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Fright Night

Fright Night

You can't run from evil when it lives next door.

2011106 minRMidcredits score: 57th percentile of all films
Director
Craig Gillespie
Starring
Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, David Tennant

A teenager suspects his new neighbour is a vampire. Unable to convince anyone, he tries to enlist the help of a self-proclaimed vampire hunter and magician.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Fright Night?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Fright Night streaming on Hulu, Peacock and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Fright Night?

Fright Night earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Fright Night worth watching?

Fright Night's Midcredits score is the 57th percentile of all films, from 239K ratings across 6 sources. 52% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

57th percentile

Better received than 57% of films

72nd percentile among Action57th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)57th
Approval (how many liked it)55th

63 /100

57th percentile of all films

73rd percentile among Action57th percentile among 2010s

Critics 64 · Audience 63

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

52% liked it

55th percentile of all films

68th percentile among Action55th percentile among 2010s
52% rated it 7–1048% rated it 1–6

Critics 72% · Audience 59%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 8 noms overall

97th percentile

239K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26

Box office

Budget$30M
Opening weekend$7.7M
Domestic gross$18M
Worldwide gross$41M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 76th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a fun, fast-paced popcorn horror-comedy that offers a modern take on the 1985 original, even if they differ on whether the changes are an improvement.

Fans praised

  • Colin Farrell's charismatic and menacing vampire performance
  • David Tennant's scene-stealing, witty Peter Vincent
  • Balanced mix of horror, comedy, and suspense

Detractors panned

  • Weak, overused CGI effects and cartoony visuals
  • Lack of mystery and character development compared to the original

What stands out

ActingDivisive78

Farrell's menacing charisma, Tennant's comedic energy, Yelchin's likable lead

HumorDivisive72

Self-aware comedy lands; detractors found it forced

Pacing70

Quickly gets into action; some found first third slow

Dialogue68

Witty, quotable lines; some complained about crude teen dialogue

Characters60

Streamlined but thinner character arcs; charismatic villain, weak supporting depth

Plot and story60

Basic vampire-next-door story with fast pacing but some plot holes

Effects and spectacleDivisive55

CGI gore and vampire transformations often criticized as weak

Originality48

Familiar premise with some fresh twists; overall unnecessary remake

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 8 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Fright Night like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to be scared.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrilling
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its vampire threat seriously but balances it with self-aware humor, especially in Peter Vincent's flamboyant character and the teenage social dynamics.
The rideThe film builds tension through the first half, with the heaviest stretch in the finale as Charley faces Jerry in his basement lair.
StructureA straightforward linear narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you entertained and satisfied, with a lighthearted conclusion that rewards the hero's journey.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterPredator
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% (this title) · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Predator: A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeCharley Brewster discovers his neighbor is a vampire and must hunt him down to rescue his girlfriend and protect his family, culminating in a siege in the vampire's basement lair.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalComing of age · 5% of filmsFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeCharley's struggle to survive a vampire attack forces him to grow up, abandon his social pretenses, and protect his family.
StanceThe film affirms the importance of bravery and loyalty in the face of existential danger.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanInstitutionalHorror supernatural
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · Ramin Djawadi
SettingA suburban Las Vegas neighborhood near the desert, with homes blacked out for night workers and a casino showbiz backdrop.
MusicDjawadi's score blends orchestral tension with electronic elements to heighten the suspense.

Content guide

Is Fright Night okay for kids?

R

Fright Night is rated R: “Rated R for bloody horror violence, and language including some sexual references” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (83/100), sexual content at moderate (37/100), language at severe (81/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (51/100) and frightening material at intense (70/100). Overall it is heavier than 72% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 16 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland15A
  • JapanR18+
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary18
  • ItalyVM14
  • Poland18
  • RO18
  • Russia16+
  • Spain18
  • Taiwan輔12
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 83% of all filmsHeavier than 72% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 70%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 33%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 75%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 65%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 65%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, language, and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Fright Night have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Fright Night?

Cast

Anton Yelchin
as Charley Brewster
Colin Farrell
as Jerry
Toni Collette
as Jane Brewster
David Tennant
as Peter Vincent
Imogen Poots
as Amy
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
as Ed
Dave Franco
as Mark
Reid Ewing
as Ben Wegner
Will Denton
as Adam Johnson
Sandra Vergara
as Ginger

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Fright Night?

Movies like Fright Night include Infestation (2009), Fright Night Part 2 (1988) and Fright Night (1985). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Tom Holland, and most are stories about vampires.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its story type: horror comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Fright Night?

1.9K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: horror comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.