The Thing

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The Thing

R

1982

1h 49m

Horror

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp, and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. A resourceful helicopter pilot and the camp doctor lead the camp crew in a desperate, gory battle against the vicious creature before it picks them all off, one by one.

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Critics Consensus

Grimmer and more terrifying than the 1950s take, John Carpenter's The Thing is a tense sci-fi thriller rife with compelling tension and some remarkable make-up effects.

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Ernest Leogrande

New York Daily News

Oct 6, 2025

2.5/4

There are truly astonishing, stomach-turning creations that have the look of reality -- or unreality -- to them.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Oct 2, 2025

Carpenter is still a master of dread and I don't think anyone will walk out of "The Thing" without having been genuinely frightened at least once.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Feb 16, 2024

The solemnity of the frozen wastes contrasts brilliantly with the sweaty paranoia of the men, who are unsure which of their colleagues is next going to erupt with hidden jaws and shooting tendrils.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 30, 2025

3.5/4

Far and away the best film of John Carpenter's career.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Oct 6, 2025

The characters are so characterless they can only be distinguished by whether they wear beards or not.

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 18, 2025

10/10

The Thing is The Thing. It stands as one of the best practical effects horror films of the 80s, which is saying a lot. The story has tension baked in, and John Carpenter sucks every drop of tension out of it.

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Simon

Feb 25, 2026

An absolute classic. Lovely to see it on 35mm.

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Taylor

Oct 12, 2025

john Carpenter's The Thing is great fun. The practical effects and sound are perfection.

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Chris C

Sep 12, 2025

Haven't watched this before. Held up quite well for being from early 80's.

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Kemp C

Sep 12, 2025

I've seen this move so many times and i never get tired of it. This movie pulls you in and won't let go, much like the thing

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William H

Sep 12, 2025

Not sure why this was showing in a theater. But Im happy it was. Ive seen The Thing so many times, but never once got to watch it on the big screen. Its always a great experience to watch classic horror movies on the big screen.

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Stephan

Sep 11, 2025

It was a true pleasure to witness the phenomenal special fx on the big screen. The modern screening was crisp and clear. A true classic

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John Carpenter

Director

Kurt Russell

R.J. MacReady

Wilford Brimley

Dr. Blair

T.K. Carter

Nauls

Richard Dysart

Dr. Copper

Richard Masur

Clark

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Synopsis

In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp, and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. A resourceful helicopter pilot and the camp doctor lead the camp crew in a desperate, gory battle against the vicious creature before it picks them all off, one by one.

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: David Foster, Lawrence Turman
Screenwriter: Bill Lancaster
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Turman-Foster Company
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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