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Red Dawn

Play trailer 1:22 Poster for Red Dawn PG-13 1984 1h 54m Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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 and Matt Eckert escape with friends to the forest. With their father, Tom, 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 to take back their town.
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Red Dawn

Red Dawn

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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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Critics Reviews

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Neil Jillett The Age (Australia) 05/03/2022
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. Go to Full Review Kirk Ellis The Hollywood Reporter 08/14/2018
It packs plenty of rabble-rousing ammunition, but its sloppy execution is unlikely to win any merit badges for marksmanship. Go to Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire 04/14/2017
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. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 11/17/2024
2/4
Red Dawn‘s grip on the viewer is slowly-but-surely loosened as it progresses into a sluggish and increasingly uninvolving midsection... Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 03/19/2024
1.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 09/21/2022
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Daniel F @RT14036283 Jun 21 This is an iconic 80s movie. I think you needed to have lived through the 80s and the Cold War to truly understand the fear and commentary this was based on. I can guarantee that most people giving this movie a low rating are under 30. See more W. N. W @Meanypunches Apr 27 I always enjoyed watching this movie since I was a teenager watching it on HBO in the 80s. Yes it is overwrought and hyperbolic. Still the performances are great and the story is solid. Milius knew what he was doing. If you want to know how we won the Cold War it is the spirit here and not the letter of the script that carries the day. Worth a watch for fans of Milius and 80s cinema. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 7 Successful action-packed movie in 1 hour and 54 minutes. Ages 13 and older. See more Steven F. @SteveGotScored Mar 5 Such a classic action movie! See more Ernestas R @Calicifer Dec 19 Red Dawn is at least watchable movie and it wouldn't be that bad if it wouldn't be as long as it's. Movie has everything about poor cinema. No-name actors, poor props and special effects, bad writing, cliches. It has out of place feminism placements of women not wanting to watch dishes and how awful man is. Likewise, a father after their sons leave starts screaming "AVENGE ME" from a semi open camp for dissidents. It completely ignored the mood it set moments before and was delivered in such ridiculous manner. Likewise, there are a lot of scenes which have no point and could be cut off. A lot of pointless tension and idle time when nothing much is happening or they are building suspense to nothing much. Movie might had its cultural time back then, but now it's outdated with no redeeming cultural significance. I don't think that it deserves either 1 star or 5 stars like a lot of 'critics' gave them. It speaks more ill about how bad they are at their own hobby than about the movie. See more William D. @Williams0604 Oct 5 This is a great movie. I would recommend it to anyone as a must watch. See more Read all reviews
Red Dawn

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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Red Dawn

Red Dawn: Official Clip - Liberating the Prison Camp Red Dawn: Official Clip - Liberating the Prison Camp 2:46 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Guerilla Warfare Red Dawn: Official Clip - Guerilla Warfare 3:14 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Paratrooper Invasion Red Dawn: Official Clip - Paratrooper Invasion 3:18 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Tank Duel Red Dawn: Official Clip - Tank Duel 3:02 Red Dawn: Official Clip - God Help Me Red Dawn: Official Clip - God Help Me 3:09 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Helicopter Ambush Red Dawn: Official Clip - Helicopter Ambush 2:30 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Avenge Me Red Dawn: Official Clip - Avenge Me 3:28 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Vaya Con Dios Red Dawn: Official Clip - Vaya Con Dios 2:49 Red Dawn: Official Clip - Robert's Last Stand Red Dawn: Official Clip - Robert's Last Stand 1:44 View more videos

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Red Dawn

Red Dawn: Trailer 1 Red Dawn: Trailer 1 1:22 View more videos
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Red Dawn

Red Dawn (1984) Red Dawn (1984) Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." Production still from the MGM film "Red Dawn." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In an alternate 1980s, the United States stands alone as communism grows stronger. When Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town, brothers Jed and Matt Eckert escape with friends to the forest. With their father, Tom, 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 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