Candyman

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1:59

Candyman

R

1992

1h 38m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago's Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman's description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.

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Critics Consensus

Though it ultimately sacrifices some mystery in the name of gory thrills, Candyman is a nuanced, effectively chilling tale that benefits from an interesting premise and some fine performances.

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Budd Wilkins

Slant Magazine

Jun 7, 2022

Candyman explicitly becomes a horror story about the power and fascination of horror stories.

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Monica Castillo

Bitch Media

Jan 13, 2021

Wonderfully playing against expectation, Candyman leaves you wondering where the story will go next, something missing in most horror movies.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

Mar 4, 2020

3/4

If Candyman doesn't live up to its potential, it does fulfill most of the Saturday night requirements. The action is swift, if excessively graphic, and Madsen proves a strong-willed, sympathetic lead.

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 18, 2025

8/10

...It’s a compelling gothic horror tale told well with the backdrop of nineties urban Chicago. Candyman is an iconic monster, and is one of the best horror movies on the topic of an urban legend.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Jun 12, 2024

Todd does not appear until forty-four minutes into the ninety-nine-minute film, he dominates the film and becomes an icon, our twentieth century Dracula. The special effects may not hold up, and the green screen is discernible, but Todd is timeless.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 24, 2023

3/5

Tony Todd's performance and the Philip Glass score set the film apart from similar slashers, but it serves more as an effective compilation of scenes as opposed to an entirely satisfying full-length narrative.

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RocketCopter

Oct 17, 2026

Honestly a top 3 must-see horror classic

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Ruth W

@bsnmomma12 Oct 30, 2026

There is so much going on in this movie, in an exceptional way. I wish I could watch it again, but I don’t think I can do that. I need to think on it and read some critical writing about it.

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Alex B

@AlexBioni Oct 16, 2026

The Legend of Candyman This is a great movie. The iconic piano and church choir music stands out. Though it borrows from Bloody Mary, the story feels original, exploring trauma, grief, and urban legends. Virginia Madsen is great, and Tony Todd is incredible. The gritty 90s style makes Chicago feel real, showing the poverty and violence of the projects. Investigating Candyman's lore builds tension, and his presence hangs over the film even when he's off screen. The racism behind his legend adds depth, while the bee imagery is horrifying. The scene where bees pour from his mouth is utterly insane. Those bees were real! Based on a Clive Barker short story, this psychological horror keeps you questioning whether Candyman is real or just a legend. The second half gets confusing because the story jumps around so much, making his motives hard to follow. Overall, this is a great movie that I try to watch every October.

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Alyssa D

@RT61796684 Oct 13, 2026

I don't have the words to properly convey why this is so good. Just know it is and enjoyable even after multiple watches.

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Julian C

@juliancooper_12 Oct 8, 2026

Tony Todd's performance and its social commentary on gentrification is what makes this movie epic

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 5, 2026

The Candyman = a *4* star movie

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Bernard Rose

Director

Virginia Madsen

Helen Lyle

Tony Todd

Candyman

Xander Berkeley

Trevor Lyle

Kasi Lemmons

Bernadette 'Bernie' Walsh

Vanessa Williams

Anne-Marie McCoy

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Synopsis

Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago's Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman's description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.

Director: Bernard Rose
Producer: Steve Golin, Alan Poul, Sigurjon Sighvatsson
Screenwriter: Clive Barker, Bernard Rose
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Propaganda Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 27, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.5M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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