Cujo
Performance & Direction: Cujo Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Cujo (1983) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Cujo features a noteworthy lineup led by Dee Wallace . Supported by the likes of Danny Pintauro and Daniel Hugh Kelly , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Cujo
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1983, Cujo is a Horror, Thriller film directed by Lewis Teague. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Dee Wallace.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. A friendly St. Bernard named "Cujo" contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town. Director Lewis Teague uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Dee Wallace's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Cujo
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Lewis Teague, Cujo concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Dee Wallace, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Cujo reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Cujo?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Dee Wallace or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: Cujo
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $5.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $21.2M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Cujo Budget
The estimated production budget for Cujo is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Cujo
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Where to Watch Cujo Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoCujo Parents Guide & Age Rating
1983 AdvisoryWondering about Cujo age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Cujo is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, Cujo is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1983 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cujo worth watching?
Cujo is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Cujo parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Cujo identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Cujo?
The total duration of Cujo is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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Critic Reviews for Cujo
Barmy Bernard. Stephen King’s Cujo was brought to the screen and met with indifference back in 1983, yet it’s aged surprisingly well and comes out as one of the better “mad animal” movies that followed in the wake of Jaws. A big cuddly St. Bernard dog is bitten on the nose by a bat, cops a serious bout of Hydrophobia and then terrorises anyone in its path. Which spells bad news for Donna Trenton (Dee Wallace) and her young son Tad (Danny Pintauro), who have the misfortune to be stuck in a battered old Pinto that has broken down in Cujo’s territory. Lewis Teague directs with no little skill here, wringing out pot loads of tension and inserting genuine moments of terror as mother and son literally fight for their lives. There’s a school of thought that the film’s first half could have been trimmed, for this is the area that defines the Trenton’s as a family. Donna has been having an affair and her husband Vic (Daniel Hugh-Kelly) has found out, so for forty minutes we are investing in family strife and foundation building of the key characters. This is judged perfectly, because once Cujo is unleashed on Donna and Tad, it throws up a number of emotional connections to not only the humans, but also the dog as well. Wallace and Pintauro are excellent, providing the film with its beating heart as they prove to be a believable mother & son pairing. Teague meanwhile uses some invention with his camera work, though never to the detriment of claustrophobic terror. Elements of the source novel have been left out, while the ending – unfortunately in this viewer’s opinion – has been changed, but this is a tightly wound horror and it’s well due re-evaluation in this day and age of franchise sequels and remakes. Could have done with more of those bats though, they are awesome! 7/10
This was solid and unexpectedly fulfilling--perhaps because I'm a cat enthusiast and am neutral towards dogs to begin with. My 13-year-old son and I enjoyed it very much. I haven't read the book yet, so it's unnecessary for enjoyment of the movie IMHO. Worth both a purchase and rewatching for genre aficionados.
God I forgot how fuckin' annoying that kids screaming is... Mad props to the titular Cujo, but I think this particular King adaptation maybe doesn't hold up as well as I thought it might. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
