writing and directing.
Rated 04 Mar 2023
gabrielpGabriel_p
Rated 15 Oct 2022
75
56th
With the exception of the abrupt ending and the priest subplot (which adds nothing and could be removed entirely), this is a great haunted house movie. Elements from this movie could be said to have been borrowed by Poltergeist and even The Shining.
Rated 15 Oct 2022
nuotionuotio
Rated 05 Jul 2021
51
36th
I had seen this a couple of times on VHS but I only remembered it being a bit slow, and really hoped that it would improve on rewatch, but sadly no. It’s way too long at 2hrs. Kidder & Brolin are solid, the house looks eerie and some scenes are effectively done, but the structure & script are a mess - there are threads that never go anywhere, totally useless characters, backstory that is not explored and It all ends with a whimper. Nowhere near the top of 70’s horror with Exorcist, Omen, etc
Rated 05 Jul 2021
pianosamaPianoSama
Rated 23 Jul 2020
65
45th
Kidder & Brolin are easily the best things about this, beyond the actual house itself- which is still one of the eeriest visuals in horror history for my money. While it might have been a lot more thrilling & chilling in 1979 & has earned classic status for a reason, it really hasn't held up too well. The writing isn't great, the runtime is way too long, & the pacing is ice cold the whole way through. And then, after all that, it just...ends. It's worth seeing once, but maybe not twice.
Rated 23 Jul 2020
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 18 Jun 2020
10
0th
it sucks.
Rated 18 Jun 2020
iamdwgIamdwg
Rated 06 May 2019
46
6th
The best thing about this film is pretty much what's it's based on. I love the history of the house, which isn't really delved into, which is a shame, because the real murders that happened there have unsolved mysteries to this day. The Lutz and their story is fine, but scares in '79 aren't as scary now. The house...the house is very, very iconic though. I'm pretty sure just the look of the house is what spawned so many other movies.
Rated 06 May 2019
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 19 Jan 2019
59
24th
To be honest its a bit of a bore, the cast is pretty good though.
Rated 19 Jan 2019
damildamil
Rated 21 Mar 2018
50
25th
Unfortunately, I didn't respond much to this one. It was okay, and it had its moments, but I didn't really like it. I can see why they remade it, as it does feel a little dated, and there were some odd choices in direction and editing. It had some nice atmosphere, and a couple of cool pieces of imagery, but overall, I found it to be anticlimactic and underwhelming. There are simply a bunch of other better haunted house movies.
Rated 21 Mar 2018
darrenDarren
Rated 22 Oct 2015
35
11th
A couple of choice sequences but mainly dull and lifeless. Last 20 or so minutes are kind of fun.
Rated 22 Oct 2015
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 16 Oct 2015
2
10th
Wow, what a boring movie. Atmosphere of this onedoes nothing for me and what else does this movie have but atmosphere? Pass
Rated 16 Oct 2015
hotsakehotsake
Rated 10 Oct 2015
60
51st
Not sure what all the fuss is about with this movie, I mean it's not bad It's just not great either. Margot Kidder does well, most of the other actors over act like crazy but luckily James Brolin counter balances them by being as one dimensional as possible. The film is slow but rewards the view with a growing sense of dread. It's kind interesting how much newer films scenes and ideas from this.
Rated 10 Oct 2015
hakkanarejohakkanarejo
Rated 12 Sep 2015
90
39th
Chiller about a family who is terrorized by supernatural forces when they move into a new house in New York State which was the scene of a recent mass killing and the home of an 18th-century satanist. When swarms of flies appear from nowhere and the pipes and walls begin to ooze slime and blood, they call on a local priest to exorcise the evil spirits.
Rated 12 Sep 2015
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 26 Dec 2014
47
22nd
Esqueci de marcar.
Rated 26 Dec 2014
untrustableuntrustable
Rated 30 Sep 2014
75
52nd
True story I thought James brolin and josh brolin were the same guy and that James brolin just aged super well.
Rated 30 Sep 2014
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 17 Aug 2013
40
7th
You know I had a feeling this wasn't going to be good, but why the hell I didn't listen to my instincts I have no idea. At least Rod Steiger is fun to watch as a priest.
Rated 17 Aug 2013
bofbof
Rated 17 Mar 2013
62
45th
Great suspense, even if the "Exorcist"-inspired focus on catholicism feels overdone. Let down by the ending.
Rated 17 Mar 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 07 Jan 2013
62
25th
61.500
Rated 07 Jan 2013
adamj1982adamj1982
Rated 25 Nov 2012
48
16th
Ok. Another one that is way more effective when you are a kid.
Rated 25 Nov 2012
actlikealadyactlikealady
Rated 19 Nov 2012
60
33rd
Okay movie. Eh. James Brolin is hot.
Rated 19 Nov 2012
indifferentiindifferenti
Rated 26 May 2012
5
10th
Although much better than the more recent remake, the original Amityville still feels a little flat. Recommended only for diehard horror fans who enjoy concept more than characterization.
Rated 26 May 2012
coffeyCoffey
Rated 07 Apr 2012
85
90th
One of my all-time favorite horror movies. Still holds up surprisingly well.
Rated 07 Apr 2012
jordandcfcJordanDcFc
Rated 31 Jan 2012
50
14th
The most boring horror film I've seen yet. About four moments of genuine terror and then looooooong periods of "oh no! what's happening? Where is the vicar? Oh no!" Score was good. Acting was poor.
Rated 31 Jan 2012
paxtonPaxton
Rated 25 Jan 2012
51
23rd
Not very scary as I remember it, which is too bad because scary houses are the lifeblood of horror movies.
