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The Return of the Living Dead

Play trailer Poster for The Return of the Living Dead R 1985 1h 31m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 117 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When foreman Frank (James Karen) shows new employee Freddy (Thom Mathews) a secret military experiment in a supply warehouse, the two klutzes accidentally release a gas that reanimates corpses into flesh-eating zombies. As the epidemic spreads throughout Louisville, Ky., and the creatures satisfy their hunger in gory and outlandish ways, Frank and Freddy fight to survive with the help of their boss (Clu Gulager) and a mysterious mortician (Don Calfa).
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The Return of the Living Dead

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Critics Consensus

The Return of the Living Dead is a gleefully grotesque horror-comedy, though its broad performances and cheap thrills sometimes detract from its sharper moments.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Scott Globe and Mail Oct 8, 2025
It's one of the funniest films of its kind ever made. Go to Full Review
Joe Kane New York Daily News Sep 12, 2025
"Return" has its fair share of memorable junk movie moments. Go to Full Review
Archer Winsten New York Post Aug 13, 2025
All movies about the "living dead" strain for the same effect: pit-of-the-stomach disgust. In that respect The Return of the Living Dead rates near the top. Go to Full Review
Tom Atkinson Flickering Myth Oct 24, 2025
4/5
Brash, bloody, and knowingly ridiculous, but also smart enough to reinvent an entire sub-genre with a smile. For all its decaying flesh and flying limbs, it’s a film that’s very much alive. Go to Full Review
Gavin Spoors FILMHOUNDS Magazine Sep 30, 2025
5/5
Arrow Video provides the best way to watch one of the best horror films in cinema. The Return of the Living Dead plays just as well as it did when it originally came out forty years ago. Go to Full Review
Robert Sellers Radio Times Aug 31, 2025
3/5
A must for horror fans. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Stephanie S @hweenbaby 1 hr ago This is one of my top zombie movies! So much fun and so quotable! It’s good old fashioned drive-in fare that never takes itself too seriously, but, at the same time, you become totally invested in the characters. A must see for zombie fans! See more Joel H @786Joel 1 day ago These are the smartest zombies I’ve ever seen and they’re part of such a dumb movie. However, The Return of the Living Dead knows it’s dumb. So as the undead are talking and using the police radio, you kind of just chuckle at it. The zombies are also very articulate for ghouls with no lips. The creature effects look great, by the way, but the "teens" are terrible. I hated almost every line they delivered and almost every scene they were in. So. Much. Overacting. But I didn’t hate this movie. In fact, it’s kind of amusing. So even though Return of the Living Dead isn’t clever, it’s got some brains. See more KH B @SilkySmooth 4 days ago This was the first R rated movie I saw in theaters with friends. Absolutely loved it and the punk soundtrack. James Karen was totally believable. “That’s not a bad question Burt.” See more David S @Teradactyl719 Oct 22, 2026 Kind of like a Michael Jackson's Thriller version of Night of the Living Dead. It's kind of silly. The movie does not have a good story point for the movie. See more Alex B @AlexBioni Oct 20, 2026 BRAINS This is an over the top, goofy zombie comedy. The opening is so ridiculous you can't help but laugh. The movie constantly brings Night of the Living Dead to mind since John Russo helped write it. He and George Romero wanted different things for the series, so Russo went his own way. I prefer George's movies, but you can't deny this is a great, fun zombie flick. It's very 80s, from the music to the group of kids partying in a cemetery. It's original, highly rewatchable, and a big departure from Romero's more serious tone. Frank is so over the top that he's iconic, and it's hilarious watching the situation get worse and worse. The practical effects are awesome, especially the zombie from the vat. He gives me Creepshow vibes, like the monster in “Father's Day.” The skeletons and bodies rising out of the ground are also fantastic. This is just a ridiculously entertaining zombie movie! See more Brad F @RT73883970 Oct 9, 2026 One of my favorite films for its rare ability to scare and make you laugh. It's not quite kitsch, but it uses odd slapstick in places, keeping it in conflict with its fear-based elements. It is overly quotable and has an incredible soundtrack. An all-time classic. See more Read all reviews
The Return of the Living Dead

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Movie Info

Synopsis When foreman Frank (James Karen) shows new employee Freddy (Thom Mathews) a secret military experiment in a supply warehouse, the two klutzes accidentally release a gas that reanimates corpses into flesh-eating zombies. As the epidemic spreads throughout Louisville, Ky., and the creatures satisfy their hunger in gory and outlandish ways, Frank and Freddy fight to survive with the help of their boss (Clu Gulager) and a mysterious mortician (Don Calfa).
Director
Dan O'Bannon
Producer
Tom Fox
Screenwriter
Dan O'Bannon
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Cinema 84, Hemdale, Greenberg Brothers Partnership, Fox Films Ltd.
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 16, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 31m
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