The Thing

Play trailer

The Thing

1951

1h 27m

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

69 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When scientist Dr. Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite) reports a UFO near his North Pole research base, the Air Force sends in a team under Capt. Patrick Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) to investigate. What they find is a wrecked spaceship and a humanoid creature (James Arness) frozen in the ice. They bring their discovery back to the base, but Carrington and Hendry disagree over what to do with it. Meanwhile, the creature is accidentally thawed and begins wreaking havoc.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

As flying saucer movies go, The Thing From Another World is better than most, thanks to well-drawn characters and concise, tense plotting.

Read Critics Reviews

Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

Scenarist Charles Lederer has maintained an amazingly even keel, loading the dialogue with scientific jargon which sounded all right to these unscientific ears keeping it surprisingly natural under highly unnatural circumstances.

Sep 21, 2021

Full Review

Helen Bower

Detroit Free Press

On the whole the movie is far and away the most original and ingenious in this new category of pseudo-scientific entertainment.

Sep 21, 2021

Full Review

Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

Most of the principal roles are well handled, and the script is brightened by occasional bits of rather humorous banter. If you have a taste for this sort of pseudo-scientific stuff, this film is a fair sample.

Sep 21, 2021

Full Review

Alan Jones

Radio Times

A tense story of Arctic scientists trying to cope with the first of Hollywood's Cold War aliens.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 13, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

It’s not as true to the story as its brilliant remake, but this original film offers a energetic monster movie with a cast that makes you feel like you’re part of the team.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 8, 2023

Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

If anything, Nyby and Hawks' film will appeal to cinephiles or at least make for a few good mocking laughs.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 30, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Bill T.

The thing from another world was made in 1951 starring James arness. The the effects in this movie were typical of that year not too great but it was a black and white film and probably a very small budget. But if you like early 1950s movies in black and white sci-fi or thrillers then this is 1 you need to add to your watchlist. A little bit on the goofy side now that we’re in the year 2025 but I still recommend the watch to those who like older movies like this one happened to be on TCM.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/01/25

Full Review

Rocky M

Absolutely the single best sci fi movie ever. Its filming in black and white just adds to the tension which builds from first scene to last. You feel the isolation, tension and fear the characters experience not only physically but psychologically. Watch and enjoy....plus James Arness in one if his first roles is a bonus.....a must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 27 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In color or original black and white versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/25

Full Review

mean s

This is a solid film. It has aged well and was one of the very first Horror/ Sci-Fi films to stand out as a masterpiece. Make it one of the movies you watch during Halloween film fest.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

Full Review

That boi C

the story was well crafted and the script was a clever mix of suspense and humor, interesting twist abt the alien being a carrot

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

Full Review

Dave S

This film, along with "Them" is the PERFECT B&W SF double feature of the 50's in cinematic history. Both feature snappy dialogue, strong female characters, TONS of unsafe fire stunts and brilliant performances by the entire casts.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Christian Nyby

Director

Margaret Sheridan

Nikki

Kenneth Tobey

Captain Patrick Hendry

James Arness

Lt. Eddie Dykes

Robert Cornthwaite

Dr. Arthur Carrington

Douglas Spencer

Scotty

The Quiet Earth

71%

68%

The Quiet Earth

Watchlist

Quest for Love

40%

60%

Quest for Love

Watchlist

ARQ

43%

47%

ARQ

Watchlist

TRAILER

for ARQ

The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

100%

85%

The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

Watchlist

H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds

60%

23%

H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When scientist Dr. Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite) reports a UFO near his North Pole research base, the Air Force sends in a team under Capt. Patrick Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) to investigate. What they find is a wrecked spaceship and a humanoid creature (James Arness) frozen in the ice. They bring their discovery back to the base, but Carrington and Hendry disagree over what to do with it. Meanwhile, the creature is accidentally thawed and begins wreaking havoc.

Director: Christian Nyby
Producer: Howard Hawks
Screenwriter: Charles Lederer
Production Co: RKO Pictures
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 27m

Most Popular at Home Now