Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Mystery thriller

Happy Birthday to Me (1981): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Happy Birthday to Me (1981) movie poster

Happy Birthday to Me is a 1981 mystery thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson, starring Frances Hyland, Melissa Sue Anderson and Jack Blum. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. Critics gave it 24 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Metascore
24
Loading streaming availability…
Happy Birthday to Me (1981) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
J. Lee Thompson
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Happy Birthday to Me About?

The premise of Happy Birthday to Me without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young woman trying to move on from a difficult breakup finds comfort in her independence and new friendships in a bustling city. However, her newfound peace is threatened when she becomes entangled in a dangerous mystery involving hidden forces and unsettling secrets that plunge her into a web of suspense.

Happy Birthday to Me Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • victim invited to dinner
  • slasher
  • female killer
  • birthday party
  • video nasty
  • psychotronic film
  • canuxploitation
  • four word title
  • slasher killer
  • mysterious killer
  • characters killed one by one
  • characters murdered one by one
+38 more
  • serial murder
  • violence
  • female protagonist
  • murder of friend
  • ambiguous ending
  • cult film
  • title sung by character
  • stabbed to death
  • teen horror
  • teen slasher
  • traumatized protagonist
  • protagonist becomes antagonist
  • serial killer as protagonist
  • stalker
  • giallo
  • fireplace poker as a weapon
  • trapped in car underwater
  • bridge
  • rain
  • birthday cake
  • cottage
  • female antagonist
  • fireplace poker
  • slasher horror
  • b horror
  • table
  • dinner table
  • birthday
  • college students
  • college campus
  • female star appears in underwear
  • teenage girl in a shower
  • female bare back
  • girl wears a shirt with no pants
  • hit in the groin
  • attacked from behind
  • upskirt
  • stabbed
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Happy Birthday to Me Cast

Frances Hyland leads the cast, with Melissa Sue Anderson and Jack Blum. Directed by J. Lee Thompson; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from J. Lee Thompson

More films directed by J. Lee Thompson, best-rated first: Cape Fear, The Guns of Navarone, Death Wish 4: The Crackdown and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.

Full filmography
Ratings

Happy Birthday to Me Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Happy Birthday to Me 24 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

Plot

Happy Birthday to Me Plot Summary

What happens in Happy Birthday to Me from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At Crawford Academy in Massachusetts, life takes a dark turn for Bernadette, portrayed by Lesleh Donaldson, as she leaves her night classes to meet friends. After a tense encounter with the strict headmistress, Mrs. Patterson, played by Frances Hyland, she is attacked in her car by a mysterious figure clad in black gloves. Feigning death momentarily, Bernadette manages to escape but not before the attacker tragically slashes her throat with a straight razor.

Full summary

The whole story of Happy Birthday to Me, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Happy Birthday to Me Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Happy Birthday to Me (1981) ORIGINAL TRAILER
  • Trailer Happy Birthday to Me ≣ 1981 ≣ Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Happy Birthday to Me?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character of the film?

Cars

Cars in Happy Birthday to Me

26 cars on screen, including the 1981 Honda CR 450 R and the 1979 Suzuki RM 400.

All 26 cars
  • 1981 Honda CR 450 R in Happy Birthday to Me 1981 Honda CR 450 R Important role
  • 1979 Suzuki RM 400 in Happy Birthday to Me 1979 Suzuki RM 400 Important role
  • 1977 Volkswagen Rabbit I Typ 17 in Happy Birthday to Me 1977 Volkswagen Rabbit I Typ 17 Important role
  • 1978 Audi 5000 C2 in Happy Birthday to Me 1978 Audi 5000 C2 Minor role
Details

Happy Birthday to Me Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “'n Moord Verjaardag” and “С днём рождения меня”.

Also known as
  • 'n Moord Verjaardag
  • С днём рождения меня
  • Ab in die Ewigkeit
  • Compleanno di sangue
  • Happy birthday, souhaitez ne jamais être invité
  • Feliz Aniversário Para Mim
  • Boldog születésnapom
  • Kanlı Yaş Günü
  • Cumpleaños mortal
  • 해피 버스데이 투 미
  • 祝我生日快乐
  • Feliz cumpleaños para mi
+3 more
  • Všechno nejlepší k mým narozeninám
  • Blodig fødselsdag
  • Upiorne urodziny

Seen Happy Birthday to Me?

FAQ

Happy Birthday to Me FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Happy Birthday to Me, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Happy Birthday to Me?

Happy Birthday to Me runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Happy Birthday to Me released?

Happy Birthday to Me was released on May 15, 1981.

Who directed Happy Birthday to Me?

Happy Birthday to Me was directed by J. Lee Thompson.

More films by J. Lee Thompson

Who is in the cast of Happy Birthday to Me?

Happy Birthday to Me stars Frances Hyland, Melissa Sue Anderson and Jack Blum, among 10 credited actors.

How is Happy Birthday to Me rated?

Happy Birthday to Me has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 24 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Happy Birthday to Me have a post-credit scene?

No. Happy Birthday to Me has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app