To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the mind of a madman.
Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
Cast
Jodie Foster
Clarice Starling
Anthony Hopkins
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Scott Glenn
Jack Crawford
Ted Levine
Jame Gumb
Anthony Heald
Dr. Frederick Chilton
Brooke Smith
Catherine Martin
Diane Baker
Senator Ruth Martin
Kasi Lemmons
Ardelia Mapp
Frankie Faison
Barney
Tracey Walter
Lamar
Charles Napier
Lt. Boyle
Danny Darst
Sgt. Tate
Alex Coleman
Sgt. Pembry
Dan Butler
Roden
Paul Lazar
Pilcher
Ron Vawter
Paul Krendler
Roger Corman
FBI Director Hayden Burke
Lawrence A. Bonney
FBI Instructor
Lawrence T. Wrentz
Agent Burroughs
Don Brockett
Friendly Psychopath
Frank Seals Jr.
Brooding Psychopath
Stuart Rudin
Miggs
Maria Skorobogatov
Young Clarice
Jeffrie Lane
Clarice's Father
Leib Lensky
Mr. Lang
George 'Red' Schwartz
Mr. Lang's Driver
Jim Roche
TV Evangelist
James B. Howard
Boxing Instructor
Bill Miller
Mr. Brigham
Chuck Aber
Agent Terry
Gene Borkan
Oscar
Pat McNamara
Sheriff Perkins
Kenneth Utt
Dr. Akin
Adelle Lutz
TV Anchor Woman
Obba Babatundé
TV Anchor Man
George Michael
TV Sportscaster
Jim Dratfield
Sen. Martin's Aide
D. Stanton Miranda
1st Reporter
Rebecca Saxon
2nd Reporter
Cynthia Ettinger
Officer Jacobs
Brent Hinkley
Officer Murray
Steve Wyatt
Airport Flirt
David Early
Spooked Memphis Cop
Andre B. Blake
Tall Memphis Cop
Bill Dalzell
Distraught Memphis Cop
Chris Isaak
SWAT Commander
Daniel von Bargen
SWAT Communicator
Tommy Lafitte
SWAT Shooter
Josh Broder
EMS Attendant
Buzz Kilman
EMS Driver
Harry Northup
Mr. Bimmel
Lauren Roselli
Stacy Hubka
Lamont Arnold
Flower Delivery Man
John Hall
State Trooper (uncredited)
Ted Monte
FBI Agent (uncredited)
George A. Romero
FBI Agent in Memphis (uncredited)
John W. Iwanonkiw
Orderly (uncredited)
Robert W. Castle
Priest on Chilton's Plane (uncredited)
Chris McGinn
Autopsy Victim (uncredited)
Gary Goetzman
Guido Paonessa (uncredited)
News
Brian Raftery Talks ‘Hannibal Lecter: A Life,’ Horror’s Oscar Moment, and the Future of Hannibal Lecter [Exclusive Interview]
Horror has produced many unforgettable monsters, but few have achieved the strange cultural immortality of Hannibal Lecter. Introduced in Red Dragon i...
Brian Raftery Talks ‘Hannibal Lecter: A Life,’ Horror’s Oscar Moment, and the Future of Media’s Most Refined Killer [Exclusive Interview]
Horror has produced many unforgettable monsters, but few have achieved the strange cultural immortality of Hannibal Lecter. Introduced in Red Dragon i...
Fathom Brings ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ Back to Theaters for Its 35th Anniversary!
If you thought Longlegs was scary, you have to see The Silence of the Lambs, especuially in theaters. The lineup […]
New Look at Charlize Theron in Netflix Survival Thriller ‘Apex’
Charlize Theron kayaks through the Australian wilderness in USA Today‘s new still from Apex, but nature isn’t the only thing out for blood — a serial...
