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The Thing

  • 19821982
  • RR
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
412K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
159
375
The Thing (1982)
Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.
Play trailer1:54
4 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Horror
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
412K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
159
375
  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • Bill Lancaster(screenplay)
    • John W. Campbell Jr.(story)
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Wilford Brimley
    • Keith David
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • Bill Lancaster(screenplay)
    • John W. Campbell Jr.(story)
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Wilford Brimley
    • Keith David
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.2KUser reviews
    • 377Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #160
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos4

    The Thing
    Trailer 1:54
    The Thing
    How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right
    Clip 3:47
    How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Clip 4:54
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 36
    Video 29:47
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 36

    Photos179

    Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Donald Moffat, and Joel Polis in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell and Charles Hallahan in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    T.K. Carter, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, and Donald Moffat in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell, T.K. Carter, and Donald Moffat in The Thing (1982)
    Charles Hallahan in The Thing (1982)
    Charles Hallahan in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • MacReadyas MacReady
    Wilford Brimley
    Wilford Brimley
    • Dr. Blairas Dr. Blair
    • (as A. Wilford Brimley)
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Childsas Childs
    Richard Masur
    Richard Masur
    • Clarkas Clark
    T.K. Carter
    T.K. Carter
    • Naulsas Nauls
    David Clennon
    David Clennon
    • Palmeras Palmer
    Richard Dysart
    Richard Dysart
    • Dr. Copperas Dr. Copper
    Charles Hallahan
    Charles Hallahan
    • Vance Norrisas Vance Norris
    Peter Maloney
    Peter Maloney
    • George Benningsas George Bennings
    Donald Moffat
    Donald Moffat
    • Garryas Garry
    Joel Polis
    Joel Polis
    • Fuchsas Fuchs
    Thomas G. Waites
    Thomas G. Waites
    • Windowsas Windows
    • (as Thomas Waites)
    Norbert Weisser
    Norbert Weisser
    • Norwegianas Norwegian
    Larry Franco
    Larry Franco
    • Norwegian Passenger with Rifleas Norwegian Passenger with Rifle
    Nate Irwin
    • Helicopter Pilotas Helicopter Pilot
    William Zeman
    • Pilotas Pilot
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Computeras Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    John Carpenter
    John Carpenter
    • Norwegian (video footage)as Norwegian (video footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster(screenplay)
      • John W. Campbell Jr.(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Carpenter has stated that of all his films, this is his personal favorite.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 20 mins) Although Fuchs has told them that the alien organism is highly infective, they don't care about sharing the same knife to get their blood samples.
    • Quotes

      [Norris' head grows legs and tries to walk away]

      Palmer: [1:17:22] You gotta be fuckin' kidding.

    • Crazy credits
      The title of the movie is revealed in the same style as in The Thing from Another World (1951). The effect was achieved with a plastic bag placed on a stencil that was melted by a heat source placed below it.
    • Alternate versions
      CBS edited 12 minutes from this film for its 1986 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Edited into Deep Freeze (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Don't Explain
      Music by Billie Holiday (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Arthur Herzog Jr. (uncredited)

      Performed by Billie Holiday

      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews1.2K

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Finally getting recognition.
    I am ashamed to say it, but I have to admit, the first time I saw this film was only about a year ago. After seeing it, I immediately rushed out and bought the DVD collectors' edition and have watched it many times since.

    The film is terrific on many levels. It works as your straight monster or action type film, as a horror/sci-fi and also as a very intriguing look into the human psyche. The incredible sense of paranoia, mistrust and fear, lent not only by Carpenter's direction (which is stunning) but also by the incredible acting of the cast in general. Kurt Russell (obviously) is spectacularly understated in the lead role of MacReady, and, as a direct result he "feels" like a real person, rather than a hollywood "all american hero". The other cast members all carry off their roles with style, and the net result is an intensely believable atmosphere, and a truly fantastic film.
    helpful•386
    59
    • mcseph
    • Sep 29, 2001

    FAQ61

    • At the beginning, the helicopter is trying to shoot the dog as it runs through the snow. Why doesn't the helicopter just hover over the dog instead of flying way past the dog after each pass? Does it have anything to do with the cold air or altitude?
    • Why did the Norwegians dig the crater in the first place?
    • Is the prequel canon?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 25, 1982 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Norwegian
    • Also known as
      • John Carpenter's The Thing
    • Filming locations
      • Juneau, Alaska, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Turman-Foster Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,629,760
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,107,897
      • Jun 27, 1982
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,632,715
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

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