The Howling (film)

The Howling
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Joe Dante
Screenplay by	John Sayles Terence H. Winkless
Based on	The Howling by Gary Brandner
Produced by	Michael Finnell Jack Conrad
Starring	Dee Wallace Patrick Macnee Dennis Dugan Christopher Stone Belinda Balaski Kevin McCarthy John Carradine Slim Pickens Elisabeth Brooks
Cinematography	John Hora
Edited by	Mark Goldblatt Joe Dante
Music by	Pino Donaggio
Production companies	International Film Investors Wescom Productions
Distributed by	Embassy Pictures
Release date	March 13, 1981 (1981-03-13) (United States)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.5 million[1] or $1.7 millionor $150,000[2]
Box office	$17.9 million[3] or $20 million[2]

The Howling is a 1981 American horror film directed and edited by Joe Dante. Written by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless, based on the novel of the same name by Gary Brandner, the film follows a news anchor who, following a traumatic encounter with a serial killer, visits a resort secretly inhabited by werewolves. The cast includes Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens, and Elisabeth Brooks.

The Howling was released in the United States on March 13, 1981, and became a moderate success, grossing $17.9 million at the box office. It received generally positive reviews, with praise for the makeup special effects by Rob Bottin. The film won the 1980 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film and was one of the three high-profile werewolf-themed horror films released in 1981, alongside An American Werewolf in London and Wolfen.

Its financial success aided Dante's career, and prompted Warner Bros. to hire Dante and Michael Finnell as director and producer, respectively, for Gremlins (1984). A series consisting of seven sequels arose from the film's success. A remake is in development, with Andy Muschietti set to direct.