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Red Dawn

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1:22

Red Dawn

PG-13

Released Aug 10, 1984

1h 54m

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In an alternate 1980s, the United States stands alone as communism grows stronger. When Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town, brothers Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) escape with friends to the forest. With their father, Tom (Harry Dean Stanton), a prisoner of the invading army, the children decide to fight against the Soviets. As the country comes under increasing attack, the group teams up with Lt. Col. Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) to take back their town.

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Critics Consensus

An appealing ensemble of young stars will have some audiences rooting for the Wolverines, but Red Dawn's self-seriousness can never conceal the silliness of its alarmist concept.

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Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

The right of people to abuse their freedom by making and showing a film as cynically provocative as Red Dawn is part of the price the rest of us must pay for living in a democracy.

May 3, 2022

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Kirk Ellis

The Hollywood Reporter

It packs plenty of rabble-rousing ammunition, but its sloppy execution is unlikely to win any merit badges for marksmanship.

Aug 14, 2018

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

When it was released in late summer of 1984, it was a big hit, which shouldn't come as a surprise; this was the year when Reagan won the presidency in a landslide, and if nothing else, 'Red Dawn' plays like a Reaganite masturbatory fantasy.

Apr 14, 2017

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Red Dawn‘s grip on the viewer is slowly-but-surely loosened as it progresses into a sluggish and increasingly uninvolving midsection...

Rated: 2/4

Nov 17, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

No amount of warm and fuzzy ‘80s nostalgia can save this head-smackingly stupid action romp about a bunch of Colorado teens squaring off against Commie invaders.

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 19, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

One could regard Milius’ treatment as almost mythic, his manner and characters spare, his ending grim and reflective on the historical pattern of occupying powers and the forces that resist them.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 21, 2022

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Frank F

It's not a perfect movie but I love the concept even if it's wild. It's a huge nostalgia hit. So many great young actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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j e

It's aggressively trash. It has the energy of 32 car pile up, it just keeps getting worse.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Exo S

This is one of the most interesting movies to come out of the 80's. It is an important time capsule that all Americans should see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Frans B

It is a MOVIE. Forget politics and that nonsense. Cast is great in character, the cinematography is great (remember, made in the 80's). Story and screenplay is well, a story. But enjoyable, lots of action and some great twists.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

David R

Growing up in the 80’s in the United States our fear of war with Russia was real. While it wasn’t likely to occur as an invasion of the US like Red Dawn portrayed, it does capture alot of the sentiment of the time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

Jerry T

You have to think of the times and the cold war when watching. Great movie but the people that don't have a clue likes rainbows and cotton candy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

Full Review

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John Milius

Director

Patrick Swayze

Jed Eckert

C. Thomas Howell

Robert Morris

Lea Thompson

Erica

Charlie Sheen

Matt Eckert

Jennifer Grey

Toni

Red Dawn: Official Clip - Liberating the Prison Camp

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Guerilla Warfare

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Paratrooper Invasion

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Tank Duel

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - God Help Me

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Helicopter Ambush

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Avenge Me

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Vaya Con Dios

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Red Dawn: Official Clip - Robert's Last Stand

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Red Dawn: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In an alternate 1980s, the United States stands alone as communism grows stronger. When Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town, brothers Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) escape with friends to the forest. With their father, Tom (Harry Dean Stanton), a prisoner of the invading army, the children decide to fight against the Soviets. As the country comes under increasing attack, the group teams up with Lt. Col. Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) to take back their town.

Director: John Milius
Producer: Sidney Beckerman, Buzz Feitshans
Screenwriter: John Milius, Kevin Reynolds
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 10, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround

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