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The Thing

The Thing

1982
Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller
1h 49m
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Avg Percentile 71.68% from 9688 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(9688)
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Rated 17 May 2008
94
99th
John Carpenter returns with one of the most important horror movies ever made, Kurt Russel is fantastic, and the special effects are awesome.
Rated 07 Apr 2012
95
99th
Just imagine how amazing this would be if they could have made the creature look like a terrible cartoonish video game and didn't have to use those stupid realistic and convincing puppets.
Rated 16 Jan 2011
99
99th
The scariest film I've ever seen, leaving me sweaty-handed and wide-eyed in disbelieving terror every single time I watch it. Carpenter's film is bathed in tension, perhaps most memorably in the classic scene with MacReady testing the samples of blood. So many great characters in this. Love the effects and the score. 'The Thing' is a film I simply can't get enough of.
Rated 14 Aug 2022
92
84th
An unkillable monster that was defeated in 1982 by E.T.
Rated 13 Nov 2009
10
98th
I thought this was good up till the ending then it transcends into great for me. I love the ambiguity. That's how you end a movie! Don't tell me anything, just leave it up to the imagination. This is easily Kurt Russell's best role, amazing what a badass beard will do for an actor. I love the tension of this movie and, although some disagree, the special effects are still pretty awesome (2009) but for 1982 it's pretty mind-blowing.
Rated 05 Oct 2009
95
98th
I remember seeing this as a kid and being scared to death! Still stands as the highpoint of animatronics on the burgeoning age of cgi. Definitly one of Carpenters best!
Rated 17 Sep 2011
98
99th
Not just the greatest horror ever made, it's one of the greatest movies ever made. The pinnacle of practical effects.
Rated 30 Mar 2011
11
99th
From the simple, yet chillingly effective musical leitmotif (DONG-dong... DONG-dong.... DONG-dong!) to the frantic actions sequences with delirious body horror that would leave Cronenberg envious, "The Thing" is Carpenter at the absolute top of his game. Tension slowly builds to unbearable heights (as in the blood testing scene), as we witness the scientists turn on eachother - usually too soon or to late - crosscut with increasingly gory, in-your-face horror. "First goddamn week of winter".
Rated 23 Oct 2011
97
95th
Without a second thought one of the best horror movies I've seen. I watch it once or twice a year around October. The practical effects are really well done and creepy, the tone is dreadful, claustrophobic, and atmospheric all at once. Decently paced and throughly interesting. I also enjoyed the performances. Well worth watching if you're a horror fan. For me, it's a perfect blend of sci/fi and horror.
Rated 06 Feb 2014
100
99th
Carpenter's shape-shifting alien feature is a masterwork of pacing, creating the tensest of atmospheres and expertly ramping up the paranoia with every passing scene. The cast, led by a never-better Kurt Russell, are perfectly suited to each role, while the breathtaking practical effects are comfortably the most impressive ever put to film. Add an ingeniously ambiguous ending and what's left is a crowning achievement in horror cinema.
Rated 30 Mar 2011
95
98th
What by all measures ought to have been a low budget Alien rip-off (with added 80s synth-music and angry Norwegians), is lifted to pure spine-chilling awesomeness, by the conundrum that is John Carpenter's early career.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
91st
Certainly one of the best horror flicks to come out of the 80's. The special effects are a bit dated nowadays but they're still good enough to give you a real sense of the horror of the twisted chameleon alien life form. The concept, more than anything else, is still damn, damn scary. I should add that after rewatching this movie for a third time it's really grown on me, it seems to get better with every watch and I think that's a real strength.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
91st
The critics who reviewed this film at the time it was released should be ashamed of themselves. As an example, cf., David Pirie: “Russell’s sub-Eastwood heroics hardly compensate for the absence of all characterisation, while Bill Lancaster’s script boasts the most illogical climax any monster movie ever had.”
