Prince of Darkness

Directed by John Carpenter
R
1987    1h 42mHorror, Fantasy
6.759%61%6.8
Watch on Prime Video
On Prime Video
Buy $14.99Sponsored
A group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church, but when they open the container, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all humanity.
  • Donald PleasencePriest
  • Lisa BlountCatherine Danforth
  • Victor WongProf. Howard Birack
  • Jameson ParkerBrian Marsh
  • Dennis DunWalter
  • Susan BlanchardKelly
  • Anne Marie HowardSusan Cabot
  • Ann YenLisa
  • Ken WrightLomax
  • Dirk BlockerMullins
  • Jessie Lawrence FergusonCalder
  • Peter JasonDr. Paul Leahy
  • Robert GrasmereFrank Wyndham / Visual Effects Supervisor
  • Thom BrayEtchinson
  • Joanna MerlinBag Lady
  • Alice CooperStreet Schizo
  • Betty RameyNun
  • John CarpenterDirector / Screenplay / Original Music Composer
  • Shep GordonExecutive Producer
  • Larry FrancoProducer / First Assistant Director
  • Stephen GuerreroOctober 17, 2025
    Such an interesting film, grew up minutes from the church this was filmed at. It’s where the Pope used to stay when he came to Los Angeles, California. This was really quite unnerving when it came out, we saw it in the movie theater and it had people gasping and leaving the theater. I knew I was in for a good time when that started happening. I’ve loved this film ever since, raised my 3 kids on John Carpenter films and am hoping to do the same for ALL OF my grandchildren as well.
  • gooserex3d ago
    Perfect 80s horror thriller.
  • Andy Davidson | folknhell.comAugust 18, 2025
    Prince of Darkness is a long, slow panic attack. With a body of work like John Carpenter's, it's not easy to pick a favourite. But this is the one I keep coming back to and it never fails to chill me to the bone.
  • Michael HeimgartnerFebruary 2, 2025
    “Prince of Darkness (1987) by John Carpenter is a strange but engaging horror film. While the acting is hit-or-miss and the ‘students’ look far too old, the film remains consistently entertaining. It features an eerie premise, gruesome kills, and some bizarre twists that keep things interesting. The true standout, however, is the incredible score, which adds a haunting atmosphere. The ending left me guessing, making it a solid, if flawed, experience.
  • Steve ZodiacMay 18, 2026
    A near miss because of a inconsistent story-line and pedestrian, unimaginative ending The movie only comes alive when actor "JESSIE LAWRENCE FERGUSON" is let lose. Director John Carpenter underutilized the strongest actor of the entire film, FERGUSON should have been the lead of what was an otherwise very weak cast 🎬
  • Ben RaynerMay 10, 2026
    A real John Carpenter outlier. Good creepy atmosphere, a refreshingly original approach to the Satanic AND Alice Cooper impaling a dude with a bike. What more do you need?
  • FranBizMay 13, 2025
    Such a great film if you follow John Carpenter's career in the 80s. You'll see a lot of cast regulars like Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Victor Wong (Big Trouble in Little China), and Peter Jason (a lot of John Carpenter's films). This movie also has a unique approach for the titular character. Instead of just being a Satan that we know from the Bible, the devil is depicted from a scientific point of view, which I thought was interesting. I also enjoyed the dream scenes and music. Definitely worth a watch
  • DigitalDisappointmentFebruary 10, 2026
    Such unbelievably terrible crap, you won't believe what you're watching made it to film.
  • NiztradamusFebruary 4, 2026
    I understand that this movie is giving you nostalgia but this movie, to me, is God awful. Let me tell you why: The acting is horrible, the science doesn't make any sense and more importantly, the movie is just boring. There are some nice practical effects, I'll give the movie that but that doesn't help much when the rest is just awful. I cannot in good conscience recommend this movie.
  • cultfilmlikerJuly 22, 2025
    Didn’t realize I had seen this before until about 20 minutes in. How did I not recognize Alice Cooper the first time? lol Between this and The Spiral Staircase, I’ve drifted off to sleep world no less than 10 times today.

Watch Prince of Darkness Videos

  • Prince Of Darkness
    Prince Of DarknessTrailer

Prince of Darkness Trivia

Get Plex on Your Devices

Free on 20+ platforms. Pick yours.
See all supported devices →