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The Thing

  • 1982
  • R
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
498K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
394
48
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
8 Videos
99+ Photos
Alien InvasionBody HorrorMonster HorrorSupernatural HorrorTragedyHorrorMysterySci-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.

  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • Bill Lancaster
    • John W. Campbell Jr.
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Wilford Brimley
    • Keith David
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    498K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    394
    48
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster
      • John W. Campbell Jr.
    • Stars
      • Kurt Russell
      • Wilford Brimley
      • Keith David
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 319Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #148
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos8

    The Thing
    Trailer 1:54
    The Thing
    How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right
    Clip 3:47
    How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right
    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
    The Thing: Kill It!
    Clip 3:10
    The Thing: Kill It!
    The Thing: It's Alive!
    Clip 3:20
    The Thing: It's Alive!
    The Thing: Interviews With Mick Garris And Director John Carpenter
    Featurette 1:54
    The Thing: Interviews With Mick Garris And Director John Carpenter

    Photos191

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    + 185
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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • MacReady
    Wilford Brimley
    Wilford Brimley
    • Blair
    • (as A. Wilford Brimley)
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Childs
    Richard Masur
    Richard Masur
    • Clark
    T.K. Carter
    T.K. Carter
    • Nauls
    David Clennon
    David Clennon
    • Palmer
    Richard Dysart
    Richard Dysart
    • Dr. Copper
    Charles Hallahan
    Charles Hallahan
    • Norris
    Peter Maloney
    Peter Maloney
    • Bennings
    Donald Moffat
    Donald Moffat
    • Garry
    Joel Polis
    Joel Polis
    • Fuchs
    Thomas G. Waites
    Thomas G. Waites
    • Windows
    • (as Thomas Waites)
    Norbert Weisser
    Norbert Weisser
    • Norwegian
    Larry Franco
    Larry Franco
    • Norwegian Passenger with Rifle
    Nate Irwin
    • Helicopter Pilot
    William Zeman
    • Pilot
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    John Carpenter
    John Carpenter
    • Norwegian (video footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster
      • John W. Campbell Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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

      Garry: [1:26:18] I know you gentlemen have been through a lot, but when you find the time, I'd rather not spend the rest of this winter TIED TO THIS FUCKING COUCH!

    • 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 reviews1.4K

    Featured review

    The Thing holds up better and better every year

    The Thing does a great job at holding my attention throughout. It has just enough to gross me out while making me wonder if the person next to me is an alien.

    The idea that this movie was made in the early 80s and it took years to be reevaluated before being well received just tells you how ahead of his time Carpenter is. Kurt Russell is one of my favorite actors from the pre2000s and this is a good example of why.

    It's one of those special movies I can't get enough of. Every viewing feels like the first. I can't be the only one who feels the same amount of dread and uncertainty every time I watch it.
    • DanTheButler
    • Dec 14, 2022
    • Permalink

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    FAQ43

    • How long is The Thing?Powered by Alexa
    • 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?
    • What were the jobs for each person stationed at Outpost #31?
    • Why are there oil drums laying on the ground just outside the base?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 25, 1982 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Languages
      • English
      • Norwegian
    • Also known as
      • La cosa del otro mundo
    • Filming locations
      • Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Turman-Foster Company
      • Province of BC, Ministry of Tourism, Film Promotion Office
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,063,820
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,107,897
      • Jun 27, 1982
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,836,881
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • 70 mm 6-Track
      • DTS
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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