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Manhunter

Play trailer Poster for Manhunter R 1986 2h 0m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 124 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecter and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).
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Manhunter

Manhunter

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Critics Consensus

Michael Mann introduces audiences to Hannibal Lecter for the first time in Manhunter, a modish thriller that fleshes out Thomas Harris' heinous creations with an elegant, chilling detachment.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Sep 24, 2026
4/5
Manhunter is a brash, queasy, bold thriller; yet for me, it is a curtain-raiser for the main event. Go to Full Review Alexander Walker London Evening Standard Aug 15, 2026
Mann is a real film-maker -- one who tells a story through what you see and, worse, what you imagine. It's a serial-killer thriller of quite unusual mood, intelligence and surprise. Go to Full Review Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times Aug 15, 2026
It's only later, safely out of its grasp, that you begin to notice that for all its perverse fascination, and save for two superlative performances, Manhunter has delivered very little. Go to Full Review Trevor Leavell Pop Culture Leftovers Sep 25, 2026
This new cut isn’t anything radical like Scott’s final cut of Blade Runner. An exceptional grade elevates Dante Spinotti’s moody photography to new, striking levels, making it feel like you’re watching the movie for the first time all over again. Go to Full Review Jack Hawkins HeyUGuys Sep 24, 2026
4/5
The new 4K restoration is the definitive version of a genre stalwart, sharpening its painterly cinematography. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 1, 2026
3/4
Manhunter is celebrated as a pioneering psychological thriller and a precursor to the now-common forensic procedural. But some of Mann’s choices, and several extratextual factors, still prevent me from fully connecting with it. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lyle Jul 27, 2026 Excellent restoration! See more Callie B @atolgiraffe 11 hrs ago I feel like I've betrayed Mads and Hugh :( See more Oliver C @OliverClose 3 days ago Manhunter is crime cinema stripped to its nerve. Michael Mann fills the frame with cold light, hard edges, and men who live too close to darkness. William Petersen gives Will Graham a haunted center, while Tom Noonan makes Francis Dollarhyde a figure of raw menace. The writing cuts deep. The dialogue says little and means more. The case becomes an obsession. The hunter enters the mind of the hunted, and the line between them starts to disappear. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 25, 2026 Manhunter = a*4* star Movie! See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Sep 22, 2026 While "The Silence of the Lambs" was bloodily dampened to amplify its supposedly tactically crafted disturbance, this indirect filmic predecessor shows director Michael Mann furthering his craft with influential chills professionally executed but stylistically hindered over imbalance focus. (B) See more J H @UpstateNYThriller Sep 3, 2026 8.6/10 1980 Serial Killer Great movie Movie about retired FBI agent who is looking for new ritual killer. Original iteration of Hannibl Lecter See more Read all reviews
Manhunter

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Mann

Director

William Petersen

Will Graham

Kim Greist

Molly Graham

Dennis Farina

Jack Crawford

Joan Allen

Reba

Brian Cox

Dr. Lecktor

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Manhunter

Manhunter: Exclusive Movie Clip - Become God Manhunter: Exclusive Movie Clip - Become God 1:57 Now Playing View more videos

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Manhunter

Manhunter (1986) Manhunter (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecter and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).
Director
Michael Mann
Producer
Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter
Michael Mann
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Columbia, Sony Pictures Classics
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 22, 1986, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 24, 2026
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$163.0K
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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