The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

A bumbling pair of employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air... (imdb)
Cast and Information
Directed By: Dan O'Bannon
Written By: Dan O'Bannon
Starring: Linnea Quigley, Clu Gulager, James Karen, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Thom Mathews, John Philbin, Don Calfa, Brian Peck, Jewel Shepard, Beverly Randolph, Jonathan Terry, Mark Venturini
Genres: Comedy, Sci-fi, Horror
Franchise: Return of the Living Dead
Country: USA
Where to Stream
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The Return of the Living Dead belongs to 36 collections
1. boobs (collaborative: moderated by Pickpocket - 51 stars)
2. Full Female Frontal Nudity (Yes, Bush!) (collaborative: moderated by iceblox - 26 stars)
3. Directorial debut (collaborative: moderated by djross - 16 stars)
4. Films available in HD (collaborative: moderated by kubricksucks - 13 stars)
5. Gore comedy (collaborative: moderated by edkrak - 10 stars)
6. The Gentlemen's Guide To Midnight Cinema Podcast (collaborative: moderated by Coheed - 9 stars)
7. Horror Franchises (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess - 8 stars)
8. Filmsite.org - Sex in the Movies, An Illustrated History (collaborative: moderated by afx237vi - 5 stars)
9. retroCRUSH 100 Scariest Movie Scenes (collaborative: moderated by somnivore - 4 stars)
10. Horror comedies (collaborative - 4 stars)
11. Blood, Breasts and Beasts (collaborative - 4 stars)
12. Capsules, guest reviews, list candidates... (366weirdmovies) (collaborative: moderated by sesito71 - 4 stars)
13. edkrak films to see (public: edkrak - 4 stars)
14. Horror (public: fruititself - 4 stars)
15. Horror (public: horrorjames - 4 stars)
16. Zombies (collaborative: moderated by ForrestQ - 3 stars)
17. Coheed's Films I Need To See Or Try To Track Down (public: Coheed - 3 stars)
18. Naked Female Dancing (collaborative - 2 stars)
19. The Mammoth Book of Slasher Movies (book) (public: Ag0stoMesmer - 2 stars)
20. "Seasons: Autumn" (collaborative - 1 star)
21. Kim Newman's Nightmare Movies (collaborative: moderated by RoyalB - 1 star)
22. Stuart Wellington Recommends (collaborative: moderated by lexwhitfield - 1 star)
23. My Zombie Collection (public: borislugosi - 1 star)
24. Return of the Living Dead (collaborative)
25. Midnites @ The Coolidge (collaborative: moderated by TrixRabbi)
26. Versátil Home Video (collaborative: moderated by allegreller)
27. Living Dead series (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess)
28. Movies with "Return" in the Title (collaborative: moderated by Dunstan-xxx)
29. Owned (BD) (public: bizarre_eye)
30. My DVD Collection (public: balseiros)
31. BF-80 (public: caffe)
32. Horror/Suspense Movies I Own (public: Lord Moe)
33. Filmspotting Ratings Project: Week 35 (public: PeaceAnarchy)
34. Owned (public: ribcage)
35. Hollywood Saloon: Guilty Pleasures (public: BeeDub)
36. Ayıla Bayıla İzlenen Filmler (public: Ozancan)
Browse the full list of collections
Stars | User | Rating | |
9 | ![]() |
TimeCapsule | 90 93rd |
Luckily for me, this 80's cult classic zombie horror/comedy managed to live up to all the high expectations I had built up for the movie over the years, never actually seeing it. Fortunately, it was love at first sight, as this insanely quotable, campy, punk rock, black comedy was just a delight, and should practically be a must see for genre fans. Maybe my favorite line/exchange in a movie in a while: "It worked in the movie!" "Well, it ain't working now, Frank!" "YOU MEAN THE MOVIE LIED?"
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Paxton | 76 80th |
Opens like someone's twisted take on Abbott and Costello Meet the Living Dead. Pretty damn hilarious at times, pretty damn naked girl on a car at others. Not enough gets said about movies that feature crematoriums, but I can't think of a bad one.
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TrixRabbi | 80 69th |
When the title card popped up stating it was a true story and that no names had been changed, I knew I was in for something special.
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Cinema_Asia | 75 71st |
This is one of those films that I would put into a time capsule that symbolized the 80's. It mixes hilarious zombie cheese, punk rock, camp, and actual scares all into an effective mix. The effects are revolting but awesome too. Some of the lines are infinitely quotable "Send more paramedics" and this is due in a large part to Dan O'Bannon's great screenplay.
