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The Return of the Living Dead

Play trailer Poster for The Return of the Living Dead R Released Aug 16, 1985 1h 31m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When foreman Frank (James Karen) shows new employee Freddy (Thom Mathews) a secret military experiment in a supply warehouse, the two klutzes accidentally release a gas that reanimates corpses into flesh-eating zombies. As the epidemic spreads throughout Louisville, Ky., and the creatures satisfy their hunger in gory and outlandish ways, Frank and Freddy fight to survive with the help of their boss (Clu Gulager) and a mysterious mortician (Don Calfa).
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The Return of the Living Dead

The Return of the Living Dead

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Critics Consensus

A punk take on the zombie genre, The Return of the Living Dead injects a healthy dose of '80s silliness to the flesh-consuming.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Hewitt (UK) Empire Magazine Essential, enormous fun. Rated: 4/5 Jun 6, 2012 Full Review Simon Abrams House Next Door The Return of the Living Dead is in fact the real deal. Feb 25, 2011 Full Review Variety Staff Variety O'Bannon deserves considerable credit for creating a terrifically funny first half-hour of exposition, something in which he is greatly aided by the goofball performance of James Karen as a medical supply know-it-all. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The makeup effects are tremendous, and Calfa and especially Karen are hilarious as working stiffs (no pun intended). Rated: 3/4 Feb 15, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Part spoof comedy, part kitschy horror, The Return of the Living Dead was tailor-made to achieve cult status. Rated: 3/4 Apr 9, 2022 Full Review Chris Plante Polygon The Return of the Living Dead is the most 1980s zombie movie ever made and I say that as a compliment. Mostly. Nov 2, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jaxon P. The 2nd best zombie movie imo a lot of fun Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Brian S One of the best zombie movies of all time. Great practical effects, awesome soundtrack, funny and scary moments mixed to perfection. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/19/25 Full Review Grant B. This is my favorite zombie movie of all time it is a timeless classic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny horror in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/04/25 Full Review Macaulay G An absolute all-timer! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review MikesReviewsArt n *Rough Thoughts* 89% Heard all the buzz finally get to see it. Does something new with the zombie genre smart zombies out wit the dumb humans and they talk. Changes the zombie mythos they don’t die, shooting or stabbing the head like traditional. You have to disintegrate them. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Return of the Living Dead

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Movie Info

Synopsis When foreman Frank (James Karen) shows new employee Freddy (Thom Mathews) a secret military experiment in a supply warehouse, the two klutzes accidentally release a gas that reanimates corpses into flesh-eating zombies. As the epidemic spreads throughout Louisville, Ky., and the creatures satisfy their hunger in gory and outlandish ways, Frank and Freddy fight to survive with the help of their boss (Clu Gulager) and a mysterious mortician (Don Calfa).
Director
Dan O'Bannon
Producer
Tom Fox
Screenwriter
Dan O'Bannon
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Cinema 84, Hemdale, Greenberg Brothers Partnership, Fox Films Ltd.
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 16, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 31m
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