The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a 2018 American dark fantasy comedy film directed by Eli Roth, based on the 1973 book by John Bellairs. Starring Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Owen Vaccaro, the film follows a young boy, Lewis, who is sent to live with his uncle, Jonathan, in a creaky, old house which he soon learns was previously inhabited by a villainous warlock. Universal Pictures released the film in the United States on September 21, 2018 and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released the film internationally. It was a box office success, grossing over $131 million worldwide and received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics who largely praised the cast, but said the film did not fully live up to its potential.