MOVIHERO
Home/Discover/The Fly
The Fly movie poster

MOVIE DECISION GUIDE

The Fly

1986 · 1h 36m · Science Fiction · Horror

MOVIHERO READ

Steady, intense science fiction with a balanced watch profile. Best if you want supernatural tension and an atmosphere that gets under your skin.

86/100
WORTH IT

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

When brilliant, eccentric scientist Seth Brundle makes a huge technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a common housefly manages to get inside the device and the two become one.

Watch NowWatch trailer
86/100
WORTH IT
WORTH ITWhen brilliant, eccentric scientist Seth Brundle makes a huge technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a comm…

MAKE THE CALL

Does this belong in your night?

A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.

BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY

Is The Fly right for tonight?

Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.

How much time should I set aside?

The Fly runs 1h 36m. Allow extra time for breaks.

Is it slow or fast?

The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.

Is it a good choice when I am tired?

The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.

How emotionally intense is it?

The emotional-impact estimate is 4/10, suggesting a lighter emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.

CHANGE ONE THING

Like this, but...

These share a listed genre with The Fly. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.

But less demandingPlay House2026 · 1h 25m

Estimated attention required: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: horror.

WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU

01The setup points to a supernatural story built around unease and escalating threat
02A manageable 96-minute runtime and a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie define the practical movie-night fit
03Its 7.4/10 TMDB audience score across 5,156 votes gives the recommendation a meaningful crowd signal

QUICK DECISION GUIDE

Know the watch before you press play.

A fast read on the experience, then the reasons this movie may or may not fit your night.

01Pacing5/10
02Emotional Impact4/10
03Mind-Bending5/10
04Scary9/10
05Violence4/10
06Rewatchability7/10

PERFECT IF

01you want supernatural tension and an atmosphere that can get under your skin
02you want a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie
03you want something that looks easy to revisit later

THINK TWICE IF

01you are avoiding supernatural or frightening material tonight
02you want a very different pacing profile tonight
03you are avoiding strong scares

MOVIHERO AUDIENCE VERDICT

Was it worth your time?

Real votes from MoviHero viewers. No imported ratings.

MOVIHERO EDITORIAL

Should you watch The Fly?

The Fly belongs in your night if you want supernatural tension and an atmosphere that can get under your skin. It is a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie, with a manageable 96-minute runtime, and the Watch Profile puts attention at 6/10 and emotional impact at 4/10. The overall profile gives it a solid case when that experience matches your mood.

WATCH NOW

Watch The Fly Online

Compare reported U.S. streaming, free, rental and purchase options in one place.

United States

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Affiliate disclosure: Non-Amazon watch-provider links may be monetized through Sovrn Commerce. MoviHero may earn from qualifying clicks or purchases.

Prime trial offer is for eligible customers. Amazon terms and pricing can change; confirm the current offer before starting a trial.

Availability by JustWatch.

WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE

Watch Profile

Seven signals for the experience itself — from the pace of the night to how much attention it asks from you.

Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary9/10
Violence4/10
Rewatchability7/10
Attention Required6/10
The Fly still

WATCH A PREVIEW

Trailer

A CLOSER LOOK

Stay with the image.

The Fly still 1The Fly still 2The Fly still 3The Fly still 4The Fly still 5

CAST & CREW

The people who make it land.

David Cronenberg portrait
David CronenbergDirector
Jeff Goldblum portrait
Jeff GoldblumSeth Brundle
Geena Davis portrait
Geena DavisVeronica Quaife
John Getz portrait
John GetzStathis Borans
Joy Boushel portrait
Joy BoushelTawny
Leslie Carlson portrait
Leslie CarlsonDr. Cheevers
George Chuvalo portrait
George ChuvaloMarky
Michael Copeman portrait
Michael Copeman2nd Man in Bar
David Cronenberg portrait
David CronenbergGynecologist

CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE

Follow the character.

Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.

otherStathis BoransStathis Borans appears in The Fly (1986), portrayed by John Getz. This page focuses on that specific screen performance and the movie around it.Open character guide otherVeronica QuaifeVeronica Quaife appears in The Fly (1986), portrayed by Geena Davis. This page focuses on that specific screen performance and the movie around it.Open character guide otherSeth BrundleSeth Brundle appears in The Fly (1986), portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. This page focuses on that specific screen performance and the movie around it.Open character guide