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The Thing

Play trailer Poster for The Thing R Released Jun 25, 1982 1h 48m Horror Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 87 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. A resourceful helicopter pilot (Kurt Russell) and the camp doctor (Richard Dysart) lead the camp crew in a desperate, gory battle against the vicious creature before it picks them all off, one by one.
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The Thing

The Thing

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Critics Consensus

Grimmer and more terrifying than the 1950s take, John Carpenter's The Thing is a tense sci-fi thriller rife with compelling tension and some remarkable make-up effects.

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Critics Reviews

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Ed Potton The Times (UK) The solemnity of the frozen wastes contrasts brilliantly with the sweaty paranoia of the men, who are unsure which of their colleagues is next going to erupt with hidden jaws and shooting tendrils. Feb 16, 2024 Full Review Wael Khairy RogerEbert.com Every October, I revisit John Carpenter’s “The Thing” to celebrate the month of Halloween, and every year I arrive at the same conclusion: it's one of the most effective horror films ever made. Sep 28, 2022 Full Review Scott Cain Atlanta Journal-Constitution Such a pity. John Carpenter is too gifted a moviemaker to let nauseating special effects take over his biggest film, but that's what happened in The Thing. Rated: 2/5 Nov 9, 2021 Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Buried upon its release by another extra-terrestrial story, the GOAT remake perfectly blends science fiction and horror into a still-arresting symphony of terror. Christopher Lloyd Rated: 5/5 Mar 17, 2025 Full Review Thaddeus Buttrey Loud and Clear Reviews In my eyes, The Thing is as perfect as a movie can get: it knows exactly what it wants to be and what it’s trying to do, and succeeds on every level I can conceive. Rated: 5/5 Dec 12, 2024 Full Review Rachel Wagner Hallmarkies Podcast Incredible atmosphere and simple effective thrills Nov 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alex H everything about this movie rules Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/25 Full Review BenG John Carpenter and Kurt Russell are the best! Great Scifi/Horror movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/25 Full Review steve Absolute horror classic! Must watch for sci/fi horror suspense fans. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/25 Full Review benjamin b best horror movie ever made Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/23/24 Full Review V-LO Suspense at its best in this version from director John Carpenter. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/24 Full Review fitzbizdev L Epic, brilliant and a classic. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Thing

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Cast & Crew

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John Carpenter

Director

Kurt Russell

R.J. MacReady

Wilford Brimley

Dr. Blair

T.K. Carter

Nauls

Richard Dysart

Dr. Copper

Richard Masur

Clark

Movie Clips

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The Thing

The Thing: Official Clip - Why Don't We Wait Here, See What Happens The Thing: Official Clip - Why Don't We Wait Here, See What Happens 2:10 The Thing: Official Clip - Chest Defibrillation The Thing: Official Clip - Chest Defibrillation 2:31 The Thing: Official Clip - MacReady's Tape Recorder The Thing: Official Clip - MacReady's Tape Recorder 1:23 The Thing: Official Clip - Warm Things Up a Little The Thing: Official Clip - Warm Things Up a Little 2:23 The Thing: Official Clip - Tainted Blood Sample The Thing: Official Clip - Tainted Blood Sample 2:58 The Thing: Official Clip - It's Weird and Pissed Off The Thing: Official Clip - It's Weird and Pissed Off 2:13 The Thing: Official Clip - Tied to This Couch The Thing: Official Clip - Tied to This Couch 1:20 The Thing: Official Clip - The Norwegian Dog Hunt The Thing: Official Clip - The Norwegian Dog Hunt 2:13 The Thing: Official Clip - Human Mutant The Thing: Official Clip - Human Mutant 2:08 The Thing: Official Clip - Blowing the Base The Thing: Official Clip - Blowing the Base 2:13 View more videos

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The Thing

The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. A resourceful helicopter pilot (Kurt Russell) and the camp doctor (Richard Dysart) lead the camp crew in a desperate, gory battle against the vicious creature before it picks them all off, one by one.
Director
John Carpenter
Producer
David Foster, Lawrence Turman
Screenwriter
Bill Lancaster
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Turman-Foster Company
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 25, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2012
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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