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terrymac | 71 62nd |
A very enjoyable horror/comedy hybrid, delivered with a great deal of enthusiasm by all concerned. It's actually pretty well put together, and holds up even today despite being very much an 80s film in every sense. Loved the hammy exposition linking it to Night of the Living Dead. There are moments of genuine comedy, tension, and some likeably revolting effects. I suspect you might have to be in the right mood to watch it, but definitely worth a look.
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BillyShears | 100 98th |
“Get some light over here, James Karen is taking his clothes off again.”
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4 | ![]() |
Jerky | 100 99th |
You think this is a fuckin' costume? This is a way of LIFE!!!
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Mr.Olivier | 100 99th |
If I were trapped in my house with only a couple hours left to live, I would probably spend them watching this movie.
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x-human | 82 76th |
The Dr. Strangelove of zombies films; So absurd it's almost believable. The way problems escalate in this is priceless and some of the practical yet original twists on the genre conventions are brilliant. Plus Miss Quigley gives the quintessential performance of the decade.
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Ytadel | 7 83rd |
A narratively conventional zombie movie that nevertheless succeeds on the basis of its high energy level, joyous and unapologetic camp, and (especially compared to something like AMC's bone-dry and utterly humorless The Walking Dead) not taking itself so damn seriously all the time.
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INDYATMN | 88 82nd |
Considering the 100's of zombie variations this past decade's offered, it's amazing how distinctive & memorable this cult classic is. Not only are the zombies here possibly the first to ever run, but they're lethal in ways I haven't seen in a zombie movie since. It's a B-movie w/ a brain, but neither does it ever forget to deliver the goods genre flicks like this promise. It's the most unexpected & fun combination of gore, cheap thrills, & utterly unnecessary T&A shots I've seen in a long time.
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3 | xacviant | 81 55th |
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A sort of meta-sequel to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, wherein a secret government toxin that reanimates the dead is unleashed--and guess what happens? Oh, and it's a broad comedy as well, with an undead dissected dog, the most hostile punk alive (not for long, though), practical gore effects galore, 80s fashions, 80s music, insanely hammy acting (James Karen merely gets the ball rolling), a bleak ending, and a thousand other delights. Hilarious script and go-for-broke direction by Dan O'Bannon.
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adamj1982 | 95 98th |
80's overload and in my book, there simply is no better zombie movie.
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joseywales | 84 92nd |
The first time comedy was intentionally mixed with zombies. A classic in the genre and a must-see for all fans.
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twincinema | 95 96th |
The perfect blend of horror and comedy (one of only a handful of films that does horror comedy well), and is one of those fun films that I could watch over and over and over again (and I have in the past). Hell, I might get crazy and watch it with the commentary (my disc comes with two commentary tracks!)
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Duck_King | 80 68th |
Excellent pop-corn zombie movie that never takes itself too seriously, and at the risk of sounding shallow, definitely the hottest horror movie nude scene ever.
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Suture Self | 3 25th |
Trashy, cheesy, freewheelin' zombie mayhem, with some hilarious overacting and a cast of killable old white men and punks. Note: All of the actors look like b-movie versions of more famous people. Final note: It has charm, especially some of the creature fx, but I'm not taken by it like others are.
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nilkynarfy | 80 78th |
The first zomcom of note. While the scope of this zombie apocalypse is much smaller than more modern audiences may be used to, they fill it well. There was a minor revival of old pre-code horror comics in the 80's, and this movie is definitely a reflection of that; primary colors, black humor and background sight gags abound. The use of punk and new wave music is neat, but I can't help but think the music makes it seem like a Repo Man cash-in (it's not, but watch one after the other).
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saucyjack | 86 79th |
One of the best horror comedies ever made with a soundtrack that kills
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amerigo | 86 89th |
A classic zombie flick that takes a comedy and adds a slightly disturbing twist. Instead of rehashing Romero's zombie aesthetic, this film gives the social satire a whole different direction.
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purgatos | 71 52nd |
This is basically every reason that people like horror movies all crammed together into one glorious film.
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Luna6ix | 86 92nd |
in a world where crappy zombie movies flourish this one is one of the least crappiest. it has tongue-in-cheek humor and some great zombie horror.
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WWallce4prez | 84 85th |
It is amazing that Dan O'Bannon's horror comedy (with the emphasis on comedy) has nearly as many iconic scenes and lines as Romero's original. From its campy beginning to the lunacy that follows, ROTLD is an absolute blast.
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SirStuckey | 70 56th |
I have more of a respect after seeing this in 2017 considering it does a lot of new stuff with zombies. There has been a nearly nauseating amount of other zombie movies/books/TV Shows/comics that I am burnt out of the super serious zombie stories. For all it's flaws this at least gives the zombies some character. Also the effects are fantastic.
