Videodrome
“First it controls your mind. Then it destroys your body.”
Synopsis
As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon "Videodrome," a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Original TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2022-07-29
Top Cast
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James Woods
Max Renn
Debbie Harry
Nicki Brand
Sonja Smits
Bianca O'Blivion
Peter Dvorsky
Harlan
Leslie Carlson
Barry Convex
Jack Creley
Brian O'Blivion
Lynne Gorman
Masha
Julie Khaner
Bridey
Reiner Schwarz
Moses
David Bolt
Raphael
Lally Cadeau
Rena King
Henry Gomez
Brolley
Harvey Chao
Japanese Salesman
David Tsubouchi
Japanese Salesman
Kay Hawtrey
Matron
Sam Malkin
Sidewalk Derelict
Bob Church
Newscaster
Jayne Eastwood
Woman Caller
Release History & Theatrical Window
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
June 19, 2014
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 21, 2004
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$6M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$2.1M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
0.36x
-$3.8M deficit
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- David Cronenberg
- Screenplay & Story
- David Cronenberg
- Original Score
- Howard Shore
- Original Title
- Videodrome
- Country of Origin
- Canada
- Spoken Languages
- English, Japanese
- Runtime
- 1h 28m
- Production Budget
- $6M
- Worldwide Gross
- $2.1M
- Production Studios
- Filmplan International
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg
Howard Shore
Mark Irwin
Ronald Sanders
Pierre David, Victor Solnicki, Claude Héroux
Department Leadership Roster
Ronald Sanders
Editor
David Cronenberg
Director
Howard Shore
Original Music Composer
David Cronenberg
Writer
Delphine White
Costume Design
Claude Héroux
Producer
Mark Irwin
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 18 — Restricted to adults 18 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Videodrome.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Videodrome.
FILMS
4K
UHD movies
Movie Collection
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (All editions 2003-2024). A cumulative list including films subsequently removed in later editions. Totaling 1,260 films as of Nov 2024. 《1001部死前必看的电影》（2003-2024 全版本累积版）： 包含自2003年首版至2024年11月德语版修订的所有影片。即使在后期版本中被剔除的电影也予以保留。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#019] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#418] Dekalog (1989) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:40:36 UTC+8)*
S&S Critics - Greatest Films
Sight and Sound Greatest Films of All Time 2022 (Critics' Poll). Every decade the Sight and Sound team asks critics to name the greatest films of all time. Here are the results of the 2022 poll – the largest ever, with 1,639 critics, programmers, curators, archivists and academics each submitting their top ten ballot - and now updated with the complete list. 《视与听》2022年影评人评选影史百大电影（含并列完整版）： 由 1639 位影评人、策展人及学者共同票选的影史最伟大电影。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#152] Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) • [#171] Out 1 (1971) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:37:09 UTC+8)*
TSPDT - 1000 Greatest Films
They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? (TSPDT) - The 1,000 Greatest Films. A definitive meta-list aggregating thousands of critics' polls, historical rankings, and director top 10s to represent the ultimate critical consensus in cinema history. TSPDT 影史最伟大的1000部电影： 全球最权威的电影元榜单，由该网站汇总世界各大电影刊物历史评选结果及数千名影评人、学者的个人十佳榜单，通过算法加权计算得出的终极共识。 *片单说明：* 本片单只收录纯电影，以下剧集或迷你剧不予收录： • [#335] Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) • [#514] Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) • [#614] Edvard Munch (1974) • [#703] The Sorrow and the Pity (1969) • [#890] Elephant (1989) • [#925] Heimat (1984) • [#968] Doomed Love (1978) 以下作品在 TMDB 被拆分为多个独立电影条目；本片单按作品/章节顺序连续收录，且每个分拆条目均沿用同一 TSPDT 名次： • [#171] Dekalog (1989) — 展开为 10 部电影 • [#988] Olympia (1938) — 展开为 2 部电影 *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:30:01 UTC+8)*
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Frequently Asked Questions About Videodrome
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Videodrome about?
As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon "Videodrome," a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.
Who directed Videodrome?
Videodrome was directed by David Cronenberg.
Who stars in Videodrome?
The principal cast of Videodrome includes James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky, Leslie Carlson.
When was Videodrome released and how long is it?
Videodrome was released in 1983 with a total runtime of 1h 28m.
What was the box office and production budget of Videodrome?
Videodrome had a reported production budget of $6M and grossed $2.1M at the worldwide box office (0.36 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).
Who composed the musical score for Videodrome?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Videodrome was composed by Howard Shore.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Videodrome?
Videodrome holds official age classifications: AU: R 18+; CA: 18A; DE: 18 (FSK 18 — Restricted to adults 18 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); GB: 18 (Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).