The Elephant Man poster

The Elephant Man

A true story of courage and human dignity.

8.0(4,099)19802h 4m10

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity.

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Status
Released
Budget
$5M
Box office
$26M
Language
English
  • friendship
  • london, england
  • escape
  • nurse
  • exploitation
  • biography
  • based on true story
  • tragedy
  • hospital
  • black and white
  • period drama
  • social injustice

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

David Lynch

Produced in

United States of America, United Kingdom

Where to watch

All options

Availability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremierePGNew York City2 Oct 1980
    • TheatricalPG10 Oct 1980
    • PhysicalPGCriterion Collection, DVD and Blu-ray29 Sept 2020
  • United KingdomGB

    • Theatrical (limited)PGLondon9 Oct 1980
    • TheatricalPG16 Oct 1980
    • Theatrical (limited)12ABFI London Film Festival (4K restoration )13 Oct 2019
  • United Arab EmiratesAE

    • PhysicalDVD6 Apr 2020
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalM16 Jan 1981
  • CanadaCA

    • Theatrical14A10 Oct 1980
  • ArgentinaAR

    • Theatrical+1311 Dec 1980
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical1022 Dec 1980
    • Theatrical (limited)10São Paulo, São Paulo, CineSesc (Retrospectiva Do Onírico ao Real – Uma Homenagem a David Lynch) (4K Restored Version)21 Feb 2025
  • ChileCL

    • Theatrical (limited)Re-release27 Oct 2015
  • ChinaCN

    • PremiereBeijing International Film Festival16 Apr 2026
  • ColombiaCO

    • Theatrical30 Sept 1982
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Theatrical (limited)12+Projekt 10015 Jan 2004
    • Theatrical (limited)12+Re-release, 4K restored2 May 2024
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical1127 Feb 1981

Frequently asked questions

The Elephant Man was released on 9 October 1980.

Audience reviews

2
  • W

    Wuchak

    7/2/2020

    7/10

    _**The ultimate outcast**_ In 1884 London, a doctor (Anthony Hopkins) meets Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man (wrongly called John Merrick in the film) who was being exploited as a freak show attraction. Treves (Hopkins) tries to help Merrick (John Hurt) for the last six years of the latter’s life wherein he becomes cultured, but he inevitably remains an object of curiosity, to high society as well as low socie…

  • C

    CinemaSerf

    6/7/2023

    8/10

    Saw this, recently up-converted to 4K at the London Film Festival and, apart from the clear improvements to the quality and detail of the image, I was reminded of just how good it is. Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft play their roles with engaging sincerity - very ably supported by Sir John Gielgud and Dame Wendy Hiller. Prosthetics aside, John Hurt captures both the despair and optimism of Merrick with empathetic s…

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