The Return of the Living Dead
The Return of the Living Dead

The Return of the Living Dead

1985Movie91 minEnglish

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.

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Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users89%
Director: Dan O'BannonGenres: Horror, Comedy, Science Fiction

Plot Summary

In a desperate attempt by a special effects company to retrieve a dangerous chemical gas that reanimates the dead, two employees accidentally unleash a horde of zombies. As the situation escalates into a full-blown apocalypse, they must team up with a group of punk rockers and a cemetery caretaker to survive the night. The film blends gore with dark humor as the undead creatures exhibit an unnatural intelligence and an insatiable hunger.

Critical Reception

The Return of the Living Dead was a commercial success and has since become a cult classic. Praised for its unique take on the zombie genre, its punk rock aesthetic, and its blend of horror and comedy, it is often cited as a significant film in zombie movie history. While some critics initially found its humor and violence excessive, its enduring popularity speaks to its appeal to both horror fans and a wider audience.

What Reviewers Say

  • A highly influential and darkly comedic take on the zombie genre, injecting punk rock energy and inventive gore.
  • Celebrated for its unique portrayal of zombies, who are intelligent, fast, and crave brains.
  • Successfully balances genuine scares with outrageous humor, making it a cult favorite.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praise 'The Return of the Living Dead' for its groundbreaking approach to the zombie subgenre, appreciating its blend of horror and comedy, its memorable characters, and its lasting impact on pop culture. Many highlight its 'brain-eating' zombies and unique visual style as standout features.

Fun Fact

The iconic line "Send more paramedics" was improvised by actor James Karen during filming.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

“Burt” (Clu Gulager) is regaling new boy “Freddy” (Thom Matthews) with spooky tales in their medical supply warehouse and that takes them to the basement where the relics of the last zombie attack were stored in hermetically sealed metal ja...
Gimly

Gimly

So. Much. Damn. Fun. _The Return of the Living Dead_ always takes me back to being a teenager. In a good way. _Trash is taking off her clothes again._ _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your t...