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Them!

Play trailer Poster for Them! 1954 1h 34m Sci-Fi Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, Sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) finds a young girl (Sandy Descher) who is unable to speak. As Peterson joins forces with FBI agent Robert Graham (James Arness) and scientist Dr. Harold Medford (Edmund Gwenn), he discovers that all the incidents are due to giant ants that have been mutated by atomic radiation. Peterson and Graham, with the aid of the military, attempt to find the queen ants and destroy the nests before the danger spreads.
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Them!

Them!

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Critics Consensus

One of the best creature features of the early atomic age, Them! features effectively menacing special effects and avoids the self-parody that would taint later monster movies.

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Critics Reviews

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Dorothy Masters New York Daily News Sep 28, 2021
3/4
There is added conviction in performance and dialogue, both of which are particularly good for a production largely designed for chilling spines. Go to Full Review Philip K. Scheuer Los Angeles Times Sep 28, 2021
In the parking lot outside the [theater], I came upon a bustling colony of ants near a crack in the sidewalk. I gave them a wide berth. I had just seen their oversized brothers and sisters in action... and I wanted no more trouble with them. Go to Full Review Leonard Lerner Boston Globe Sep 28, 2021
The picture has all the necessary ingredients mixed in the proper proportions to make it a top-notch thriller. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 4, 2025
3.5/4
The best of all the “giant creature” movies that flooded theaters during the 1950s. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jul 1, 2025
4/5
Them! is a great sci-fi film, getting straight to the point of human malfeasance; a warning about leaving an open door to more enviromental damage seems bang on the money...the equivalent of James Cameron’s Aliens, a robust, full-throttle action movie... Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 25, 2022
4.5/5
The genre holds a special place in my heart, and “THEM!” was the quintessential big bug movie. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 3 days ago Them! = a *4* star Movie! See more Ollie W @RT90619198 Jul 29, 2026 The giant ants are fun but far too rarely make an appearance. This film unexpectedly is more like a police procedural than a disaster creature feature. I found it rather dull. The special effects are impressive for the time and are rather charming. I wanted epic action and cataclysmic destruction and mayhem like a retro Starship Troopers. The film desperately needed some gore. It has its moments but its too long. See more Mickey B. @Rocketman64 Jun 2, 2026 Top ten of sci fi movies from the 50s very well acted and written, james whitmore always delivers in anything he's done. See more Christopher H. @BananaCramps Mar 22, 2026 Interesting influence on Alien See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Dec 6, 2025 A really old movie about radioactive mutated ants. That's why I watched it. Love the poster art. I actually paired this with Phantom of the Paradise. Makes a cool combo. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 30, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in color and black and white versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Them!

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Cast & Crew

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Gordon Douglas

Director

James Whitmore

Police Sgt. Ben Peterson

Edmund Gwenn

Dr. Harold Medford

Joan Weldon

Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford

James Arness

Robert Graham

Onslow Stevens

Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien

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Them!

Them! (1954) Them! (1954) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, Sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) finds a young girl (Sandy Descher) who is unable to speak. As Peterson joins forces with FBI agent Robert Graham (James Arness) and scientist Dr. Harold Medford (Edmund Gwenn), he discovers that all the incidents are due to giant ants that have been mutated by atomic radiation. Peterson and Graham, with the aid of the military, attempt to find the queen ants and destroy the nests before the danger spreads.
Director
Gordon Douglas
Producer
David Weisbart
Screenwriter
Russell S. Hughes, Ted Sherdeman
Distributor
Cinema Classics, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 19, 1954, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 7, 2008
Runtime
1h 34m
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