The Lost Boys poster & wallpaper

Alex Winter, Barnard Hughes, Billy Wirth

A group of teenage vampires attempts to recruit a new member who is not quite so certain about the trouble he is getting into.

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85% liked it

142,404 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

39 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

Release Date: July 31, 1987

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DVD Release Date: January 27, 1998

Stats: 17,244 reviews

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. mmm kiefer is so lush!!! The Lost Boys The Lost Boys kiefer sutherland kiefer sutherland as david . The Lost Boys (1987) The Lost Boys Kiefer Sutherland kiefer sutherland lost boys lost boys david The LoSt BoYs [aka best movie ever!] kiefer sutherland The Lost Boys The Lost Boys The Lost Boys
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Flixster Reviews (17,244)

  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    People get too sentimental, re-watching this the other day I realised how awful it really is, although I?d convinced myself it was brilliant!
  • stopitgoaway
    August 29, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    This is the best popcorn movie I've ever watched. It has to be one of the best vampire flicks to hit 80's screens. (Well actually I can think of others but this one tops them.) Some critics refer to it as just one big MTV music commercial with all the pop culture references and a...( read more)ll, but the soundtrack is the best feature of it. Kiefer Sutherland makes a fantastically sexy vampire and Jamie Gertz acts the best I've ever seen. Good to see some older pro's in for the ride as well (Dianne Wiest and Edward Herriman). I totally recommend this movie for a Friday night in.
  • bradwest
    February 15, 2009
    bradwest
    An 80's vampire movie from Joel Schumacher. Time has not been kind to it. Has some moments, but really; the two Coreys??!!
  • jamilyn0276
    November 20, 2008
    jamilyn0276
    This is the classic that made my love affair with vampire movies happen.
    Kiefer Sutherland, as David and Jason Patrick, as Michael; tugged on many a girl's heart strings in this one.
    I also really liked Jami Gertz, as Star. She's beautiful, her character had a cool name ...( read more)and wardrobe. Not to mention she does spell her name, the same way I do.
  • PvtCaboose91
    October 15, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "Now you know what we are, now you know what you are. You'll never grow old, Michael, and you'll never die. But you must feed!"


    The Lost Boys is a peculiar 1980s crossbreed featuring equal quantities of comedy and horror. The film was popular with audiences up

    ...( read more)on initial release in 1987, and years later it still wins the hearts of loyal fans and has amassed an extraordinary cult following. Looking at The Lost Boys now, though, there is little I can say in the film's favour. It's excruciatingly outdated, campy, B-grade, tacky, and the directing is occasionally quite botched. There are also inconsistencies and a failure to bestow a clear interpretation of vampire lore. To me, the film appears to alienate those with a scrupulous infatuation with vampires.

    The lofty expectations promised an original film that hybridised comedy and horror. By 1987, slasher movies had certainly outstayed their welcome and there was very little "fresh blood" in the horror genre, so to speak. The early buzz of The Lost Boys pegged it as the proper antidote to inject life into the dormant horror genre. Moreover, the film also promised to reinvent the vampire flick for the MTV generation. But it failed. It may have been a moderate box office success and it did indeed get its fans, however the film was unable to crossover to the masses. It also falls into the dustbin of camp - it's too ludicrous to take seriously as a true vampire horror flick, but not funny enough to be a comedy. Certainly, The Lost Boys has its charms. It's stylish, enjoyable, atmospheric, has a rollicking soundtrack and the vampire image was influential for its subsequent imitators. Films such as Interview with a Vampire and TV shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer draw palpable influence from this flick. It's inane beyond belief and fell short of its expectations, but it's at least somewhat creative and fun. Nevertheless as a vampire flick it lacks bite.

    The plot needs little recap, as the words "MTV vampires" pretty much sums everything up. In a few more words, the film basically tracks two teenagers who move to Santa Clara with their mother. Michael (Patric) and Sam (Haim) are unhappy with the prospect of moving to California and living with their daffy grandfather (Hughes). Little do the brothers realise that Santa Clara is infested with vampires.
    The primary horde of vampires is led by David (Sutherland). Michael is quickly seduced by the irresistible charms of vampire babe Star (Gertz). Michael is lured to the main vampire lair, and David appears keen for him to join them. As Michael begins exhibiting vampiric behaviour, his brother Sam befriends two juvenile vampire hunters known as the Frog Brothers (Feldman and Newlander). This establishes a few character destined to clash together in a violent final showdown: the supernatural vs. the teenage species.

    Unfortunately, The Lost Boys is less interesting than it sounds. The feeble frequent attempts at comedy fail quite spectacularly, while the presence of vampires never sends a chill down one's spine. Granted the film has a magnificently glossy and opulent visual look. Like I said before the film also provides some decent effortless entertainment, but not much more can be said in its favour.
    The story of a teenager drawn to the dark side of vampirism possessed the potential to delve into adolescent issues seldom touched upon by mainstream horror cinema. Yet these facets are largely jettisoned by the obvious and ultimately formulaic script that plays things safe. Any subversive possibilities are typically tossed aside, instead replaced with standard genre thrills and overt humour. While this makes the film entertaining, it also ultimately renders it vapid. The Lost Boys flaunts a killer concept, but a more complex and intricate narrative should have permeated the proceedings.

    Also the film suffers from MTV syndrome. This marks the early days of annoying shaky cam with fast cutting. Schumacher's reliance on style over substance proves lethal (and not just for this film: he also went on to destroy the Batman movie franchise, leaving it dead for 8 years). The final showdown is perplexing beyond words. Characters disappear for periods of time without explanation, and the vampiric deaths are on the mystifying line between serious and comic.

