The Return of the Living Dead

Name: The Return of the Living Dead
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy
Released: August 16, 1985
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Beverly Randolph, Brian Peck, Clu Gulager, Don Calfa, James Karen

1985

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

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The Return Of The Living Dead

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Movie Details & Credits

Orion Pictures | Release Date: August 16, 1985 | R

Starring: Beverly Randolph, Brian Peck, Clu Gulager, Don Calfa, James Karen, Jewel Shepard, John Philbin, Linnea Quigley, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Thom Mathews

Summary: When two bumbling employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air, the vapors cause the dead to rise again as zombies.

Director: Dan O'Bannon

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

Empire Chris Hewitt (1)

Essential, enormous fun. Read full review

Robert Savage

The most commendable aspect of the The Return of the Living Dead is its ability to combine horror and comedy rather than allowing the different elements to become intermittent and the tone inconsistent. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Return is a movie with some nice, droll opening scenes and the obligatory horrible climax. It doesn't make the mistake of Day Of The Dead - talking too much. It's kind of a sensation-machine, made out of the usual ingredients, and the real question is whether it's done with style. It is. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Any film which features a dead, bald and very hungry punk lurching towards the camera screaming 'More Brains!' gets my vote. Read full review

Bill Cosford

The whole point is excess, and O'Bannon's good at getting to that point. But the film is so clearly meant for giggles that it packs nowhere near the emotional punch of one of Romero's, which are truly dreadful. [19 Aug 1985, p.D5]

Tom Shales

One problem is that the action in the film is restricted to a few basic locations; the medical supply house, a nearby cemetery and an adjoining mortuary. Romero made highly productive use of confinement. O'Bannon does not, but he does earn points with inventive gall, and there are enough lunatic thrills along the way to leave one with the giddy sensation of having been alternately scared silly and tickled even sillier. [19 Aug 1985, p.D1]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The whole thing is played for laughs, with a pseudohip sense of humor satirizing everything from suburban punks to the military, while delivering a few legitimate chills. Read full review

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User Reviews

Jrock032276

Dec 23, 2020

Great flick, watch it!!! It’s a story that has been told many times but this one is different. This movie has nudity, gore, and party vibes. 80’s gold man for real. Too many movies now a days are not as real as this. The rain is gonna happen, the killer rain man! Idk how to tell people butGreat flick, watch it!!! It’s a story that has been told many times but this one is different. This movie has nudity, gore, and party vibes. 80’s gold man for real. Too many movies now a days are not as real as this. The rain is gonna happen, the killer rain man! Idk how to tell people but go dig a hole and hide. Buy a sword and hide with your dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand