The Day After (1983)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(8,887 ratings)

A peaceful Midwestern city attempts to recover after it is destroyed by a nuclear missile strike in this powerful and deeply disturbing testament to the folly of pro-military hawks who believed that annihilation was a justifiable means of attaining power and control. The Day After originally aired… More A peaceful Midwestern city attempts to recover after it is destroyed by a nuclear missile strike in this powerful and deeply disturbing testament to the folly of pro-military hawks who believed that annihilation was a justifiable means of attaining power and control. The Day After originally aired on network television. At the end of the broadcast, many stations offered teams of counselors staffing 800 telephone numbers to help distraught viewers calm down. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Meyer
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Television, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Nov 20, 1983 Wide
On DVD: May 18, 2004

Critic Reviews

Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
a classic, and important tv movie
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[T]he most realistic depiction of nuclear war ever created for family consumption, they told us. No, scratch that: ABC hyped that, preying on our anxieties...
Clint Morris, Mediasharx
An unforgettable and highly moving experience. I guarantee you - you won't forget it. * * * * stars

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leigh R

Boring. Yet I was compelled to watch... weird.
Daniel H

Focusing on the stories of Middle-American families in the aftermath of a Nuclear attack, this film follows a long heritage of films depicting the effects of Nuclear Fallout. Sadly, this one isn't terribly good, especially if one has seen earlier treatment of the same material… More
Focusing on the stories of Middle-American families in the aftermath of a Nuclear attack, this film follows a long heritage of films depicting the effects of Nuclear Fallout. Sadly, this one isn't terribly good, especially if one has seen earlier treatment of the same material (The War Game, for example). Far too often one is reminded that this is a made-for-TV movie. The film is made as if the only way to make someone learn about Nuclear Fallout is to pander: there is a vast cast of characters, each with their own melodrama, so everyone can relate so something... which ends up making its 2 long hours a foggy mess. Still, a few moments manage to be actual cinema, especially a moment where, with Russian missiles incoming, a mother refuses to stop making her bed, and has to be dragged screaming into the basement/family bomb shelter. Despite some shocking and honest treatment of material, this film still plays more as melodrama than as a social commentary.
Lafe F

Shocking and depressing. Watching this makes you want to get rid of all nuclear weapons in the world. The scenes of everybody frying instantly were haunting.
ken j

The Day After follows the story of a group of citzens in kansas trying to help out get home rebuild and just plain stay alive after the US and Moscow attacked each other with nuclear missles and the few surviors or left to deal with the fall out. Made For Tv movie really well done… More
The Day After follows the story of a group of citzens in kansas trying to help out get home rebuild and just plain stay alive after the US and Moscow attacked each other with nuclear missles and the few surviors or left to deal with the fall out. Made For Tv movie really well done story is alittle bit thin and does take abit to get its point across but well worth a watch for people into disaster pics.