The Invisible Man

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The Invisible Man

1933

1h 11m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

95%

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59 Reviews

85%

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10,000+ Ratings

While researching a new drug, Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) stumbles on a potion that can make him invisible. When he reveals his new ability to his old mentor (Henry Travers) and his fiancée (Gloria Stuart), it's clear that a side effect of the potion is insanity. Jack goes on a violent rampage, and the police struggle to hunt him down, unable to see their target, while his mentor and his former partner (William Harrigan) desperately try to devise a plan to capture him.

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Critics Consensus

James Whale's classic The Invisible Man features still-sharp special effects, loads of tension, a goofy sense of humor, and a memorable debut from Claude Rains.

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Lawrence O'Toole

Entertainment Weekly

Oct 15

A

Whale’s playful and innovative trick photography (using wires and mattes that have now become standard issues) and Rains’ virtuoso performance, nearly entirely vocal, turn his tragedy of transparency into something touching and timeless.

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Times (UK) Staff

The Times (UK)

10/08/2020

Mr. Wells's original idea had the element of humour as well as stark terror in it; in the film the humour misses all its glorious opportunities and the terror is robbed.

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SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

10/08/2020

Under the supervision of James Whale, the director of "Frankenstein" and "The Old Dark House" the doings of the Invisible Man have been set forth with extraordinary realism.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 19

4/5

‘…sits up with the best of Whale’s 1930’s work…’

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 26

3.5/4

After creating movie magic with Frankenstein and The Old Dark House, James Whale again demonstrated his proclivity for the genre with this exciting adaptation of the H.G. Wells chestnut.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/26/2025

It’s slow going even at 71 minutes but full of delightful touches and a terrific performance by the all but unseen Rains, whose rich, cultured voice envelopes the picture in a kind of omnipresent fog.

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Chris C

Oct 24

Given how old this movie is, quite good. and so interesting to see how things have progressed over the years!

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Tyler B

@MitchellsChin 23h

So much can be said with little. 1933s Invisible Man leaps boundaries. This OG sci-fi horror film has well crafted special effects and the story will expose you to your most inner nefarious thoughts and fears.

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Robert P

@Superbad 2d

This is an old movie, but very well done especially considering the special effects!

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Alex B

@AlexBioni 2d

Gathering Nuts This is a good Universal classic horror sci fi movie. The effects are actually really cool, especially when he's partly invisible or wearing clothes and you can't see his face. The floating objects and rocking chairs were fun to see too. I also like Jack's costume with the wrapping around his head and glasses. Him taking the bandages off is crazy cool. The story is good, but I have a hard time not comparing it to the 2020 version, which is a completely different movie. Jack is also kind of a psycho, making him an interesting character. It's almost like Frankenstein, but about a psychopath. Dude is just an arrogant psychopath. I wish we saw Jack become invisible instead of being thrown into the story and having him explain it. I'm a show, don't tell kind of guy, so that bothered me. I still don't think it's as good as Dracula or Frankenstein, but it's a solid watch.

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B P

@Bradster69 4d

Definitely Recommend It

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David M

@RT67300336 Jul 24

A Pretty Cool Movie, one of the best monster movies.

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James Whale

Director

Claude Rains

Jack Griffin

Gloria Stuart

Flora Cranley

Henry Travers

Dr. Cranley

William Harrigan

Dr. Arthur Kemp

Una O'Connor

Jenny Hall

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Synopsis

While researching a new drug, Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) stumbles on a potion that can make him invisible. When he reveals his new ability to his old mentor (Henry Travers) and his fiancée (Gloria Stuart), it's clear that a side effect of the potion is insanity. Jack goes on a violent rampage, and the police struggle to hunt him down, unable to see their target, while his mentor and his former partner (William Harrigan) desperately try to devise a plan to capture him.

Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Screenwriter: R.C. Sherriff, Preston Sturges, H.G. Wells, Philip Wylie
Distributor: Realart Pictures Inc., Universal Pictures, Screen Gems, Universal Home Entertainment, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 1933, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 11m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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