The Thing
“Anytime. Anywhere. Anyone.”
Synopsis
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Part of the The Thing Collection
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Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2016-09-12
Top Cast
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Kurt Russell
MacReady
Wilford Brimley
Blair
T.K. Carter
Nauls
David Clennon
Palmer
Keith David
Childs
Richard Dysart
Dr. Copper
Charles Hallahan
Norris
Peter Maloney
Bennings
Richard Masur
Clark
Donald Moffat
Garry
Joel Polis
Fuchs
Thomas G. Waites
Windows
Norbert Weisser
Norwegian
Larry Franco
Norwegian Passenger with Rifle
Nate Irwin
Helicopter Pilot
William Zeman
Pilot
John Carpenter
Norwegian (video footage) (uncredited)
Adrienne Barbeau
Computer (voice) (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
Cinemuerte International Horror Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
January 7, 2020
Wide Cinema Exhibition
September 9, 1998
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$15M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$19.6M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
1.31x
+$4.6M net gain
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- John Carpenter
- Screenplay & Story
- Bill Lancaster
- Original Score
- Ennio Morricone
- Original Title
- The Thing
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Norwegian
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Production Budget
- $15M
- Worldwide Gross
- $19.6M
- Production Studios
- Universal Pictures, The Turman-Foster Company
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John Carpenter
Bill Lancaster, John W. Campbell Jr.
Ennio Morricone
Dean Cundey
Todd C. Ramsay
David Foster, Wilbur Stark, Lawrence Turman
Department Leadership Roster
Bill Lancaster
Screenplay
Ennio Morricone
Original Music Composer
Dean Cundey
Director of Photography
John Carpenter
Director
David Foster
Producer
John J. Lloyd
Production Design
Todd C. Ramsay
Editor
Lawrence Turman
Producer
Dick Warlock
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Thing.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thing
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Thing about?
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Who directed The Thing?
The Thing was directed by John Carpenter.
Who stars in The Thing?
The principal cast of The Thing includes Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David.
When was The Thing released and how long is it?
The Thing was released in 1982 with a total runtime of 1h 49m.
What was the box office and production budget of The Thing?
The Thing had a reported production budget of $15M and grossed $19.6M at the worldwide box office (1.31 return on budget, classified as a budget recovered).
Who composed the musical score for The Thing?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Thing was composed by Ennio Morricone.
Is The Thing based on a book or true story?
The Thing is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "John W. Campbell Jr.".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Thing?
The Thing holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); GB: 18 (Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).