Rated 22 Aug 2010
100
98th
Horror and sci-fi perfected. Pure, gory excellence, unsurpassable for sheer, jawdropping awesomeness. The pinnacle of art and the only tangible evidence of a higher being. Fucking rad.
Rated 03 Dec 2017
88
83rd
Having never seen the film until 2017, I can say it certainly merits the favorable reappraisal its received over the years. Although it's got plot holes & the weak characterization you expect from Carpenter, the latter isnt a drawback since the conflicts aren't driven by personality differences, but by the paranoia of not knowing who's a friend & who wants to kill you. The creature's also a marvel of practical efx, as visually compelling as anything by Giger with each attack wilder than the last
Rated 16 Jul 2018
10
99th
John Carpenter's The Thing is easily one of the greatest horror films made even for today's standards. Wether it's the amazing practical affects, use of its closterphobic environment, or simply great and very natural performances from like of Kurt Russell, Kieth David, and company. The Thing was ahead of its time, and even looks better then some horror movies today. Unfortunately it wasn't as big of a success at first, but it deservedly gets its credit now.
Rated 13 Aug 2019
98
99th
John Carpenter's "The Thing"(1982) is a sci-fi/horror classic. Which is why it's usually one of the top examples cited when discussing the merit of film remakes, so when compared to the "The Thing from Another World"(1951), this holy grail of practical sfx and John Carpenter's ace direction, makes for a fantastically unnerving paranoid sci-fi/horror/thriller. However of all the disturbing effects, the most frightening thing, in "The Thing", might just be, a mustache-less Wilford Brimley.
Rated 13 Aug 2007
80
89th
I remember the first time I saw this one, it scared the crap out of me. Recently I saw it again, and besides the dated special-effects, it's still quite good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
98th
Pretty much the ultimate monster movie, does more with 1982's practical effects than most directors can with 2006's CGI.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
Changed my mind, went the 100, bearing in mind this the only flim I went to the drive in see (I don't drive and had to talk my brother in law who REALLY hates me into taking me) John Carpenter at his gory best and apparently more faithful to John W Campbell's book who goes there. The Alien is simply astonishing
Rated 04 Jun 2012
94
97th
This is not just about amazing make-up special effects. Of course not. This is Carpenter dealing with humanity in a gruesome, atrocious fashion. There is no difference between the shape-shifting alien and us. Even so, we might also think that every one of this group of angry men can act like this primal thing that came from outer space. Brilliant piece of body/survival horror.
Rated 03 Jan 2016
97
98th
While a beautifully shot location and expert musical score would normally be enough of a treat for the senses, the sfx make it a full-blown feast. Part of the paranoia and suspicion comes from there being just enough main characters so that you never really know anyone. I still rely on the intense petri dish scene to put names to faces after dozens of viewings. Ebert erred when he criticized this weak characterization - the question to ask of these people is not who are they, but what are they?
Rated 28 Aug 2018
75
69th
Crazy action style flick with the blood and gore of a horror film! Had a hard time getting into it but the second act I couldn't stop watching (In my opinion) John Carpenter's best film! Love the effects and the mistrust between the characters I would have loved a better showdown between MacReady and Childs Best effect (in my opinion) when Dr. Is working on the guy and creature grabs him an awesome film moment! Definitely a enjoyable film to watch!
Rated 14 Sep 2020
80
65th
This will always be a perfect Friday night horror film for nerdy teenage boys. It is high on violence and gore, with just the right amount of characterization & emotion. But Carpenter hit on something here, making a film that becomes timeless by looking back at 1950's sci-fi. He gets creates a creepy film (through great montages and fantastic electronic music) where paranoia is at every turn. The "Nobody trusts anybody now, and we're all very tired" line especially rings true in 2020. Fun!
Rated 18 Mar 2007
89
83rd
Simply one of the best science fiction movies to ever come out. John Carpenter has a surprisingly sophisticated way of directing the movie both visually and with his actors. The leading characters are all performed in a way that is believable and engaging due to their close-quarters who-is-who situation. This is just a superb movie all around that has a great plot and is a good watch.
