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The Thing

  • 1982
  • R
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
484K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
281
30
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
    484K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    281
    30
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster
      • John W. Campbell Jr.
    • Stars
      • Kurt Russell
      • Wilford Brimley
      • Keith David
    • 1.3KUser reviews
    • 311Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #149
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations

    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

    Photos196

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    + 190
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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 reviews1.3K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    One of the Most Re-Watchable Movies Ever Made

    Classic and timeless that is now almost 40 years old. Great cast and character interaction, and covers the whole gambit of genre's (sci-fi, action, horror, thriller, mystery). There are even a few comedy moments, and with it taking place in Antarctica, it could even be classified as an adventure. It is one of the most re-watchable movies ever made.
    • fullbug
    • May 28, 2021
    • Permalink

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    FAQ27

    • 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?
    • What were the jobs for each person stationed at Outpost #31?

    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
      • $19,857,465
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,107,897
      • Jun 27, 1982
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,630,135
    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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