Animal House
A rowdy fraternity's fight to survive an authoritarian dean becomes a gleefully vulgar portrait of campus rebellion.
Overview
A raucous college comedy that turns the traditional fraternity experience upside down.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- raunchy
- irreverent
- anarchic
- college movie night
- nostalgic comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly praise its manic energy, subversive college satire, memorable characters, and John Belushi's commanding comic performance, while acknowledging its deliberately puerile humor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dean Wormer and the respectable fraternity attempt to expel the unruly Delta House, while the film consistently sides with irreverent student rebellion.
The fraternity's parties, drinking, drug use, sexual escapades, and tasteless jokes create the film's defining comic register.
Bluto, Pinto, Flounder, Katy, and the other fraternity members collectively drive the conflict and the escalating campus disorder.
The dean's campaign against Delta House reaches its public culmination around the homecoming parade.
Films like Animal House, and why
The Paper Chase
Shares anarchic college setting, irreverent ensemble comedy, youthful rebellion, and escalating institutional conflict.
Old School
Shares raunchy campus humor, unruly student characters, and a rebellious reaction against academic authority.
Caddyshack
Shares National Lampoon-style excess, provocative satire, broad physical comedy, and an ensemble of irresponsible young adults.
The Blues Brothers
Shares subversive 1970s comedy, countercultural energy, and a charismatic comic performance driving chaotic group antics.
Movie Details
- Director
- John Landis
- Release Date
- 1978-07-28
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1735)
Cast
- John Belushi
- Karen Allen
- Tom Hulce
- Stephen Furst
- Mark Metcalf
- Mary Louise Weller
- Martha Smith
- John Vernon
- James Daughton
- Kevin Bacon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, YouTube TV, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Animal House about?
- A rowdy fraternity's fight to survive an authoritarian dean becomes a gleefully vulgar portrait of campus rebellion.
- What is Animal House like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Animal House as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Animal House violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Animal House as mild.
- What did critics think of Animal House?
- Critics broadly praise its manic energy, subversive college satire, memorable characters, and John Belushi's commanding comic performance, while acknowledging its deliberately puerile humor.
- Which films are like Animal House?
- Films with a similar feel include The Paper Chase, Old School, Caddyshack, and The Blues Brothers.
- How long is Animal House?
- Animal House runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Animal House?
- In United States, Animal House streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, YouTube TV, MGM Plus.
