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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

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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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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Ed Potton

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

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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

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

Incredible atmosphere and simple effective thrills

Nov 3, 2024

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Alex H

everything about this movie rules

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

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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

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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

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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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