The Thing

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The Thing

R

Released Jun 25, 1982

1h 48m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

92 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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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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Ernest Leogrande

New York Daily News

There are truly astonishing, stomach-turning creations that have the look of reality -- or unreality -- to them.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 6, 2025

Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Carpenter is still a master of dread and I don't think anyone will walk out of "The Thing" without having been genuinely frightened at least once.

Oct 2, 2025

Full Review

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

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Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

The characters are so characterless they can only be distinguished by whether they wear beards or not.

Oct 6, 2025

Full Review

Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

The Thing is The Thing. It stands as one of the best practical effects horror films of the 80s, which is saying a lot. The story has tension baked in, and John Carpenter sucks every drop of tension out of it.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 18, 2025

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

The B-movie premise is entirely elevated by the captivating cast, gruesome special effects, and overt embrace of paranoia.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 12, 2025

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Chris C

Haven't watched this before. Held up quite well for being from early 80's.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

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Kemp C

I've seen this move so many times and i never get tired of it. This movie pulls you in and won't let go, much like the thing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

William H

Not sure why this was showing in a theater. But Im happy it was. Ive seen The Thing so many times, but never once got to watch it on the big screen. Its always a great experience to watch classic horror movies on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

Stephan

It was a true pleasure to witness the phenomenal special fx on the big screen. The modern screening was crisp and clear. A true classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/25

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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

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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

The Thing: Official Clip - Why Don't We Wait Here, See What Happens

2:10

The Thing: Official Clip - Chest Defibrillation

2:31

The Thing: Official Clip - MacReady's Tape Recorder

1:23

The Thing: Official Clip - Warm Things Up a Little

2:23

The Thing: Official Clip - Tainted Blood Sample

2:58

The Thing: Official Clip - It's Weird and Pissed Off

2:13

The Thing: Official Clip - Tied to This Couch

1:20

The Thing: Official Clip - The Norwegian Dog Hunt

2:13

The Thing: Official Clip - Human Mutant

2:08

The Thing: Official Clip - Blowing the Base

2:13

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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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