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Lord Moe | 86 66th |
A hilarious horror comedy! But don't let that fool you. "Return of the Living Dead" is also a great zombie movie as well, with a lot of cool '80s special effects. It knows exactly what it wants to be and runs with it. If you're a fan of zombie movies or a fan of funny '80s horror movies, this is a must see.
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bonyevitch | 95 65th |
A great horror film that stands as both a parody and homage. "You mean the movie lied?!"
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Yiannos | 73 77th |
Wickedly funny horror-comedy hits all the right notes and almost single-handedly reinvented the zombie sub-genre. Unlike many horror-comedies, it gets the balance just right and never skimps on laughs or gore, and it effectively references other horror films without becoming a tribute piece. O'Bannon directs his debut with complete assurance, producing a quintessentially 80's work that is time bound yet captures what was so great about that era of genre film making.
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eveelun | 75 59th |
Very funny, yet also fairly scary (not unlike the original Night of the Living Dead). There are some good effects, too.
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TheDenizen | 70 63rd |
Classic zombie comedy featuring a gang of punks hanging out at a graveyard when the dead come back to life via an accidentally released army toxin. Plenty of enjoyably stupid comedy and it doesn't skimp on the nudity or gore either.
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Kojiless | 50 55th |
The zombies were in the wrong place, because they'll find no braaaaaaaaains in this movie. I guess that's why it makes it so much fun...well, that and the punker girl who's naked for all but 2 scenes.
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recklessmess | 30 16th |
The writers of this movie had their brains eaten. Otherwise, they wouldn't have written such a piece of shit.
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Biedronski | 79 67th |
a zombie apocalypse that i want nothing to do with. nothing could kill them! the sludge zombie was awesome looking. the naked punk chick was dumb, but a babe. good movie. definately watch at least once
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monclivie | 78 64th |
My favorite zombie movie ever. The only one I really like, actually. Even some ridiculously inept characters were fun (instead of annoying, as usual).
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1 | clawx | 95 98th |
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My favorite zombie related film of all time.
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moraesfelipe | 55 43rd |
Bannon certainly has got an eye for the effects. Every comic aspect of it seems dated, except for the girl who gets naked and becomes an attractive redhaired zombie or when the zombies call the paramedics and cops simply asking them to send more paramedics and cops. The script is so over the top - the fact that these zombies can't die, produced by some chemical military shit. The toxic rain keeps bringing them and an off narration at the end says the president will visit Louisville anytime soon.
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1 | aaaaaaarrggg | 71 73rd |
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Hilarious horror comic semi-sequel to _Night of the Living Dead_. A fast pace, terrific comic acting (including Linnea in her star-making role), and an inventive and funny script are marred only by an abrupt, unsatisfying ending.
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1 | Mechatigger | 86 74th |
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Half remake, half parody of _Night of the Living Dead_, this is that rare horror movie that is both funny and frightening, often at the same time. The cast -- especially Karen and Gulager -- is every bit as good as the excellent, outrageously disgusting special effects. A must-see for those with strong stomachs.
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spleen | 87 88th |
Not fantastically spectacularly awesome but still the best zombie apocalypse flick ever.
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gorejunky | 90 66th |
Yep, this one creeped me out, especially the last 15 minutes. And I'm a pretty hard core horror fan. Recommended--has some great gore.
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hellboy76 | 70 79th |
Really enjoyable horror comedy flick breathes some life into the zombie genre. The naked punk is one of the hottest things in the recorded history of man.
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KramYessev | 71 59th |
Dat theme.
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1 | princemuchao | 94 90th |
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The movie that taught me that all skeletons come from India. International treaty. This may not be the best zombie movie, but it is certainly the most fun. BRAINS!
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talonmalon | 81 60th |
One of the best horror comedies ever, Return of the Living Dead is just great.
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1 | YourNameHere | 90 61st |
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Once that broad started dancing naked in the graveyard, I knew I was going to like this movie. Great start.
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Groovy_Souls | 70 56th |
The Return of the Living Dead scratched my Evil Dead itch pretty solidly. Though neither it's horror or comedy is groundbreaking, the two factors of this film bolster each other higher and end up forming a pretty solid flick.
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killgazmo | 11 79th |
An 80's must see, humorous, cheesy and greatness and some bitchen effects. if you havent seen this you can not call yourself a film buff, let alone a horror one, like it or not.
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1 | Pickle_Man | 80 55th |
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Night of the Living Dead filtered through the punk rock sensibilities of Repo Man. Great stuff that manages to balance comedy and horror quite well.
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Average Percentile 58.4% from 1404 Ratings | ![]() |