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Panic in Year Zero

Play trailer Poster for Panic in Year Zero 1962 1h 35m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
As the Baldwin family heads on vacation, their hometown of Los Angeles falls victim to a nuclear attack. Harry (Ray Milland), his wife, Ann (Jean Hagen), and their two teens head to their fishing retreat in the mountains, hoping to regroup and get more information. But they can't escape the frantic and irrational citizens, most of whom are dangerously deranged. Harry tries to stay calm during the nuclear-inspired end of days, but it's tempting to follow the masses' frenzied behavior.

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Panic in Year Zero

Critics Reviews

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Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Nov 22, 2024
4/5
‘…not exactly a first-person-shooter survivalist game, although Ray Milland looks quite comfortable with a shotgun in his hands…Milland actually makes something of Baldwin, clinging onto morals rather than politics, but prepared to act like a savage...' Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy May 7, 2016
3/4
[UPDATED 2024 REVIEW] A solid "B" flick, and its depiction of humanity post-apocalypse is startling in its harshness. Go to Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Mar 4, 2006
2/5
Mais um fruto da parania coletiva gerada pela Guerra Fria, o filme conta com algumas boas idias, mas esquemtico demais para aproveit-las a contento. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 8, 2005
2/5
Andy Klein Los Angeles CityBeat Jun 19, 2004
3/5
Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews May 14, 2004
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Bill B @RT01438538 Jul 18, 2026 The first half of the movie is engaging. Unfortunately the second half becomes stale as the plot gets weighed down and loses focus. See more Faizul M @Faizul Mar 7, 2026 Intensely engaging movie, with carefully written dialogues! This movie shows real-life like experiences a family can go through after a major disaster like a nuclear attack, very educational too from angles of how to cope up with the changed reality. See more Russ G @RT78760655 Feb 27, 2026 As soon as Milland sees the mushroom cloud and announces "we're going back" toward nuked LA, I was out'a there. This cheapie film was no "day at the beach" for teen idol Frankie Avalon. See more robert b @RT26413437 Oct 13, 2025 Still holding up quite well. Entertaining. See more Will G @Kingofthepixies Oct 11, 2025 Ray milland, action hero! And a good one. Low budget but punches well above it's weight. You don't need to spend millions to make a taut little actioner. See more Xian C. @Filmclass Jul 27, 2025 This is a good period piece illustrating how ordinary people might have responded to a nuclear attack. They are moral but on the offensive to stay safe. Worth a watch. See more Read all reviews
Panic in Year Zero

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Cast & Crew

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Ray Milland

Director

Ray Milland

Harry Baldwin

Jean Hagen

Ann Baldwin

Frankie Avalon

Rick Baldwin

Mary Mitchel

Karen Baldwin

Joan Freeman

Marilyn Hayes

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Panic in Year Zero

Panic in Year Zero (1962) Panic in Year Zero (1962) Panic in Year Zero (1962) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As the Baldwin family heads on vacation, their hometown of Los Angeles falls victim to a nuclear attack. Harry (Ray Milland), his wife, Ann (Jean Hagen), and their two teens head to their fishing retreat in the mountains, hoping to regroup and get more information. But they can't escape the frantic and irrational citizens, most of whom are dangerously deranged. Harry tries to stay calm during the nuclear-inspired end of days, but it's tempting to follow the masses' frenzied behavior.
Director
Ray Milland
Producer
Lou Rusoff
Screenwriter
Jay Simms
Production Co
American International Pictures (AIP)
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 5, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 28, 2017
Runtime
1h 35m
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