Rated 22 Mar 2007
100
95th
Terrifying. Unbelievably good FX, considering it was before CGI
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
97th
A staple of John Carpenter's career (and my personal favourite) that holds up after almost 25 years. A good psychological horror with a dash of monster and gore with excellent atmosphere.
Rated 16 Mar 2008
100
98th
Man Movie. "Yeah fuck you to!"
Rated 12 Jan 2009
99
92nd
there's no other movie which i like so much in the final 5 minutes. This is THE END ... my dear friend. I'm talking about the last minutes of time-out after all the suspense and action, and monster-things ... MacReady , Childs, bottle of whiskey and : -What do we do now? -Why don't we just wait here for a little while... see what happens...
Rated 10 Jan 2010
98
99th
Manlier than a beard of testicles.
Rated 23 Sep 2010
90
97th
One of my favorites, claustrophobic, creepy and the special effects still get to me.
Rated 03 Nov 2012
95
96th
My favorite horror movie of all time. So many incredible scenes helped by one of the tensenst atmospheres you'll ever see in a movie. The creature effects are suitable insane, the characters are all relatable and interesting, and Kurt Russell delivers the best performance of his career. The ending is genius too, and totally fits the rest of the movie.
Rated 13 Mar 2007
78
83rd
One of my favorite John Carpenter film.
Rated 14 Jun 2007
95
94th
Great atmosphere, story, and Especially the Effects.
Rated 31 Dec 2007
100
99th
The quintessential horror film. Great story, great cast, flawless execution. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell at their finest.
Rated 20 Mar 2009
93
95th
I love this film. The core of the film is its atmosphere; the tension never relents and it works so brilliantly and left me gripped through the entire film. The practical effects might seem dated, but I didn't care. The way it all unfolded left me enthralled. An awesome film.
Rated 07 May 2009
99
99th
One of the scariest and most suspenseful movies I've ever seen, so many great scenes and amazing special effects. The acting was top notch with a great performance from Kurt Russell.
Rated 09 Nov 2009
80
75th
The Thing is an extremely suspenseful and bad ass thrill ride. Looks really good for 1982, and definitely got my blood flowing after the first encounter with "the thing." An extremely enjoyable picture from start to finish with some great effects and pretty good performances. Sadly this falls into the category of most great horror films where If you were there upon its release, it would have been much better.
Rated 23 Jun 2011
90
97th
Great Movie
Rated 27 Dec 2011
87
88th
The essence of this films success is not the brilliant special effects, and an amorphous monster that can take any shape, but the scariness of being in a truly isolated environment with a group of people that you simply cannot trust. It is THAT situation which is the really frightening aspect of this movie ... the fact that it is an alien which creates that situation simply adds to the horror. I am constantly amazed by the ingenuity of special effects artists before CGI ruined REAL creativity.
Rated 30 Aug 2014
90
90th
A more amazing (almost impossible to imagine) version of Alien. This film emulates a lot of what Alien does (minus its beautifully crafted characters), but with a grotesquely horrific story and a few interesting characters. The visual direction is fantastic and the feeling of claustrophobic isolation sets a haunting and everlasting tone for the movie, and beyond. Unforgettable.
