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The Crow

The Crow

Believe in angels.

1994102 minRMidcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Director
Alex Proyas
Starring
Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott

Exactly one year after young rock guitarist Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally killed by a ruthless gang of criminals, Draven, watched over by a hypnotic crow, returns from the grave to exact revenge.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Crow?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Crow streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video, Paramount+ via Prime Video, Peacock, Pluto TV (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Crow?

The Crow earns 13 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 5% in Action.

Show 5 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is The Crow worth watching?

The Crow's Midcredits score is the 94th percentile of all films, from 590K ratings across 6 sources. 81% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

94th percentile

Better received than 94% of films

97th percentile among Action94th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)93rd
Approval (how many liked it)91st

76 /100

93rd percentile of all films

97th percentile among Action95th percentile among 1990s

Critics 72 · Audience 76

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.7 — solid but not unanimous.

81% liked it

91st percentile of all films

94th percentile among Action92nd percentile among 1990s
81% rated it 7–1019% rated it 1–6

Critics 88% · Audience 90%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 4 wins / 8 noms overall

98th percentile

590K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Action97th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 4% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$23M
Opening weekend$12M
Domestic gross$51M
Worldwide gross$51M

Returned 2.2× its budget — 78th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree that The Crow is a straightforward revenge fantasy wrapped in heavy gothic style and a killer '90s soundtrack, but fans find that style and emotion elevate it while detractors see the plot as too simple to support the pretension.

Fans praised

  • Visually stunning gothic noir world with rain-soaked, perpetually dark atmosphere
  • Charismatic, emotionally resonant lead performance by Brandon Lee
  • Excellent soundtrack blending alt-rock, industrial, and goth tracks perfectly matched to tone

Detractors panned

  • Thin, formulaic revenge plot with no surprises or suspense
  • Hammy, overwrought dialogue that tries too hard to be poetic
  • One-dimensional cardboard villains and shallow character development

What stands out

Sound and musicDivisive90

Iconic alt-rock soundtrack and Graeme Revell's score universally praised as era-defining

AtmosphereDivisive88

Immersive gothic-noir world of perpetual night and rain, bleak and haunting

CinematographyDivisive85

Stunning gothic visuals, noir lighting, rain-soaked streets; some detractors call it style-over-substance music-video look

ActingDivisive78

Brandon Lee's charismatic, soulful performance as Eric Draven; supporting cast praised (Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Rochelle Davis) or panned as cartoonish

Emotional impactDivisive78

Love and loss themes resonate deeply with fans; detractors find it contrived or unearned

DialogueDivisive60

Witty one-liners and poetic quotes; also criticized as pretentious, pseudo-intellectual, or melodramatic

CharactersDivisive55

Simple revenge archetypes; heroes and villains described as two-dimensional, cardboard, or clichéd by detractors

Plot and storyDivisive50

Straightforward revenge narrative; described as predictable, formulaic, but emotionally effective by fans

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 13 points higher than under-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is The Crow like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be scared.

It is intense and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholicTriumphantElegiac
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Melodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.Romantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its gothic revenge fantasy completely straight, embracing the dark romanticism and comic-book stylisation with full sincerity.
The rideThe film maintains a dark, tense atmosphere punctuated by action, but the emotional weight peaks in the final confrontation and reunion with Shelly's spirit.
StructureThe story unfolds in a straightforward, linear sequence: Eric's resurrection, his hunt for each killer, and the final showdown. The narrative is told in order with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetRousing · 10% of filmsThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a lingering sense of melancholic triumph, tinged with the real-world tragedy of Brandon Lee's death, yet ultimately affirming that love endures beyond death.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

Why this archetypeEric Draven, a wronged man, rises from the grave to systematically destroy the gang that murdered him and his fiancée, culminating in a confrontation with the gang's leader, Top Dollar, who holds power over the city's underworld.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRevengeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% (this title) · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Revenge · 4% of filmsGrief · 6% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film is driven by Eric's all-consuming need to avenge the brutal murders of himself and his fiancée, with his grief and undying love for Shelly fueling his supernatural rampage.
StanceThe film takes Eric's revenge as righteous and cathartic, celebrating his love for Shelly as a force that conquers even death itself.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernElectronicRockForeground music · hybrid · Graeme Revell
SettingA rain-soaked, gothic-infused Detroit on Devil's Night, where crime lords rule the streets.
MusicBlends a gothic orchestral score with industrial and rock tracks to create a dark, atmospheric soundscape.

Content guide

Is The Crow okay for kids?

R

The Crow is rated R: “Rated R for a great amount of strong violence and language, and for drug use and some sexuality” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (86/100), sexual content at moderate (58/100), language at severe (86/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (87/100) and frightening material at severe (82/100). Overall it is heavier than 96% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 16 other countries
  • UK18
  • Canada18A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany18
  • France16
  • Ireland18
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Czechia15+
  • Greece15
  • Hungary18
  • ItalyT
  • Netherlands16
  • PortugalM/18
  • Russia18+
  • Spain18
Overall
Severe · all five categories
Heavier than 97% of all filmsHeavier than 96% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 76%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 70%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 84%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 96%
Frightening / Intense
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 82%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: drug and alcohol content, language, violence, and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Crow have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Crow?

Cast

4 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Brandon Lee
as Eric Draven
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rochelle Davis
as Sarah
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Ernie Hudson
as Sgt. Albrecht
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michael Wincott
as Top Dollar
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bai Ling
as Myca
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Sofia Shinas
as Shelly Webster
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Anna Thomson
as Darla
David Patrick Kelly
as T-Bird
Angel David
as Skank
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Laurence Mason
as Tin Tin
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Crow?

Movies like The Crow include The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005), The Crow: City of Angels (1996) and The Crow (2024). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by James O'Barr, and most are superhero films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its subject: revenge. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Crow?

787 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: superhero. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.