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The Thing

Play trailer Poster for The Thing R 1982 1h 49m Horror Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Thing

The Thing

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Dec 30, 2025
3.5/4
Far and away the best film of John Carpenter's career. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Simon Feb 25, 2026 An absolute classic. Lovely to see it on 35mm. See more Taylor Oct 12, 2025 john Carpenter's The Thing is great fun. The practical effects and sound are perfection. See more Chris C Sep 12, 2025 Haven't watched this before. Held up quite well for being from early 80's. See more 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 See more 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. See more 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 See more Read all reviews
The Thing

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The Thing

The Thing: Official Clip - Why Don't We Wait Here, See What Happens The Thing: Official Clip - Why Don't We Wait Here, See What Happens 2:10 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - Chest Defibrillation The Thing: Official Clip - Chest Defibrillation 2:31 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - MacReady's Tape Recorder The Thing: Official Clip - MacReady's Tape Recorder 1:23 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - Warm Things Up a Little The Thing: Official Clip - Warm Things Up a Little 2:23 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - Tainted Blood Sample The Thing: Official Clip - Tainted Blood Sample 2:58 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - It's Weird and Pissed Off The Thing: Official Clip - It's Weird and Pissed Off 2:13 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - Tied to This Couch The Thing: Official Clip - Tied to This Couch 1:20 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - The Norwegian Dog Hunt The Thing: Official Clip - The Norwegian Dog Hunt 2:13 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - Human Mutant The Thing: Official Clip - Human Mutant 2:08 Now Playing The Thing: Official Clip - Blowing the Base The Thing: Official Clip - Blowing the Base 2:13 Now Playing View more videos

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The Thing

Poster Art The Thing (1982) A scene from John Carpenter's The Thing. A scene from John Carpenter's The Thing. A scene from John Carpenter's The Thing. A scene from John Carpenter's The Thing. A scene from John Carpenter's The Thing. The Thing (1982) The Thing (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

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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