Maximum Overdrive

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Maximum Overdrive

R

Released Jul 25, 1986

1h 37m

Horror

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14%

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14 Reviews

50%

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25,000+ Ratings

After a comet causes a radiation storm on Earth, machines come to life and turn against their makers. Holed up in a North Carolina truck stop, a group of survivors must fend for themselves against a mass of homicidal trucks. A diner cook, Bill Robinson (Emilio Estevez), emerges as the unlikely leader of the pack, attempting to find an escape plan for himself and the survivors, who include his boss, Bubba Hendershot (Pat Hingle), and a newlywed couple.

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Someone once said to me: “Stephen King didn’t direct this movie. Cocaine directed this movie.” And it certainly shows.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 27, 2024

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

Maximum Overdrive is minimum movie-making by no less a celebrity than best-selling horror writer Stephen King, here making his less-than-auspicious directorial debut.

Nov 6, 2019

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Austin Kennedy

Sin Magazine

Stephen King has admitted himself that he was coked out of his mind during the making of this. Well... duh!

Rated: 1.5/4

May 15, 2012

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Truck stop attacked by mechanical objects, including trucks, gone awry! Based on Stephen King story.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 14, 2009

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 22, 2005

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Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Rated: 2/5

May 6, 2005

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Jeffrey M

This is a great sci-Fi film. It did get a little cheesy over the years, but is still a great story with an excellent soundtrack by AC/DC

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Luke G

A one of a kind with an awesome soundtrack by ACDC. A grade? B grade? C grade? idk, Old school classic, and has Lisa Simpson :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

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mike p

Such a classic "bad" horror movie. Watched it when I was a real young kid and then again now that I'm 32 and it brought me back.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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Rae S

This is a movie that is so bad, but its honestly so funny. If you like to laugh at "scary" movies, this is for you. If you want to be scared, its not. If you like MST3k, then you'll enjoy this movie for that it is. Otherwise - you're gonna hate it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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Joshua H

A bit silly overall, maximum overdrive is sure to entertain regardless,Stephen king should stick to writing books.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Melissa M

I know this was Stephen King's directorial debut. And the movie was panned by critics. And there were few fans that actually liked the movie. I think it's awesome that Stephen King has a cameo in the film. I think it's cool then King makes Cameo appearances in his films. It's one of the best part of the movie. The soundtrack was killer. The only thing that would have made the movie more awesome is if AC/DC appeared in the film. Yardley Smith was in the film. With her in it the movie is was more of a horror comedy. I thought Emilio Estevez was pretty cool in the movie. He made the movie worth watching. The special effects were pretty cool for the time. I think it's unfair that they throw this movie under the bus. Then repeatedly run it over a couple of times. It really wasn't that bad of a film. And at least it had an imaginative storyline. I would actually pay $20 to see this movie. I can't say that about many movies today. Hollywood now it's mostly remakes. Or remakes of remakes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

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Stephen King

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Emilio Estevez

Bill Robinson

Pat Hingle

Bubba Hendershot

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Synopsis

After a comet causes a radiation storm on Earth, machines come to life and turn against their makers. Holed up in a North Carolina truck stop, a group of survivors must fend for themselves against a mass of homicidal trucks. A diner cook, Bill Robinson (Emilio Estevez), emerges as the unlikely leader of the pack, attempting to find an escape plan for himself and the survivors, who include his boss, Bubba Hendershot (Pat Hingle), and a newlywed couple.

Director: Stephen King
Producer: Martha De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Stephen King
Production Co: De Laurentiis
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.0M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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