The Elephant Man movie poster

The Elephant Man

1980 · 2h 4m · Released

PG Drama, History

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

Read the book by Ashley Montagu

Ratings

Based on audience scores
8.1 The Movie Database
N/A IMDb
N/A Rotten Tomatoes
N/A Metacritic

Where to stream The Elephant Man

Streaming now in the United States on Criterion Channel.

Criterion Channel

Rent or buy in the United States on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At Home

Trailers and promos

Official 40th Anniversary Restoration Trailer
Official Trailer
Emotional scene from THE ELEPHANT MAN
Clip
Reveal
First 10 Minutes [4K Remastered]
David Lynch on Mel Brooks & THE ELEPHANT MAN | Special Feature (Excerpt)
David Lynch: Mel Brooks Is the Guy Who Put Me on the Map

Top cast and crew

David Lynch Director
Anthony Hopkins Frederick Treves
John Hurt John Merrick
Anne Bancroft Mrs Kendal
John Gielgud Carr Gomm
Wendy Hiller Mothershead
Freddie Jones Bytes
Michael Elphick Night Porter
Hannah Gordon Mrs Treves
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Frequently asked questions about The Elephant Man

Where can I watch The Elephant Man in the United States?

The Elephant Man is available to stream on Criterion Channel in the United States, and to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.

Can I watch The Elephant Man for free?

Not free in the United States right now. The Elephant Man needs a subscription to Criterion Channel, or you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

What are the ratings for The Elephant Man?

The Elephant Man scores 8.1 on The Movie Database.

Who stars in The Elephant Man?

The Elephant Man stars Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, and Wendy Hiller. David Lynch is the director.

How long is The Elephant Man?

The Elephant Man runs 2h 4m (124 minutes).

When did The Elephant Man come out?

The Elephant Man was released on October 9, 1980.

Which studio made The Elephant Man?

The Elephant Man was produced by Brooksfilms in the United States.

What was the budget for The Elephant Man?

The Elephant Man was made on a budget of $5,000,000.

How much did The Elephant Man make at the box office?

The Elephant Man grossed $26,000,000 worldwide, against a budget of $5,000,000.

Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Streaming availability checked September 2026.

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