Rated 12 Oct 2019
8
81st
Here's the thing (sorry not sorry), this would've been a good movie even without those glorious and gutsy practical effects: the slow-burning plot of discovery and suspicion, the freezing Antarctica setting, the simmering tension and subtle chills of the ambiguous ending ("Why don't we just wait here for a little while, see what happens?"). But then you add in a cavity with teeth (hah), a spider-head ("You gotta be fuckin' kidding"), and an octopus dog and The Thing goes from good to great.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
80
95th
This film is pure excellence.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
90
92nd
All Carpenter movies are secret westerns in concept, and this one is a very well-done spaghetti western. Tooth-grindingly slow pace setting up short outbursts of extreme violence and nauseating gore, a disinterested and callous camera, ferocious-approaching-feral protagonists, a landscape that hates you as much as it hates the film. Hell, it even has a Morricone score. All in all, incredibly novel and ugly and worth a million viewings.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
85
87th
I love the tension, mood, and pervasive sense of dread in this film. The setting (some military-like compound in Antarctica) enhanced the feeling of claustrophobic hopelessness. This is a really great horror movie, unique in the fact that the antagonist is faceless, nameless, and wholly unpredictable. I also really love the ambiguous ending.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
90th
A scare classic, improving on the Cold War original. John Carpenter at the peak of his game.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
98th
This film has always creeped me out, but I can't look away from the beautiful display of horrors! Great atmosphere and tension.
Rated 20 Sep 2007
5
96th
The best thing Carpenter will ever direct and one of the best horror films I've ever seen. Keeps a great balance between tense, atmospheric creepiness and retch-inducing gore. It also has one of the coolest, most ambiguous endings I've ever seen in a horror film. Saw this at the age of ten, and had a real "what the fuck, movies can actually do that?!" reaction to that ending.
Rated 19 Oct 2007
100
99th
Best science fantasy movie I've seen. In 50 years...
Rated 14 Mar 2008
94
97th
Now this is a horror movie. An alien monster, a claustrophobic isolated setting, mistrust and uncertainty, scenes of amazing intensity, and disgusting creatures that ooze and drip, brought to life with practical gore effects and some convincing stop motion. Horror movies of this variety appeal to me more than any others. One of the best horror movies and sci fi movies ever made.
Rated 10 Jan 2009
9
93rd
Really well paced and very tense. Usually in older effects movies, I spend most of the time distracted by how fake it looks, but the special effects mostly hold up. In The Thing, I was thinking, "That's FUCKED UP," which I imagine is exactly what John Carpenter was going for. Maybe the best horror movie I've ever seen.
Rated 09 Feb 2009
100
98th
Holds up really well considering it's early 80's release. I'd rather see these special effects over obvious CGI any day. Great horror flick, it really makes you feel claustrophobic with all of them just trapped up there with that creature.
Rated 24 May 2009
81
66th
A bit of sci-fi and a bit of horror, but the key in both genres is whether the director has a good script to work with and whether he knows what to do with it. The answer is yes in both cases here, as Carpenter allows silences and darkness to do much of his work on suspense, always a good choice in these types of genre films. Also, the script sticks with its concept to the end, rather than taking a hard left turn at the conclusion. Enjoyed the psychological implications of the story. Well done.
Rated 02 Oct 2009
93
92nd
Easily among Carpenter's best, the Thing uses it's slow pace to keep the audience tense while it's barren environment and bleak story suffocate the audience with an overwhelming sense of paranoia. Great direction, brilliant writing and solid performances all combine to create one of the most skillfully made sci-fi horror films since 'Alien'.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
84
68th
After seeing this I'm scared of going anywhere near my dog.
Rated 17 Jan 2010
85
92nd
The gloomy atmosphere and the bizarre effects of the creature(s) is something special and terrifying to behold for the first time. There's an intense sense of claustrophobia and fear throughout that just builds non stop to the conclusion. The mood and atmosphere of this film should be dissected and studied by all horror film directors and producers. It's not even that innovative but it is perfectly executed.
Rated 21 Jan 2010
93
95th
Carpenter's greatest success.
Rated 26 Dec 2010
96
96th
What an amazing sci-fi horror film. I especially love the way it was shot, with the lights being stretched out and the filming in Antarctica.
Rated 14 Jun 2011
95
97th
So this flopped at the box office because people had seen 'Alien' and felt that this was more of the same and they decided that they would rather watch E.T. instead? What.The.Fuck!? "I really enjoyed this delicious steak. But next time I think I'll have a Happy Meal instead...just to try something different, you know?" Well you can have your empty calories and I'll have my delicious, paranoid sci-fi-horror-fest.
