The Return of the Living Dead
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Movie Details
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Videos & Photos
- Trailer for this classic gore film follow up (02:43)
- Clip: Zombie Attack (00:51)
Movie Info & Cast
Synopsis
An accidental military gas leak in a Kentucky warehouse reanimates the dead, triggering a localized outbreak that forces survivors to contend with an insatiable, agony-driven hunger while military prepares a nuclear containment solution.
Cast
- Clu Gulager
- James Karen
- Don Calfa
- Thom Mathews
- Beverly Randolph
- John Philbin
- Jewel Shepard
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
- Brian Peck
- Linnea Quigley
Letterboxd User Reviews
3.8
194.8K
82.1K
72.0K
- Sep 4, 2019
“YOU MEAN THE MOVIE LIED??”
lizzy deaneOct 30, 2020Sublime. It just goes to show that when you put morticians and punks together the pieces just sort of fall into place. Nature’s Companions.
Branson ReeseOct 22, 2025I don't know if this actually happened in real life
James (Schaffrillas) - Oct 11, 2022
Linnea Quigley naked, drenched in acid rain dancing on a gravestone openly wishing a bunch of zombies would start biting and eating her alive is a level of partying I can only strive for.
CinemaVoid 🏴☠️Nov 4, 2019Good and goopy
Patrick WillemsOct 4, 2020This movie is that started the obsession of horror for me. At the time when it came out I was in high school and had been watching horror for 10 years but I have seen this movie more than other horror movie. For me this is the best horror comedy. You may ask why is it not…
Dyrnott - Aug 28, 2023
80 Surfin' dead. Gosh, the nuance and detail of the characterization in this zombie comedy is way above the norm. It always takes me by surprise. Not to mention the *tremendous* gore effects, which lend a gross-out edge and an existential reckoning to its highlight reel…
SilentDawnOct 9, 2025“I can feel myself rot” is the sexiest sentence that’s ever been uttered
Blue GhostsJul 3, 2020There’s about 7 or 8 movies that, during my teens, I watched endlessly—This was one of them. Return of the Living Dead is a perfect example of the phrase ‘the stars alligned’... I love everything about this movie and it brings me Pure joy. Not much I can add other than I…
Ian West
Queue Community Reviews
94%
Community 2,396
Top Reviews
- Superbad lovedThe Return of the Living Dead
This is an amazing classic, its extremely fun and campy The zombies are indestructible and actually pose a threat, the tar man is genuinely scary as well
Jikitiz likedThe Return of the Living DeadWeapon
Morgan lovedThe Return of the Living Deadso campy and over the top but somehow understands the true terror of zombies at the same time, these are unkillable and way too conscious, and tar man is just next level i adored this, it’s so much fun and the effects are a joy to witness loved even as a non zombie lover
- Dylan Bradley lovedThe Return of the Living Dead
Man, this movie is fun. Hysterical beats that hold up really well and practical effects that still look awesome. Maybe not the first “zombie” but that scene is so funny it doesn’t really matter. Definitely recommend this movie to watch!
MovieDaddy likedThe Return of the Living DeadA quintessential horror/comedy (maybe not entirely intentionally comical) that gets more fun upon each viewing. Certain zombie tropes were born in this movie and live on today. Also, Linnea Quigley is a goddess!
Orlando Ramone lovedThe Return of the Living DeadMy second favorite zombie movie ever made (the first being Dawn Of The Dead “78). This one takes lace on July 3rd, making it an excellent movie to watch on 4th of July “when the fireworks go off”! *wink wink*
- your mami likedThe Return of the Living Dead
like the take on zombies and actually entertaining spoilers(??? it’s more realistic that they don’t die, and ofc they’re always in pain since they can feel themselves rot away. i find that interesting
nevan likedThe Return of the Living Deaddecent zombie film with enough horror and humor for the average fan. performances are quite strong as is the camera-work, even if the effects can be cheesy and the writing lazy. still a good time
Lee lovedThe Return of the Living DeadYeah, THIS is a cult classic. If you're a baddie and into camp, practical effects, zombies, and dancing naked in acid rain, this is for you. When's the Sydney Sweeney remake?
Atom Users Reviews
Metacritic
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.
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Essential, enormous fun.
Chris Hewitt (1)
Empire
Though certainly not for the squeamish, the film is by no means the ultimate horror movie it aspires to be. The volume of stagy gore quickly reaches a point of diminishing returns. And rather than trying to sustain a mood of grim suspense, the writer-director Dan O'Bannon has conceived this cinematic cousin of Night of the Living Dead as a mordant punk comedy.
Stephen Holden
The New York Times
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Return of the Living Dead (1985) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as R, meaning that Under 17 requires an adult accompaniment.
How long is The Return of the Living Dead (1985)?
The movie is 1hr 31min long.
What's The Return of the Living Dead (1985) about?
An accidental military gas leak in a Kentucky warehouse reanimates the dead, triggering a localized outbreak that forces survivors to contend with an insatiable, agony-driven hunger while military prepares a nuclear containment solution.
Who's the cast of The Return of the Living Dead (1985)?
- Clu Gulager as Burt
- James Karen as Frank
- Don Calfa as Ernie
- Thom Mathews as Freddy
- Beverly Randolph as Tina
- John Philbin as Chuck
- Jewel Shepard as Casey
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr. as Spider
- Brian Peck as Scuz
- Linnea Quigley as Trash
Who's the director behind The Return of the Living Dead (1985)?
Dan O'Bannon directed The Return of the Living Dead (1985).
Who produced The Return of the Living Dead (1985)?
Tom Fox produced The Return of the Living Dead (1985).
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