Ladyhawke

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Ladyhawke

PG-13

1985

2h 4m

Fantasy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Upon breaking out of a dungeon, youthful thief Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) befriends Capt. Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a man with a strange secret. Navarre and his lover Lady Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiffer) were cursed by the wicked Bishop of Aquila (John Wood), who desires Lady Isabeau for himself. His dark magic prevents the pair from ever being in each other's presence except at twilight, so they enlist Gaston in a dangerous plot to overthrow the Bishop and break his evil enchantment.

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Critics Consensus

There are pacing problems, but Ladyhawke has an undeniable romantic sweep that's stronger than most fantasy epics of its ilk.

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

Oct 13, 2023

The actors are extravagantly good: Hauer, as always, with a sense of intelligence behind his physical exploits; Pfeiffer, strong and exquisite, and Broderick, embroidering on his role as go-between, is irresistible, comic and wistful by turns.

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Oct 13, 2023

4/5

Here is the kind of elaborate, gothic tragedy that fuels Germanic operas and Heavy Metal ballads — the lovers who can remain together but forever be apart.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Jan 4, 2018

Unfortunately, director Richard Donner never quite gets the tone right, and the pace is positively stuporous. The horses gallop, but the film barely canters.

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Tom Hutchinson

Radio Times

Sep 19, 2025

4/5

Michelle Pfeiffer as the title's pretty predator and Rutger Hauer as a legendary lycanthrope give human poignancy to this medieval fairy tale about lovers cursed to shape-change into animals.

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Frances Lynn

Starburst

Jul 22, 2022

Richard Donner has made Ladyhawke an uncontroversial fairy tale for young children, as the film's blandness and stereotype performances...offers nothing interesting, let alone new.

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Matthew Turner

Hero Collector

Jul 9, 2021

4/5

A thoroughly delightful fantasy romance that holds up remarkably well and deserves to be rediscovered by today's younger audiences.

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Diaulas F

@RT13630323 Oct 3, 2026

Uma história linda. Uma trilha sonora emocionante e Michelle Pfeiffer maravilhosa!

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nick S

@Nick_S Sep 4, 2026

A good adventure story with great performances from Pfeiffer and Hauer. Broderick was charming but his acting was a little patchy. In terms of storytelling there was a long stretch with little tension. It felt like it needed a bit more depth. But at least it was easy to follow and not the muddled incoherent mess of today's movies. Eye-catching sets and costumes.

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James A

@Droz27 Aug 3, 2026

Really charming classic fantasy film that belongs beside Legend, Labyrinth and the Pricess Bride as essential 80s family fare. Matthew Broderick is lovable even if he delivers his lines in his signature Ferris style. Ruther Hauer and Michelle Pfieffer are in their beautiful primes, giving us a compelling love story full of gorgeous imagery and quality action.

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Allan C

@RT15713161 Jul 17, 2026

Ferris Bueller's Medieval Day Off Ladyhawke (1985) **** LADYHAWKE is an undeniably '80s medieval fantasy whose anachronistic synth score and Matthew Broderick's miscasting somehow add to its peculiar charm rather than detract from it. Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer give the film its emotional heart, making this romantic fairy tale a flawed but thoroughly enchanting cult favorite. SEE LETTERBOXED FOR FULL REVIEW

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Samuel P

@TheFabulousWatcher Jul 15, 2026

Very entertaining and interesting if a little campy and predictable.

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Joel H

@786Joel May 6, 2026

I know I'm mostly flying on nostalgia here, but I'm a fan of Ladyhawke. This film tells a timeless tale, anchored to the 80s by the cheesy synthesized soundtrack. I can’t quite tell how I feel about Matthew Broderick (a.k.a. Falconer Bueller) in this movie. At some parts, he feels completely out of place in this fantasy world, yet during others, his comedic delivery is a welcome relief to the somber tone. But Rutger Hauer is fantastic, Michelle Pfieffer is mesmerizing, and the film is beautifully shot. I won’t be surprised if they remake Ladyhawke, but I doubt it will capture the magic of the original.

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Richard Donner

Director

Matthew Broderick

Phillipe Gaston, the Mouse

Rutger Hauer

Captain Etienne Navarre

Michelle Pfeiffer

Isabeau d'Anjou

Leo McKern

Father Imperius

John Wood

Bishop of Aquila

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Synopsis

Upon breaking out of a dungeon, youthful thief Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) befriends Capt. Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a man with a strange secret. Navarre and his lover Lady Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiffer) were cursed by the wicked Bishop of Aquila (John Wood), who desires Lady Isabeau for himself. His dark magic prevents the pair from ever being in each other's presence except at twilight, so they enlist Gaston in a dangerous plot to overthrow the Bishop and break his evil enchantment.

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Richard Donner, Lauren Shuler Donner
Screenwriter: Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, Tom Mankiewicz, David Webb Peoples
Distributor: Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2007
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround

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