Rated 16 Oct 2011
94
97th
I love this movie so much.
Rated 16 Apr 2012
96
94th
Doesn't hold back at all. Incredibly creepy and unsettling. Loved it. Great body horror that surpasses its CGI-obsessed "prequel".
Rated 16 May 2012
4
74th
How utterly dismal is this film which posits that no one can be trusted and which never yields from that sentiment. The isolation and paranoia are overwhelming. It's ageless, as relevant an allegorical application to the Cold War as it is to 21st Century disinformation. Good thing that the effects are equally as enduring: these gruesome practical puppets may never get old.
Rated 22 Apr 2014
100
97th
God damn John Carpenter is awesome and this movie is awesome.
Rated 21 Jan 2015
9
91st
The Thing is my favourite John Carpenter film and as an overall piece of filmmaking this is certainly his finest work. This definitely ranks alongside the likes of Ridley Scott's Alien and I think of all John Carpenter's films this has aged the best. To this day the disturbing, wincing and grotesque practical make-up effects and models are absolutely incredible. Kurt Russell gives one of his most memorable performances and the overall tension, claustrophobia and horror of The Thing still haunts.
Rated 17 Jan 2007
64
23rd
This is one of those movies that gets way too much adoration from internet males, like Back to the Future or Fight Club or American History X. It's an okay thriller, certainly far better than the cheesy original The Thing From Another World, but it's nothing special. Kurt Russell is such a lame actor.
Rated 27 Jan 2007
100
97th
Kurt Russell is such a bamf in this movie.
Rated 05 May 2007
100
93rd
Kurt Russels best! John Carpenters directing makes you struggle with emotions ranging from deepset paranoia combined with both dread and tension cutting hilarity!
Rated 06 May 2007
90
96th
A film that not only has the world's best Razzie nominated soundtrack but also some of the most inspired monster designs in horror movie history. The whole concept of a shape shifting entity such as the thing is inherenty frightening, and when coupled with some great interaction between actors ramping up the tension, makes for a fantastic film. It has to be said that some areas have become a little dated, but it stands as a testament to the film's quality that these issues go largely unnoticed.
Rated 21 May 2007
91
92nd
Some of the greatest makeup effects ever devised frame a fantastic horror film with some of the most suspenseful scenes put to celluloid. A must for fans of great film, period. Carpenter's last truly great film.
Rated 24 Jun 2007
97
98th
My favorite horror film. Brilliant suspense, unique concept, genuinely scary. I love the mystery of not knowing who to trust.
Rated 28 Jun 2007
70
78th
Surprisingly atmospheric and I love the way that it ratches up the tension so organically. Great stuff.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
100
95th
Carpenter's masterpiece of terror, suspense, and of humanity destroying itself as much as the alien threat itself. Today's mallrat audiences will hate it because it lacks the pointless gore, expected jump scares, bad acting, and other garbage that wrecks the horror genre these days. Plus, its got brains. Those kids are allergic to such things.
Rated 27 Jul 2007
88
85th
This movie is 25 years old and I believe still holds it's own against anything since then for a Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller, Action, Horror movie. The effects are great and believable, the acting is good, the directing is great.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
98th
My favorite Sci-Fi slash Horror film, right above Alien and Aliens. The Special Effects alone are worth the watch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
74th
Probably one of the most geuinely terrifying movies I've ever seen, it still creeps the hell out of me. And really gruesome, but I love it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
94th
A movie that captures the feeling of paranoia as well as any other. The snowy/desolate setting is perfect, and it's very nice to see a horror film that doesn't rely on jump scares and straight up gore to terrify the shit out of you. Some do, but I'm not going to fault the movie for having some cheesy effects being that it was 1982 (and hey, they're still more effective than the prequel's CGI counterparts). Creative and tense, with the perfect ending for the film. A true horror classic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
65th
Not even 1,000 bowls of Quaker Oats are gonna save old man Brimley from the fate Carpenter has in store for him.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
63
67th
The dog gives the best performance in the movie.
