The Thing

1982
X
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

8.2/10

495K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

351

Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.

Play trailer1:54

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99+ Photos

Alien Invasion Body Horror Monster Horror Supernatural Horror Tragedy Horror Mystery Sci-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

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.2/10

495K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

351

Director
- John Carpenter
Writers
- Bill Lancaster
- John W. Campbell Jr.
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Top rated movie #147

Awards
- 5 nominations total

Top cast21

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Kurt Russell

MacReady

Wilford Brimley

Blair
(as A. Wilford Brimley)

Keith David

Childs

Richard Masur

Clark

T.K. Carter

Nauls

David Clennon

Palmer

Richard Dysart

Dr. Copper

Charles Hallahan

Norris

Peter Maloney

Bennings

Donald Moffat

Garry

Joel Polis

Fuchs

Thomas G. Waites

Windows
(as Thomas Waites)

Norbert Weisser

Norwegian

Larry Franco

Norwegian Passenger with Rifle

Nate Irwin

Helicopter Pilot

William Zeman

Pilot

Adrienne Barbeau

Computer
(voice)
(uncredited)

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

User reviews1.4K

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.

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May 28, 2021
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Videos8

Trailer 1:54

The Thing

Clip 3:47

How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right

Clip 3:47

How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right

Clip 4:54

Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary

Clip 3:10

The Thing: Kill It!

Clip 3:20

The Thing: It's Alive!

Featurette 1:54

The Thing: Interviews With Mick Garris And Director John Carpenter

Photos191

+ 185

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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