- Release Date 02/14/1991
- Language English
- Director Jonathan Demme
- Editor Craig McKay
- Cinematographer Tak Fujimoto
- Producers Ron Bozman, Kenneth Utt, Edward Saxon
- Companies Orion Pictures, Strong Heart
- Budget $19,000,000
| Country | Date | Format | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Jan 30, 1991 | Premiere (New York City, New York) | R |
| United States | Feb 1, 1991 | Premiere (Century City, California) | R |
| Canada | Feb 14, 1991 | Theatrical | 18A |
| United States | Feb 14, 1991 | Theatrical | R |
| Germany | Feb 15, 1991 | Premiere (Berlin International Film Festival) | 16 |
| Italy | Mar 5, 1991 | Theatrical | T |
| NO | Mar 14, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| GR | Mar 22, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| SE | Mar 22, 1991 | Theatrical | 15 |
| FI | Mar 29, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| PE | Apr 4, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| France | Apr 10, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| Germany | Apr 11, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| AT | Apr 12, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| CH | Apr 12, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| Netherlands | Apr 12, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| CH | Apr 17, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| DK | Apr 19, 1991 | Theatrical | 15 |
| IL | Apr 26, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Australia | May 9, 1991 | Theatrical | MA 15+ |
| HK | May 10, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Brazil | May 17, 1991 | Theatrical | 14 |
| AR | Jun 6, 1991 | Theatrical | +16 |
| RS | Jun 7, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| IE | Jun 14, 1991 | Theatrical | 15 |
| Japan | Jun 14, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| South Korea | Jun 15, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| PH | Jun 16, 1991 | Theatrical | R-18 |
| Spain | Sep 4, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| PT | Sep 6, 1991 | Theatrical | M/16 |
| UY | Oct 1, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| TR | Oct 10, 1991 | Theatrical | 18+ |
| IN | Oct 11, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| XC | Oct 24, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Poland | Jan 10, 1992 | Theatrical | 18 |
| AR | Mar 5, 1992 | Theatrical (Re-release) | — |
| HU | Mar 27, 1992 | Theatrical | 18 |
| Germany | Apr 2, 1992 | Theatrical (Re-release) | — |
| South Korea | Apr 11, 1992 | Theatrical (Re-release) | 18 |
| Japan | Mar 17, 2001 | Theatrical (Re-release) | — |
| SE | Oct 3, 2001 | Physical (DVD release) | 15 |
| Netherlands | Apr 20, 2002 | TV (Net 5) | 16 |
| Netherlands | Jan 1, 2005 | Physical (DVD) | 16 |
| Russia | Feb 5, 2009 | Physical (DVD) | 16+ |
| Netherlands | Mar 18, 2009 | Physical (Blu ray) | 16 |
| Mexico | Apr 3, 2009 | Physical (DVD) | C |
| SE | Apr 15, 2009 | Physical (Blu-ray release) | 15 |
| Russia | Apr 23, 2009 | Physical (Blu-ray) | 16+ |
| IN | Sep 1, 2009 | Physical (Blu-ray) | A |
| AE | May 24, 2012 | Theatrical | — |
| Spain | Oct 21, 2014 | Theatrical (Limited) (Re-release) | — |
| PE | Jul 2, 2015 | Theatrical (Limited) (Re-release) | — |
| CL | Jul 8, 2015 | Theatrical (Re-release) | — |
| IE | Nov 3, 2017 | Theatrical (Re-release) | — |
| United Kingdom | Nov 3, 2017 | Theatrical (Re-release) | 15 |
| MO | Dec 9, 2017 | Premiere (International Film Festival & Awards Macao) | — |
| CN | Apr 16, 2018 | Premiere (Beijing International Film Festival) | — |
| France | Jun 20, 2018 | Theatrical (Restored version) | — |
| CN | Nov 28, 2018 | Digital (IQIYI) | — |
| LT | Oct 31, 2019 | Theatrical | N-16 |
| ID | Nov 1, 2019 | Digital | 17+ |
| CN | Jul 8, 2020 | Digital (bilibili) | — |
| TW | Jul 10, 2020 | Theatrical (4K重映) | 限制級 |
| Brazil | Feb 10, 2021 | Digital (VOD) | — |
| AE | Jul 4, 2021 | TV | — |
| SG | Aug 8, 2021 | Theatrical | — |
| Russia | Sep 16, 2021 | Theatrical | 18+ |
| Mexico | Oct 28, 2021 | Theatrical (Limited) (Re-release) | C |
| Brazil | Apr 29, 2022 | Digital (Prime Video) | — |
| SK | Jul 1, 2024 | Digital (VOYO) | 18 |
| CN | Sep 8, 2024 | Premiere (Aranya Waves Film Festival(4K)) | — |
| UA | Oct 17, 2024 | Theatrical | — |
| Germany | Nov 4, 2025 | Theatrical (Best of Cinema) | — |
The Silence of the Lambs Ratings
Overall
Overall rating of the media
Scares
How effective are the jump scares
Atmosphere
How immersive and tense is the atmosphere
Gore
Level and quality of gore/violence
Story
Quality of the storyline and plot
Special Effects
Quality of special/visual effects
Sound Design
Audio quality and sound effects
Pacing
Flow and timing of the narrative