The Return of the Living Dead
“They're back from the grave and ready to party!”
Synopsis
Two employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a toxic gas from a misplaced top-secret U.S. Army shipment, causing the dead to rise from a nearby cemetery with an insatiable hunger for human brains.
Part of the Return of the Living Dead Collection
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Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official SizzleOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-10-10
Top Cast
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Clu Gulager
Burt
James Karen
Frank
Don Calfa
Ernie
Thom Mathews
Freddy
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
Spider
Brian Peck
Scuz
John Philbin
Chuck
Linnea Quigley
Trash
Beverly Randolph
Tina
Jewel Shepard
Casey
Mark Venturini
Suicide
Jonathan Terry
Colonel Glover
Cathleen Cordell
Colonel's Wife
David Bond
Radio Corpse #2
Derrick Brice
Gunnery Sergeant
Paul Cloud
Cop #2
Michael Crabtree
Riot Cop #2
Robert Craighead
Cop #1
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 16, 1985
Wide Cinema Exhibition
April 25, 1985
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$4M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$14.2M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
3.56x
+$10.2M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Dan O'Bannon
- Screenplay & Story
- Dan O'Bannon
- Original Score
- Matt Clifford
- Original Title
- The Return of the Living Dead
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 31m
- Production Budget
- $4M
- Worldwide Gross
- $14.2M
- Production Studios
- Hemdale Film Corporation, Fox Films Ltd., Cinema 84
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Dan O'Bannon
Dan O'Bannon, Rudy Ricci, John A. Russo, Russell Streiner
Matt Clifford
Jules Brenner
Robert Gordon
John Daly, Tom Fox, Derek Gibson
Department Leadership Roster
Dan O'Bannon
Screenplay
Dan O'Bannon
Director
Tom Fox
Producer
Matt Clifford
Original Music Composer
Jules Brenner
Director of Photography
Gary Jensen
Stunt Coordinator
Erik Cord
Stunt Coordinator
Gene Warren Jr.
Visual Effects Supervisor
Pete Kleinow
Visual Effects Supervisor
William Stout
Production Design
Robert Gordon
Editor
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.
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 Return of the Living Dead.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Return of the Living Dead.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Return of the Living Dead
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Return of the Living Dead about?
Two employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a toxic gas from a misplaced top-secret U.S. Army shipment, causing the dead to rise from a nearby cemetery with an insatiable hunger for human brains.
Who directed The Return of the Living Dead?
The Return of the Living Dead was directed by Dan O'Bannon.
Who stars in The Return of the Living Dead?
The principal cast of The Return of the Living Dead includes Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews, Miguel A. Núñez Jr..
When was The Return of the Living Dead released and how long is it?
The Return of the Living Dead was released in 1985 with a total runtime of 1h 31m.
What was the box office and production budget of The Return of the Living Dead?
The Return of the Living Dead had a reported production budget of $4M and grossed $14.2M at the worldwide box office (3.56 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for The Return of the Living Dead?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Return of the Living Dead was composed by Matt Clifford.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Return of the Living Dead?
The Return of the Living Dead holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); CA: R; DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); GB: 18 (Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).