SummaryA teenager discovers that the newcomer in his neighborhood is a vampire, so he turns to an actor in a television horror show for help dealing with the undead.
Directed By:Tom Holland
Written By:Tom Holland
Fright Night
Metascore
Generally Favorable
62
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
62
69% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
23% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
88
What makes Fright Night such a hoot to this day, on top of the great performances, is the deft blending of humor and suspense that Holland manages to build in his story.
75
Fright Night is not a distinguished movie, but it has a lot of fun being undistinguished.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
69% Positive
43 Ratings
43 Ratings
26% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
5% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Jun 4, 2024
10
10/10 smash. It says I need at least 75 characters to write a review so I am just going to tap for a little while… The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the **** hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid **** has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public **** has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to **** has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants **** has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his **** has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the **** has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions **** has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of **** has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary **** has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their **** has erected
Dec 6, 2023
10
This vampire film belongs in the canon of all-time best thrillers for its originality, writing, acting, dark humor, production values, and a whole lot more.
75
Directed by Tom Holland, who serves up the oldest horror-yarn clich'es with a straight face, keeping the action good-natured and even humorous until the gory climax.
70
Director Tom Holland keeps the picture wonderfully simple and entirely believable (once the existence of vampires is accepted, of course).
63
The movie is bloody and gruesome and quite harmless, just the way they made them "in the good old days." [02 Aug 1985, p.C7]
50
Fright Night is really "Fright Lite," a film promising more than it delivers, and even that delivery is so late in the game that you may want to arrive fashionably late and skip what passes for plot development and concentrate on Richard Edlund's special effects. [05 Aug 1985, p.B3]
38
Some of the special effects are chilling, but Fright Night lacks depth, wit and humor, and hence is neither absorbing, intelligent, nor funny. [08 Aug 1985]
Mar 28, 2022
10
I love movies of all genres, and Fright Night was an example of a movie that I watched many times as a 14 year old and loved every minute of it. At 19 I revisited it once hearing of its remake, and it is every bit as good as I remembered, in fact it is one fangtastic(pardon the pun) movie. The film still looks great, with atmospheric costumes(great authentic fashions!), sets and lighting with skilled cinematography, cool make-up and impressive(even for now) effects. The score gives its film its perfect sense of quirkiness and creepiness. The story is straightforward admittedly, but also very well paced and compelling, and the script has the odd scary moment but is very wickedly funny. The acting is great, William Ragsdale and Amanda Bearse appeal, and Roddy McDowell is magnificent but it is Chris Sarandon's funny, creepy and very sexy performance that makes Fright Night such a delight. All in all, a true delight. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Sep 18, 2020
10
"Welcome to Fright Night", my favorite horror film that has one scene in it like The Wizard of Oz and Raiders of the Lost Ark: A vampire that melts! Fright Night remains an important piece of my "melt" movies library, as well as a permanent addition to my library of digital purchase streaming content!!!
Oct 9, 2022
6
An interesting blend of horror and humour fright night has a superb cast and the production value is excellent with some memorable visual effects (for its day!). Sadly the pacing and tone are very scrappy shifting from humour to horror too fast removing the tension from some of the earlier threats. However as things ramp up towards the end the pacing goes out the window with characters going round and round the same set like an episode of scooby doo. The soundtrack is very good. Some great 80's horror cheese to be found here! Got some strong Buffy the vampire slayer vibes from this one.
May 30, 2022
6
I have a real soft spot in my heart for "Fright Night". When I was a teen I absolutely adored vampire movies, and this one just really surprised me as a teen with its self aware take on the genre. Now a days I can see the flaws with a few long sections where the plot really slows down, but there were some really nice creature effects for the era. If you really like vampire tales, you might find something to enjoy here, but I admit that the movie is not going to be a winner for everyone. I give it a C, if you've already seen the best, but you insist on watching a movie, try this one out.
Aug 4, 2025
5
Dissapointed at his supposed cult classic, the story is rather epic but rather a chore to get through, the remake is a better film.
Production Company:
- Columbia Pictures
- Vistar Films
- Columbia Pictures Industries
- Delphi IV Productions
Release Date:Aug 2, 1985
Duration:1 h 46 m
Rating:R
Tagline:There are some very good reasons to be afraid...of the dark.
Awards
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Wins & 6 Nominations
Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Fantasporto
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations












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