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Trailer

The Fly

1986Movie1 h 36 minR

Horror
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Letterboxd4.0/5Metacritic817.9Rotten Tomatoes82%83%

A deeply moving, nerve-racking horror movie about technology and the mind, with standout performances and direction.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you · you scare easily

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

When brilliant, eccentric scientist Seth Brundle makes a huge technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a common housefly manages to get inside the device and the two become one.

Feels like

  • Tragic Body Horror
  • Sci-Fi Romance
  • Jeff Goldblum Masterclass
  • Visceral Transformation
  • David Cronenberg Aesthetic
  • Emotional Devastation
  • Technological Hubris
  • Gothic Atmosphere

Cast

9 of 9

Crew

Directed by
David Cronenberg
Written by
David Cronenberg, Charles Edward Pogue
Produced by
Stuart Cornfeld
Music by
Howard Shore

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 15, 1986 · 1 h 36 min · R

Released
August 15, 1986
Runtime
1 h 36 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Horror, Science Fiction
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$15 million
Box office
$61 million
Available in
85 countries

Tropes

Bio Punk, Anger Born of Worry, Adaptational Location Change +9

  • Bio Punk
  • Anger Born of Worry
  • Adaptational Location Change
  • Creator Cameo
  • The Corruption
  • Imperiled in Pregnancy
  • Censor Steam
  • Scale of Scientific Sins
  • Oh, Crap!
  • Karmic Transformation
  • Failed a Spot Check
  • Dramatic Irony

12 of 261 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Fly?"

Questions about The Fly

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Fly?

HuluPeacockPhiloAMCPeacock Premium+

In the United States, The Fly streams on Hulu, Peacock, Philo, and AMC. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 60 other countries.

Is The Fly worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80 (IMDb 7.6, Letterboxd 4.0 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 82%, and Metacritic 81).

Is there a sequel to The Fly?

  1. The Fly (1986)
  2. The Fly II (1989)

Yes: it's movie 1 of 2 in its series, followed by The Fly II (1989).

Will The Fly scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

Yes, it's frightening: scares are rated 8 of 10, and some images are gruesome (grotesque 9 of 10).

Is The Fly good for date night?

Partner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo Watch

It suits a quiet night in as a couple: romance is 8 of 10, but the viewing guide doesn't list it for date night.

Was The Fly a box office hit?

Budget$15 million
Box office$61 million

Yes: it cost about $15 million to make and earned $61 million worldwide, 4.0 times its budget.

What tropes does The Fly use?

Bio PunkAnger Born of WorryAdaptational Location ChangeCreator CameoThe CorruptionImperiled in PregnancyCensor SteamScale of Scientific SinsOh, Crap!Karmic TransformationFailed a Spot CheckDramatic Ironyand 249 more

TV Tropes lists 261 tropes for it, including Bio Punk, Anger Born of Worry, and Adaptational Location Change.