Multiple Maniacs

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Multiple Maniacs

1970

1h 30m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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23 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

The Cavalcade of Perversion, a traveling freak-show, is a front for a band of psychotic kidnappers and murderers.

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Steve Rose

Guardian

Feb 16, 2017

3/5

Only John Waters could stage a Charles Manson-style slaughter then think: "This could really do with a giant-lobster rape scene to spruce it up."

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John Semley

Globe and Mail

Aug 5, 2016

3.5/4

For all its ostensible unpleasantness, Multiple Maniacs is cheapo, indie, queer American cinema at its most adversarial and thrillingly vicious.

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Neil Genzlinger

New York Times

Aug 4, 2016

Is it some kind of lost masterpiece? No. It's merely an interesting milestone on the path to Mr. Waters's better-known works ...

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 5, 2022

... quite possibly the trashiest and most tasteless film to get the Criterion treatment. And I say that with love and appreciation.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 10, 2022

3/4

It still retains its ability to surprise, even if modern society has put a damper on its ability to always shock.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Sep 11, 2020

3/5

Waters, as always, doesn't fall short of his promise in this sleazy, tawdry, hilarious harpooning of manners and mores.

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

this film was so unserious yet unhinged I couldn’t help but laugh. name a more iconic duo than john waters and divine. something about watching divine act is truly fascinating to watch I was entertained.

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Wendi F

@wendydj Dec 18, 2025

This movie is interesting.... not in the best way. I would describe it as pushing the boundary of cinema. It is funny at time and aappreciate its originality

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Valeria P

@valp15 Dec 18, 2025

Multiple Maniacs is wild and messed-up, but that is what makes it so funny.

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Bnk 3

@TylerSalazar Dec 18, 2025

I didn't really enjoy this film I thought it was weird and shocking. Multiple maniacs is a cult film that had a low budget trying to offend on purpose in order to be a good film. However it is a very bold film and I won't forget it. I recommend it to a specific audience whom enjoy really strange films.

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Leandro O

@RT76619829 Dec 17, 2025

Such a weird movie, it's probably more fun if you watch it with friends. But I wouldn't guarantee that. I wouldn't say it's a terrible movie, but it's definitely a bad movie that's very odd and disturbing in it's own right. The randomness didn't really help out with the movie either, it just made it weird and made the plot line a bit more confusing if you didn't understand the symbolism. Overall, it's just plain weird.

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Jennifer D

@jen.d Dec 17, 2025

This movie is is strange and is very offensive. Its not a movie that is enjoyable and it isnt entertaining.

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Synopsis

The Cavalcade of Perversion, a traveling freak-show, is a front for a band of psychotic kidnappers and murderers.

Director: John Waters
Producer: John Waters
Screenwriter: John Waters
Distributor: American Home Entertainment, New Line Cinema, Cinema Group, Film-Makers' Cooperative
Production Co: Dreamland
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 1970, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.0K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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