Rated 25 Jan 2012
calabriaCalabria
Rated 06 Dec 2011
83
71st
The music added 10 points onto my grade.
Rated 06 Dec 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 17 Oct 2011
20
41st
"Moronic." - Nick Schager
Rated 17 Oct 2011
kramyessevKramYessev
Rated 17 Sep 2011
58
37th
Ghost Pig.
Rated 17 Sep 2011
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 23 Jun 2011
24
18th
I always remembered that this was a scary movie. Maybe I was a kid when I saw it, but now I realized how dated and badly it was done. The haunting house must been a new thing for me those days. Nowadays it very used theme.
Rated 23 Jun 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 22 May 2011
39
6th
Eh, it's alright. I used to like "The Amityville Horror" a lot more, but after re-watching it I see that it's just alright. It has some creepy moments and a cool story, but it just doesn't leave a very good impression. It has its moments.
Rated 22 May 2011
caimancaiman
Rated 02 Feb 2011
60
23rd
I found this exceptionally bland. The fact that it's based on a true story is supposed to make it interesting, but since the "true" story is complete bullshit, all we're left with is the blandness.
Rated 02 Feb 2011
eyebroweyebrow
Rated 14 Mar 2010
65
24th
Decent enough old thriller. Some great scenes, like the priest and the flies. The acting is generally pretty second-rate though
Rated 14 Mar 2010
glmglm
Rated 12 Mar 2010
48
13th
48.250
Rated 12 Mar 2010
mlpgaffneymlpgaffney
Rated 16 Sep 2009
72
34th
This scared the living crap out of me when I was 6 (thanks, Dad, for scarring me for life at such a young age)!
Rated 16 Sep 2009
snakefood89SNAKEFOOD89
Rated 14 Apr 2009
70
9th
Boring as fuck.. And I'm sorry but it's not scary. Remake was better - gotta love those cheap scares and Ryan Reynolds getting doused in blood.
Rated 14 Apr 2009
lovelyricha1lovelyricha1
Rated 09 Apr 2009
80
74th
all the controversy over whether this one really is a true story or not aside-this was the 2nd movie after 'exorcist' wich made me look over my shoulders every time i was alone nd shudder at any movement made by de tree outside my bedroom window..spooky!
Rated 09 Apr 2009
eyeforfilmeyeforfilm
Rated 31 Mar 2009
35
54th
"...25 years later, it has lost little of its power to shock and disturb."
Rated 31 Mar 2009
moviesinhellmoviesinhell
Rated 25 Mar 2009
50
7th
Rosenberg assembles a familiar, overblown but marginally watchable schlock shocker.
Rated 25 Mar 2009
cultofsamecult_of_same
Rated 04 Mar 2009
60
72nd
Great film, there was no need to remake it...yes I know it was all a publicity stunt.
Rated 04 Mar 2009
guttiwutsGuttiwuts
Rated 03 Mar 2009
67
5th
This was actually pretty bad, but shit I enjoyed it, and Brolin is entertaining. The voice that gives the priest the boot is pretty cool. Still, if you want to watch a good film about a man being influenced to violence among his kin, try The Shining. It is the best of it's kind. Also, if you're a fan of Amityville, do a bit of research on the family that stayed in that supposed haunted house. Interesting accounts if you're into the ghoullie shit.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
aaaaaaarrgggaaaaaaarrggg
Rated 02 Mar 2009
57
46th
Moderately effective but overly episodic. There are some tense scenes and Kidder is sympathetic, but this is undone by the excessive hamming of Brolin and Steiger and an incredibly anticlimactic ending.
Rated 02 Mar 2009
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 10 Feb 2009
65
72nd
A great Horror flick. Things happen for no other reason than to scare you. Its only faults are the fact that it is heavily dated.
Rated 10 Feb 2009
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 01 Nov 2008
61
16th
Quite fun in a kitsch sort of way.
Rated 01 Nov 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 09 Aug 2008
55
58th
okay movie
Rated 09 Aug 2008
jebJeb
Rated 04 Aug 2008
35
20th
Watch the remake.
Rated 04 Aug 2008
sophiesophie
Rated 09 Apr 2008
70
56th
I can't tell why, but I think this film is creepy.
Rated 09 Apr 2008
wcnitzwcnitz
Rated 08 Mar 2008
76
38th
Scary and engrossing. Does a good job of building suspense throughout.
Rated 08 Mar 2008
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 20 Jan 2008
62
34th
The movie has some creepy moments I suppose, but it ought to be more effective than it is.
Rated 20 Jan 2008
dustydDustyd
Rated 17 Sep 2007
65
49th
uneven, cheap, but creepy
Rated 17 Sep 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 24 Aug 2007
78
77th
Very Good
Rated 24 Aug 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
19th
Decent horror.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gleebgleeb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
12
1st
Extra points have been taken off for the whole thing having been a fraud.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sanjurosanjuro
Rated 14 Aug 2007
25
10th
More like \"The Amityville Borer.\"
Rated 14 Aug 2007
infinitezeroInfiniteZero
Rated 09 May 2007
46
5th
This is considered a classic in some respects, but it isn't really a very good film. The sequel is overlooked and actually far better.
Rated 09 May 2007
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 13 Feb 2007
31
3rd
The tagline, and one of the lines from the movie, implores famously, "For God's sake, get out!" I can't think of a more fitting phrase to start the film with for any audience sitting in a theater or living room where this overrated, ineptly produced bore is showing.
Rated 13 Feb 2007

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