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The Cabin in the Woods

The Cabin in the Woods is a 2011 American science fiction comedy horror film directed by Drew Goddard in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Cabin in the Woods is a 2012 American science fiction comedy horror film directed by Drew Goddard in his feature directorial debut. Written by Goddard and produced by Joss Whedon, it stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford. The plot follows a group of college students whose weekend trip to a remote cabin is manipulated by technicians in an underground facility.

Plot

The story follows college students who travel to a remote cabin and encounter monsters and other threats. The film gradually reveals that their experience is being orchestrated by technicians working in an underground control centre.

Production

The film was directed by Drew Goddard and produced by Joss Whedon, with both credited as screenwriters. It was Goddard’s first feature film as a director.

Release and reception

The film premiered in December 2011 and was released theatrically in the United States on April 13, 2012. Sources describe it as a critical and commercial success. The film is available to Canadian audiences and is listed by a Canada-based streaming/catalogue source as a Canada, United States production.

Cast

The principal cast includes Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford.

Key facts

  • It was directed by Drew Goddard, in his directorial debut.
  • Joss Whedon produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Goddard.
  • The plot centers on five college students sent to a remote cabin while unseen operators control events from a hidden facility.
  • The film premiered in December 2011 and was released in U.S. theatres on April 13, 2012.
  • It combines horror with comedy and science-fiction elements.
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Canadian context

The film is available to Canadian audiences and is listed by a Canada-based streaming/catalogue source as a Canada, United States production.[9]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Cabin in the Woods?
It is a 2012 American science fiction comedy horror film directed by Drew Goddard and co-written by Goddard and Joss Whedon.
Who directed The Cabin in the Woods?
Drew Goddard directed the film in his feature directorial debut.
Who wrote The Cabin in the Woods?
The screenplay was written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon.
Who stars in The Cabin in the Woods?
The film stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford.
When was The Cabin in the Woods released?
It was released in the United States on April 13, 2012.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cabin_in_the_Woods
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, plot, premiere, and U.S. release date.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/
    Supports: Short plot description and cast listing.
  3. AFI Watch — https://watch.afi.com/movie/the-cabin-in-the-woods
    Supports: Country listing, runtime, genres, release date, and cast.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_cabin_in_the_woods
    Supports: Genre, runtime, release date, and box office gross.
  5. FilmAffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film637438.html
    Supports: Plot summary and cast.
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsIilFNNmkY
    Supports: Official trailer details identifying the film, director, producers, and cast.