Rated 29 Mar 2008
93
66th
One of John Carpenter's best films
Rated 29 Mar 2008
96
96th
Great story and effects.
Rated 04 Jul 2008
95
97th
A masterstroke in horror and paranoia. Decades later, the practical effects of the creature designs haven't lost their chilling impact.
Rated 26 Sep 2008
87
81st
Classic Carpenter. I love how it opens and love how it ends. The special effects stand up really well over time. I think that makeup effects are much more realistic and suggestive than any kind of CGI.
Rated 29 Sep 2008
97
99th
The Thing is one of my favourite movies ever, and is a guilty pleasure without the guilty. The storyline is great; a face-less monster is taking over a crew in Antarctica and is mimicking their appearances. Soon enough, the men can't tell if their friends are their friends or the monster. The brilliant script is complemented by some fine, A-grade acting in this B-grade movie. But what makes me keep coming back to this movie are the inventive and incredible gore and monster effects.
Rated 26 Oct 2008
90
90th
Tension is the name of the game.
Rated 15 Dec 2008
89
92nd
I knew next to nothing about this before I watched it, was totally unprepared for how excellent it is.
Rated 03 Feb 2009
90
91st
If this isn't sheer perfection, it comes pretty damn close. While the special effects are disturbing and beautiful to look at even today, the thing (pun not intended) that makes this film so special is the masterfully crafted atmosphere, heightened by the all-around wonderful acting. The tension, the build-up, the growing sense of paranoia and hopelessness - no other film I've seen comes anywhere close to this.
Rated 10 Feb 2009
70
75th
One of the sci-fi-horror's nicest. The genre has always been plagued with implausibility, and although The Thing has its share of unconvincing plot elements, it way more effective than its very silly predecessor Quartermass Xperiment (1955). Really well directed and has superb makeup and special fx. It's an effectively scary movie and probably Carpenter's best.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
95
70th
Favorite sci fi horror film, such a great movie.
Rated 28 Apr 2009
100
97th
Tremendous special effects, excellent plot and setting, with a great performance by Kurt Russel makes this movie one of the best Sci-fi movies off all times.
Rated 05 May 2009
90
97th
Tense as fuck and all-around awesome. The best horror film ever made.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
90
88th
Very creepy and tense; John Carpenter successfully crafts a tight, suspenseful movie filled with paranoia throughout.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
100
99th
Superb. Frightening and suspenseful classic sci-fi horror.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
100
93rd
John Carpenter's best movie ever.
Rated 28 Sep 2009
98
98th
A nearly perfect movie. Great story, great cast, great setting, great effects, and great scares. Bottin's effects are amazing, and the creature designs are completely unreal. Carpenter sells the isolation and the cold and the paranoia, as does the cast. The plot never feels padded or slows down. The only thing that keeps it from perfection is a final battle that feels slightly anticlimactic. Aside from that, I can't think of any flaws. Mad props also for Kurt Russell's Antarctic sombrero.
Rated 03 Oct 2009
90
97th
This is one terrifying movie
Rated 09 Oct 2009
87
90th
Wow what a great movie this is. You don't know who to trust in this movie, and that makes the atmosphere really tense. The soundtrack in this movie is great. It's so gory!
Rated 28 Oct 2009
82
87th
I don't hear people talking about this movie as much as about Alien, and that's so unfair.
Rated 17 Jun 2010
100
97th
This is the best horror movie that John ever did. This movie is just so intense and generally scary. Its a great paranoid frozen horror movie...
Rated 05 Aug 2010
100
90th
A great film to show your paranoid friend once he's released from the psychiatric ward.
Rated 17 Aug 2010
90
66th
One of Carpenter's best films and really updates the classic movie very well. Amazing special effects and filled with suspense--this is really fun to watch film. Highly recommended!

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