Prince of Darkness (1987) movie poster

Prince of Darkness (1987)

"Before man walked the earth...It slept for centuries. It is evil. It is real. It is awakening."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 85%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 56% (RT: 62%, MC: 50) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
Horror

Where to Watch

Rent / Buy
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Director
Runtime
1h 42m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.8/10 (1,122 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
62%
Metacritic
50
Cast
Lisa Blount as Catherine Danforth
Victor Wong as Prof. Howard Birack
Jameson Parker as Brian Marsh
Dennis Dun as Walter
Anne Marie Howard as Susan Cabot
Ann Yen as Lisa
Yes. 85% of real audiences liked it based on 1,122 votes. Critics scored it lower at 56%, but audiences disagreed.
Overview
A priest discovers an ancient canister containing a strange liquid in an abandoned church. When a group of graduate students and scientists are tasked with studying it, they unknowingly unleash an evil force waiting to destroy all of humanity. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • It remains one of the highest-rated horror films of 1987 among dedicated fans.
  • The iconic poster for Prince of Darkness was designed at the very last minute before marketing began.
Audience Consensus

Prince of Darkness is a 1987 horror film directed by John Carpenter. A priest discovers an ancient canister containing a strange liquid in an abandoned church. When a group of graduate students and scientists are tasked with studying it, they unknowingly unleash an evil force waiting to destroy all of humanity.

The film has been rated by 1,122 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a horror film, Prince of Darkness delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences.

Prince of Darkness (1987) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 15,764💬 469 comments
John Carpenter's 'Prince of Darkness' Re-release Poster
Top comment: "John Carpenter knew exactly how to use Donald Pleasence in his movies. Just like in Halloween, the..."
r/horror
⬆ 697💬 145 comments
Any fans of John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness (1987) with Donald Pleasance & Jameson Parker?
This is one of my all-time favorites from Carpenter, my second fave from his Apocalypse Trilogy, this film absolutely terrified me when I first saw... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "I can't quantify why, but those future-dream-transmission sequences terrify me, despite nothing at..."
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