    In essence, the film tries far too much in a compacted running time of about 95 minutes. There are too many characters that are inadequately fleshed out. The actors portraying the vampires try so hard to be hip and cool that they easily win our heart. But these are the villains of the picture, so there's something morally iniquitous if the actors allow us to like them. The script rarely gives the vampire villains a time to shine. If there are victims being killed, it's usually an irritating aerial shot. Ergo we don't find these vamps particularly scary or menacing. Go watch Max Schreck in Nosferatu for an effective vampire villain.
    Then there are the good guys. They, too, are easy to like. So there are two likeable factions and we have no idea who to cheer for.

    The unsatisfactory back-stories allotted to the characters offer yet another quandary. For example, why do the vampires choose this particular city out of the millions of others? There's also a problem of overcrowding with the presence of a small child vampire who has no reason to be there. Furthermore, why is the female love interest so intent on protecting the child? Those making the film probably figured that their target audience would never scrutinise the film that closely. Judging by the dedicated fans, their decision was probably spot-on. You'll find it difficult to thoroughly love The Lost Boys unless you're a teen of the 80s and cinematic nostalgia is your thing.

    At the time, the cast was made up of relative unknowns. The actors do their job of delivering lines and creating their characters. Worth mentioning more than anyone else is Kiefer Sutherland, in his breakthrough performance, with his cool 80s attire and haircut fashionable for the period. Sutherland was the only actor who went on to capitalise on his success in this flick. Others didn't do so well. Corey Feldman, for example, is so desperate for work these days that he starred in the direct-to-DVD sequel.

    Add me to the list of people who didn't find much value in The Lost Boys. After my ears were exposed to hyperbolic appraisal, I had expected something far superior to this. It's an anaemic attempt at a vampire flick that shifts tone so frequently that it becomes both jarring and disjointed. Had the film focused on being a dark vampiric fare and cut out the annoying young teens, The Lost Boys could have been something very special. But the failed humour simply deflates any atmosphere of dread, allowing it to become embarrassingly campy. It's a moderately enjoyable movie with a few clever ideas, but it lacks the pivotal elements required to create an effective genre film. Perhaps I'm being too harsh. Flaws aside though, it's slick fun and a pleasant time portal leading back to the 80s.

    Followed in 2008 by a direct-to-DVD sequel: Lost Boys: The Tribe.
  • stringmanmark09
    November 5, 2009
    stringmanmark09
    i remember when this came out,great soundtrack..
  • totalefreiheit
    November 5, 2009
    totalefreiheit
    Clasico de vampiros! Todavia me acuerdo de la musiquita.. jeje
  • vangelinaraven
    November 4, 2009
    vangelinaraven
    One of the original vampire films, how can you not love it?
  • formerwowaddic
    November 3, 2009
    formerwowaddic
    one of my favorite vamp movies
  • listofgoodmovies
    November 3, 2009
    listofgoodmovies
    This is definitely one of the best vampire movies, not only of the eighties but of all time! If you're like me and sick of all the latest vampire movies you should take a look at this http://www.ranker.com/list-of/film

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Critic Reviews

May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Did I mention both Coreys are in it? full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

When everything is all over, there's nothing to leave the theater with -- no real horrors, no real dread, no real imagination -- just technique at the service of formula. full review

View more The Lost Boys reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • FLossie32
    June 20, 2009
    FLossie32
    This has to be one of the beat vampire films ever, Jason Patric Corey Haim And Corey Feldman along with Kiefer Sutherland are great in this film ,i`ve lost count the amount of times i`ve actually seen it .
  • capolinaris
    July 28, 2008
    capolinaris
    were can i watch this?
  • JULIEeTOD
    July 21, 2008
    JULIEeTOD
    I saw this just now, and I think that this film is wonderful! I love all of it! Very exceting! SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! 5 stars on 5!
  • fiona72uk
    May 19, 2008
    fiona72uk
    I love this movie lost count on how many times I have watched it...
  • sportyqueen3
    February 12, 2008
    sportyqueen3
    I love the hippee skirt 'star' wears in this movie, does anyone have a picture of it that i can have? thanks everyone
  • Riverfan93
    December 29, 2007
    Riverfan93
    I love this movie! It's got everything good looking guys, funny parts, scary parts, and a good plot. It's got alot of famous actors in it. But, my favorite in this movie is Corey Haim. He's cute,funny,helpful to his older brother,and honest. This movie is awesome! 5 out of 5 stars!
  • firefighter3307
    October 12, 2007
    firefighter3307
    very good vampire movie it was so sexy add me please
  • madcat612
    October 11, 2007
    madcat612
    "AWWWE WHATSA MATTER MICHAEL, DONTCHA LIKE RICE?!"
  • hollo2971
    August 29, 2007
    hollo2971
    WHAT A FILM......... BEST EVER,SLEEP ALL DAY,PARTY ALL NIGHT,NEVER GROW OLD,NEVER DIE ,WOULDN`T IT BE FUN TO BE A VAMPIRE
  • freddiered
    August 17, 2007
    freddiered
    hey there guys!!!
    was just wondering if there is any way we can watch the dvd extras online for free...please let us know
    peace, love and lost boys
    xx
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The Lost Boys Trivia

  • which film has the slogan "Sleep All Day, Party All Night, It Must Be Fun To Be A Vampire"  Answer »
  • name the film this quote is from "You Dont Have to Beat me Michael, You Just Have to Keep up"  Answer »
  • What movie did Corey Haim and Corey Feldman star together to fight off the vampires  Answer »
  • Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland were in at least 2 movies in the 1980's. Which one's listed were they in together?  Answer »
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