Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- foreboding
- claustrophobic
- visceral
- late night horror marathon
- 1980s horror night
What critics said
Critics broadly found Cujo suspenseful and frightening in its strongest moments, but uneven and artless overall, with mixed opinions about its gore, originality, and resolution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cujo begins as a Saint Bernard and becomes the central threat after rabies transforms the ordinary pet into a violent attacker.
Donna and Tad are trapped inside their broken Pinto while Cujo patrols the area around them.
The danger comes from rabies, heat, isolation, and a physically present dog, with no fantasy or supernatural mechanism.
The stalled car and surrounding property create oppressive confinement despite the threat unfolding in an open, recognizable environment.
Films like Cujo, and why
The Birds
shared mad animal premise, escalating survival horror, and ordinary domestic characters trapped by a realistic threat
Misery
shared claustrophobic siege structure, sustained dread, and a vulnerable parent protecting a child
Poltergeist
shared suburban horror, family peril, and a seemingly familiar environment transformed into a zone of terror
Jaws
shared suspenseful creature threat, isolated victims, and visceral 1980s horror atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Lewis Teague
- Release Date
- 1983-08-10
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (1173)
Cast
- Dee Wallace
- Danny Pintauro
- Daniel Hugh Kelly
- Christopher Stone
- Ed Lauter
- Kaiulani Lee
- Billy Jayne
- Mills Watson
- Sandy Ward
- Jerry Hardin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, 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 Cujo about?
- A suburban mother and her young son face a rabid Saint Bernard when their broken-down car leaves them stranded in the dog’s territory.
- What is Cujo like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cujo as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cujo violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Cujo as graphic.
- What did critics think of Cujo?
- Critics broadly found Cujo suspenseful and frightening in its strongest moments, but uneven and artless overall, with mixed opinions about its gore, originality, and resolution.
- Which films are like Cujo?
- Films with a similar feel include The Birds, Misery, Poltergeist, and Jaws.
- How long is Cujo?
- Cujo runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cujo?
- In United States, Cujo is available to rent or buy from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
