The Invisible Man

Released Nov 13, 1933

1h 11m

Sci-Fi

List

95%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Times (UK) Staff

Times (UK)

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.

Oct 8, 2020

Full Review

SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

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.

Oct 8, 2020

Full Review

Age Staff

The Age (Australia)

A marvel of film technique.

Oct 8, 2020

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Featuring director James Whale's trademark black humor, The Invisible Man is a delightfully demented horror film that sports some truly outstanding visual effects.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 1, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

The Universal Monster with the biggest ego and the highest body count. This film is lean and mean (though it definitely doesn't need that female love interest)

Rated: 4/5

Mar 28, 2024

Full Review

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

When you get Claude Rains' performance mixed with James Whale's hand as a director you simply get perfection.

Oct 31, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

NiB Y

The best of the Universal Monsters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/24

Full Review

Charles C

Probably the best of universal og movies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

Andrew L

The first Invisible Man movie is more faithful to the H.G. Wells novel than most people think. Rains plays the unseen entity wonderfully and truly captures the spirit of the novel

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Kurtis E

The special effects in this film are HIGHLY underrated, nothing short of groundbreaking, and nobody talks about it. Briskly paced, everybody in this film does exactly what they're supposed to do. I laughed as Dr. Jack Griffin, the titular invisible man devolves into a cartoonish and maniacal spree of murder and mayhem. A very fun film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

Alec B

I like that Raines is psychotic from the get go. It gives the movie energy and purpose. Whale also has the right sense of humor about the whole thing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Jay H

The dialogue in this movie is awful, and Mrs. Hall is one of the most irritating characters I've ever seen.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Invisible Man: Official Clip - Murder, Money, Madness