The Black Sleep
In 19th century England, a noted brain surgeon rescues a former student from being hanged on a false conviction for murder, and spirits him away to an ancient, repurposed abbey far in the countryside. There, he connives his pupil into assisting him in mapping the functions of the various parts of the human brain, using living subjects who are under a terrible animation-suspending drug called "black sleep". Subsequently, the student, along with the daughter of one of the subjects, discover that most of these subjects have survived but are being kept in a dungeon-like cellar, in various stages of physical and mental derangement...
Ratings
Based on audience scoresWhere to stream The Black Sleep
Streaming now in the United States on Amazon Prime Video, Cultpix, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, Hoopla, Fawesome, and Pluto TV.
Rent or buy in the United States on Amazon Video.
Trailers and promos
The Black Sleep ≣ 1956 ≣ Trailer
THE BLACK SLEEP trailer
Joe Dante on THE BLACK SLEEP
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Frequently asked questions about The Black Sleep
Where can I watch The Black Sleep in the United States?
The Black Sleep is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Cultpix, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, Hoopla, Fawesome, and Pluto TV in the United States, and to rent or buy on Amazon Video. Streaming availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.
Is The Black Sleep on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes. The Black Sleep is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the United States, alongside Cultpix, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, Hoopla, Fawesome, and Pluto TV.
Can I watch The Black Sleep for free?
The Black Sleep streams free with ads in the United States on Hoopla, Fawesome, Pluto TV, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. A subscription is not required, though the service may ask you to register.
What are the ratings for The Black Sleep?
The Black Sleep scores 6.2 on The Movie Database.
Who stars in The Black Sleep?
The Black Sleep stars Basil Rathbone, Herbert Rudley, Patricia Blair, Akim Tamiroff, and Phyllis Stanley. Reginald Le Borg is the director.
How long is The Black Sleep?
The Black Sleep runs 1h 22m (82 minutes).
When did The Black Sleep come out?
The Black Sleep was released on June 15, 1956.
Which studio made The Black Sleep?
The Black Sleep was produced by Bel-Air Productions and United Artists in the United States.
What was the budget for The Black Sleep?
The Black Sleep was made on a budget of $225,000.
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.