The Serpent and the Rainbow
1988, English. Directed by Wes Craven.
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.
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.4/10 from 581 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch The Serpent and the Rainbow
The Serpent and the Rainbow isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online.
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Amazon VideoAvailability in India as of 11 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Wes CravenDirector
- Bill PullmanDennis Alan
- Cathy TysonMarielle Duchamp
- Zakes MokaeDargent Peytraud
- Paul WinfieldLucien Celine
- Brent JenningsLouis Mozart
- Conrad RobertsChristophe
- Badja DjolaGaston
- Theresa MerrittSimone
- Michael GoughSchoonbacher
- Paul GuilfoyleAndrew Cassedy
- Dey YoungMrs. Cassedy
- Aleta MitchellCelestine
Details
- Released
- 5 February 1988
- Country
- United States of America, Haiti, Dominican Republic
- Written by
- Richard Maxwell, Adam Rodman
- Budget
- $11M
- Box office
- $20M
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What The Serpent and the Rainbow is based on
The Serpent and the Rainbow is based on The Serpent and the Rainbow, a 1985 novel by Wade Davis.
Novel · 1985
The Serpent and the Rainbow
By Wade Davis
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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The Serpent and the Rainbow: quick answers
Is The Serpent and the Rainbow worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.4/10 from 581 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Serpent and the Rainbow?
The Serpent and the Rainbow runs 98 minutes (1h 38m).
Does The Serpent and the Rainbow have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Serpent and the Rainbow. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Serpent and the Rainbow parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Serpent and the Rainbow is rated R in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Serpent and the Rainbow on?
The Serpent and the Rainbow isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Serpent and the Rainbow?
If you liked The Serpent and the Rainbow, try The Believers, The Haunting in Connecticut, The Sacrament.
Who directed The Serpent and the Rainbow?
The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) was directed by Wes Craven and stars Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson, Zakes Mokae.
What is The Serpent and the Rainbow based on?
The Serpent and the Rainbow is based on The Serpent and the Rainbow, a 1985 novel by Wade Davis.