The Serpent and the Rainbow
“Don't Bury Me...I'm Not Dead!”
A Harvard anthropologist is sent to Haiti to retrieve a strange powder that is said to have the power to bring human beings back from the dead. In his quest to find the miracle drug, the cynical scientist enters the rarely seen netherworld of walking zombies, blood rites and ancient curses. Based on the true life experiences of Wade Davis and filmed on location in Haiti, it's a frightening excursion into black magic and the supernatural.
Where to watch The Serpent and the Rainbow in United States
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open The Serpent and the Rainbow there. Availability last verified on July 11, 2026.
Where is The Serpent and the Rainbow streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | Amazon Video |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Canada | — | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| France | — | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Japan | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, FOD |
About The Serpent and the Rainbow
The Serpent and the Rainbow is a 1988 English-language horror and thriller film directed by Wes Craven. The cast is led by Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson, Zakes Mokae. It has a runtime of 1h 38m. Viewers rate it 6.4/10 across 600 ratings. In United States, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
The Serpent and the Rainbow was produced by Universal Pictures and made in United States of America and Haiti. It was released on February 5, 1988, and carries a R certification. Made on a budget of about $11 million, it went on to gross $20 million worldwide.
- Director
- Wes Craven
- Writers
- Adam Rodman, Richard Maxwell
- Release date
- February 5, 1988
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- R
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America, Haiti
- Budget
- $11 million
- Box office
- $20 million
- Production
- Universal Pictures
The Serpent and the Rainbow cast & crew
The Serpent and the Rainbow was directed by Wes Craven and written by Adam Rodman and Richard Maxwell.
The cast features Bill Pullman as Dennis Alan, Cathy Tyson as Marielle Duchamp, Zakes Mokae as Dargent Peytraud, Paul Winfield as Lucien Celine, Brent Jennings as Louis Mozart, and Conrad Roberts as Christophe.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Brad Fiedel, cinematography is by John Lindley, and it was produced by Keith Barish and Rob Cohen.
Is The Serpent and the Rainbow worth watching?
The Serpent and the Rainbow holds an audience score of 6.4/10 from 552 ratings, a solidly received horror films.
At 1h 38m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy horror and thriller, The Serpent and the Rainbow is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The Serpent and the Rainbow
The Serpent and the Rainbow isn't on a subscription service in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of The Serpent and the Rainbow
Bill Pullman
Dennis Alan
Cathy Tyson
Marielle Duchamp
Zakes Mokae
Dargent Peytraud
Paul Winfield
Lucien Celine
Brent Jennings
Louis Mozart
Conrad Roberts
Christophe
Badja Djola
Gaston
Theresa Merritt
Simone
Michael Gough
Schoonbacher
Paul Guilfoyle
Andrew Cassedy
Dey Young
Mrs. Cassedy
Aleta Mitchell
Celestine
The Serpent and the Rainbow — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The Serpent and the Rainbow in United States?
The Serpent and the Rainbow is not on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
▸What language is The Serpent and the Rainbow in?
The Serpent and the Rainbow is originally in English, with audio tracks including French, English, Spanish. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The Serpent and the Rainbow?
The Serpent and the Rainbow runs 1 hours 38 minutes (98 minutes).
▸What is The Serpent and the Rainbow rated?
The Serpent and the Rainbow is rated R. It holds a 6.4/10 audience score from 552 ratings.
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