A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Wes Craven's landmark slasher horror that introduced the world to Freddy Krueger and forever changed the genre.
A Nightmare on Elm Street - Movie Information
- Original Title: A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Release Year: 1984
- Directed by: Wes Craven
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 16, 1984 (Canada), November 16, 1984 (United States - R), August 29, 1985 (Germany - 16), March 6, 1985 (France - 12), July 1, 1985 (India), August 1, 1985 (Australia - M), November 27, 1986 (Brazil - 16), April 17, 1986 (Mexico - C), August 8, 1985 (Italy - 18+), October 31, 1985 (Spain), March 23, 1985 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Εφιάλτης στο δρόμο με τις λεύκες (GR), Freddy 1 (FR), Nightmare - Mörderische Träume (DE), Pesadilla en lo profundo de la noche (AR), Terror på Elm Street (SE), Nightmare - Dal profondo della notte (IT), Koszmar z Ulicy Wiązów (PL), Pesadilla en Elm Street (ES)
- Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Smart Egg Pictures, Media Home Entertainment, Cinema 84, The Elm Street Venture
- Production Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom
A Nightmare on Elm Street - Plot
Teenagers in a small town are dropping like flies, apparently in the grip of mass hysteria causing their suicides. A cop's daughter, Nancy Thompson, traces the cause to child molester Fred Krueger, who was burned alive by angry parents many years before. Krueger has now come back in the dreams of his killers' children, claiming their lives as his revenge. Nancy and her boyfriend, Glen, must devise a plan to lure the monster out of the realm of nightmares and into the real world...
A Nightmare on Elm Street - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see why Freddy Krueger became horror's most terrifying dream stalker:
If Nancy doesn't wake up screaming, she won't wake up at all.
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A Nightmare on Elm Street - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Wes Craven
Main Cast
- John Saxon
- Ronee Blakley
- Heather Langenkamp
- Amanda Wyss
- Jsu Garcia
- Johnny Depp
- Charles Fleischer
- Joseph Whipp
- Robert Englund
- Lin Shaye
Writers
- Wes Craven
Producers
- Robert Shaye
- Sara Risher
- John Burrows
A Nightmare on Elm Street - FAQs
Is Freddy Krueger based on a real person?
Freddy Krueger is not based on a single real person, but Wes Craven drew inspiration from several sources, including a childhood bully and a disturbing newspaper story about young men dying in their sleep after suffering nightmares. The character is a fictional creation, though rooted in real-world fears.
What is the ending of A Nightmare on Elm Street explained?
Nancy defeats Freddy by withdrawing her fear and stripping him of his power, seemingly destroying him. However, the film ends with a jarring twist: Nancy steps outside into a sunny morning that abruptly turns dark, suggesting she may still be trapped in a dream — leaving the ending deliberately ambiguous and unsettling.
Where can you stream A Nightmare on Elm Street?
A Nightmare on Elm Street is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It is also available to rent on Spectrum On Demand. Streaming availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for the most current options in your area.
Who are the main actors in A Nightmare on Elm Street?
The film stars Heather Langenkamp as Nancy Thompson, Robert Englund as the terrifying Fred Krueger, and John Saxon as Nancy's father. Johnny Depp appears in one of his earliest screen roles as Glen Lantz, and Ronee Blakley plays Nancy's troubled mother, Marge Thompson.
What is A Nightmare on Elm Street about?
Teenagers in a small Ohio town are hunted and killed within their dreams by Fred Krueger, a disfigured child murderer burned alive by their parents years earlier. Nancy Thompson uncovers the truth and must find a way to pull Krueger out of the dream world before he claims her life.
When was A Nightmare on Elm Street released?
A Nightmare on Elm Street had its theatrical release on November 16, 1984, in both Canada and the United States. It subsequently opened in numerous international markets throughout 1985 and 1986, including France, Germany, Australia, Italy, Spain, and Brazil, among others.
What is the age rating for A Nightmare on Elm Street?
A Nightmare on Elm Street is rated R in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian. The film contains strong horror violence, disturbing imagery, and mature themes. International ratings vary, including 16 in Germany, 18+ in Italy, and M in Australia.
Who directed A Nightmare on Elm Street?
A Nightmare on Elm Street was written and directed by Wes Craven, one of the most influential figures in horror cinema. Craven conceived the concept of a killer who attacks victims through their dreams, creating one of the genre's most enduring and iconic franchises with this debut entry.
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