Summary
After receiving an exotic small animal as a Christmas gift, a young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet, which unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures on a small town.
Good for
- Date night
- Friends night
- Party vibe
Skip it if
- Graphic violence bothers you
Where to watch
Fingerprint
At a glance
Critics vs audiences
Critics and audiences agree
Critics 78Audiences 74GoodWatch 76
Tomatometer86%
Metascore70
Audience score78%
IMDb7.3
Letterboxd · 711 K ratings3.6/5
User score7.3
Box office
15×its budget
- Budget
- $11 M
- Worldwide
- $165 M
Worldwide it earned $154 M more than it cost.
Running time
1 h 46 min
A typical length for fantasy movies, +6 min on the typical 100
typical 100106Half of all fantasy movies run 91–114 min.
Reach
Streams in 69 countries, rent or buy in 36 more
+59Released
1984
June 8, 1984
42 years ago
Genres
FantasyHorrorComedyLanguage
English
Original language
Also spoken
SpanishMade in
United States
Rated
- PGUnited States
Not for young kids: it's rated PG in the United States for violence and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.
What's in it
- ViolenceModerate
- Gore, disturbing imagesStrong
- Frightening scenesModerate
- Sex, nudityLittle or none
- Dark themesMild
In white: what the content advisories name. Levels from the title analysis.
Viewing guide
AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchPure EscapismNot listed for kids or family movie night.
and 45 more55 people
- Zach GalliganBilly
- Phoebe CatesKate
- Hoyt AxtonRand Peltzer
- Frances Lee McCainLynn Peltzer
- Corey FeldmanPete
- Keye LukeGrandfather
- John LouieChinese Boy
- Dick MillerMr. Futterman
Jackie JosephSheila Futterman
Polly HollidayMrs. Deagle
Judge ReinholdGerald
Edward AndrewsMr. Corben
Belinda BalaskiMrs. Harris
Scott BradySheriff Frank- SBSusan BurgessLittle Girl
Harry Carey Jr.Mr. Anderson
Donald ElsonMan on Street
Jonathan BanksDeputy Brent
Glynn TurmanRoy Hanson
Chuck JonesMr. Jones- AMArnie MoorePete's Father
- DLDanny LlewelynHungry Child
Lois ForakerBank Teller
Kenny DavisDorry
Directing · 4
- Joe Dante Director
- James Quinn First Assistant Director
- Carol Green Second Assistant Director
- Kenneth Gilbert Script Supervisor
Writing · 1
- Chris Columbus Writer
Production · 7
- Steven Spielberg Executive Producer, Presenter
- Kathleen Kennedy Executive Producer
- Frank Marshall Executive Producer
- Michael Finnell Producer
- Susan Arnold Casting
- Phil Rawlins Unit Production Manager
Camera · 8
- John Hora Director of Photography
- Ralph Nelson Jr. Still Photographer
- Norman Cattell First Assistant Camera
- Robert Miller Best Boy Grip
- Michael A. Jones Camera Operator
- Richard Moran Key Grip
Editing · 4
- Tina Hirsch Editor
- Robert Raring Color Timer
- Donah Bassett Negative Cutter
- Tom Finan Assistant Editor
Sound · 18
- Jerry Goldsmith Original Music Composer
- Noel Regney Original Music Composer
- Mark Mangini Supervising Sound Editor
- Richard L. Anderson Supervising Sound Editor
- Kevin O'Connell Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- John Roesch Foley Artist
Art · 6
- James H. Spencer Production Design
- Michael Muscarella Construction Coordinator
- Marty Wunderlich Property Master
- Jackie Carr Set Decoration
- William F. Matthews Set Designer
- Bruce Edwin Gregory Assistant Property Master
Costume & Make-Up · 4
- Greg LaCava Makeup Artist
- Linda Matthews Costume Supervisor
- Norman A. Burza Costume Supervisor
- Cheri Ruff Hairstylist
Visual Effects · 2
- Chris Walas Creature Design
- Rocco Gioffre Matte Painter
Lighting · 2
- Norman Harris Gaffer
- Ron Kenyon Best Boy Electric
Other crew · 10
- Terry Leonard Stunt Coordinator
- Mike H. McGaughy Stunt Coordinator, Stunts
- Rudy Doucette Stunts
- Dave Robling Transportation Captain
- Gene McLaughlin Stunts
- Rosemary Johnston Stunts
Tropes
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