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The Fly

The Fly is a 1986 American science fiction body horror film directed and co-written by David Cronenberg.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Fly is a 1986 American science fiction body horror film directed and co-written by David Cronenberg. It stars Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, and John Getz, and is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name. The story follows a scientist whose teleportation experiment causes him to gradually transform into a human-fly hybrid.

Plot

The film centers on a scientist whose teleportation technology appears to work until he accidentally fuses with a housefly during an experiment. As the transformation progresses, his body and mind deteriorate into a fly-human hybrid.

Production

David Cronenberg directed and co-wrote the film, reimagining the earlier 1958 adaptation rather than adapting the short story directly. The film was produced by Brooksfilms and distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Reception

The Fly was released in 1986 to positive critical response and strong box-office performance. It is widely regarded as one of Cronenberg's best-known films and a major body horror title.

Awards

The film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup at the 1987 ceremony. Its makeup effects were a major part of its critical and popular reputation.

Key facts

  • The Fly is a 1986 remake of the 1958 film The Fly.
  • It is based loosely on George Langelaan's 1957 short story of the same name.
  • The film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup in 1987.
  • It is considered one of Cronenberg's best-known films and a major body horror title.
  • It was a commercial success, grossing $60.6 million at the box office.
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Canadian context

David Cronenberg is a Canadian filmmaker, and The Fly is one of the most internationally recognized films associated with Canadian cinema through its director.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Fly about?
It follows a scientist whose teleportation experiment causes him to slowly transform into a human-fly hybrid.
Who directed The Fly?
David Cronenberg directed the 1986 film.
Is The Fly a remake?
Yes. It is a remake of the 1958 film The Fly.
Who stars in The Fly?
The film stars Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, and John Getz.
When was The Fly released?
It was released in the United States on August 15, 1986.
Did The Fly win any awards?
Yes. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup in 1987.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fly_(1986_film)
    Supports: Release date, director, cast, plot summary, box office, and that it is a 1986 remake based on George Langelaan's story.
  2. Toronto International Film Festival / Canadian Film Encyclopedia — https://cfe.tiff.net/canadianfilmencyclopedia/essays/the-fly
    Supports: Cronenberg's involvement, critical and commercial success, and Academy Award for Best Makeup.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Fly-film-by-Cronenberg
    Supports: 1986 film overview, premise, remake status, and general reception.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, cast, and plot synopsis.