The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
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90% of critics liked it
(30 reviews) -
71% of users liked it
(54,000 ratings)
Middle-aged family man Frank (Jim Karen) trains teenaged Freddy (Thom Matthews) for his new job at a medical supply warehouse. In an effort to impress and frighten his young charge, practical joker Frank reveals that the warehouse basement contains a cannister full of a mysterious chemical capable… More Middle-aged family man Frank (Jim Karen) trains teenaged Freddy (Thom Matthews) for his new job at a medical supply warehouse. In an effort to impress and frighten his young charge, practical joker Frank reveals that the warehouse basement contains a cannister full of a mysterious chemical capable of bringing the dead back to life. It seems that the cannister fell off the back of an army truck during an accidental outbreak of zombiedom. Frank and Freddy unwittingly inhale the chemical and release it into the warehouse. Turning to the operator of a nearby crematorium for help in destroying the suddenly undead specimens that surround them, they unwittingly awaken the residents of a nearby cemetary just as Freddy's pals arrive to party amidst the headstones and wait for their friend's shift to end. Meanwhile, Col. Glover (Jonathan Terry) waits for the call that his missing chemical weapon has been unleashed. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Directed By
- Dan O'Bannon
- Written By
- Dan O'Bannon
- Genres
- Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1985 Wide
- Studio
- HBO Video
Critic Reviews
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Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
For pure eighties, punk rock, walking dead, brain eating mayhem, this is the film to watch.
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Ian Berriman, SFX Magazine
A zom-com blessed with real tension and characters you can actually care about, it's superior to at least three of George Romero's Dead movies (possibly four.
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Anton Bitel, Little White Lies
this overnight zombie apocalypse is a tongue-in-cheek brainload of hard-rocking fun.
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Matthew Sorrento, Film Threat
Bastard Son of a Prodigal Son: Interview on The Complete History of The Return of the Living Dead
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Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Ed O'Bannon and John Russo may have intended The Return of the Living Dead as a comedy, but it's just too damn gory, too scary and too good to be dismissed as a zom com.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Clu Gulager
as Burt
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James Karen
as Frank
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Don Calfa
as Ernie
- Thom Mathews
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Beverly Randolph
as Tina
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John Philbin
as Chuck
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Linnea Quigley
as Trash
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Jewel Shepard
as Casey
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Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
as Spider
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Brian Peck
as Scuz
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Mark Venturini
as Suicide
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Jonathan Terry
as Col. Glover
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Cathleen Cordell
as Colonel's Wife
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Robert J. Bennett
as Headless Tarman
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David Bond
as Radio Corpse
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Michael Crabtree
as Riot Cop
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Robert Craighead
as Cop
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James Dalesandro
as Paramedic
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Cherry Davis
as 1/2 Lady Corpse
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John Durbin
as Radio Corpse
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Ed Krieger
as Riot Cop
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Thom Matthews
as Freddy
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Alexandre Trauner
as Tarman
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Derrick Brice
as Gunnery Sergeant
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Paul Cloud
as Cop
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Jerome "Daniels" Coleman
as Legless Corpse
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Drew Deighan
as Paramedic
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Leigh Drake
as Dispatcher
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Terrence M. Houlihan
as Yellow Cadaver
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Bob Libman
as Tac Squad Captain
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John Stuart West
as Riot Cop
- Stanzi Stokes
- Beverly Hartley




