“The Thing” is a horror movie series that explores the consequences of encountering an extraterrestrial life form in Antarctica. Directed by John Carpenter, the first film was released in 1982 and was a remake of the 1951 film “The Thing from Another World.” The franchise also includes a prequel released in 2011.
One of the primary themes of the series is the fear of the unknown and the concept of trust. As the characters in the films are forced to confront the alien threat, they must also question their own loyalty and the motives of those around them. Additionally, the series also explores the consequences of scientific experimentation and the potential for technology to be used for destructive purposes.
People love “The Thing” franchise for its unique blend of horror, science fiction, and suspense. The films are known for their tense atmosphere, memorable special effects, and engaging storylines. The series has also been praised for its strong performances, particularly by Kurt Russell in the lead role.
“The Thing” franchise has become a cult classic and has a dedicated fanbase. Its popularity has led to numerous adaptations, including a comic book series and a video game. The series has also influenced other horror and science fiction films, with elements of its storytelling and creature design appearing in movies such as “Alien” and “Stranger Things.”
One interesting fact about the franchise is that the special effects for the original film were created using practical techniques, such as prosthetics and puppetry, rather than computer-generated imagery. This has helped to give the series a unique visual style that has stood the test of time. Additionally, the original film was not initially well-received by critics but has since been reappraised as a classic of the horror genre.
Overall, “The Thing” is a franchise that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of suspense, horror, and science fiction. Its themes of trust, fear of the unknown, and the consequences of scientific experimentation continue to be relevant to this day, making it a timeless classic.
If you enjoyed “The Thing” and are looking for similar movies to watch, here are nine recommendations:
- “Alien” (1979) – Directed by Ridley Scott, this classic sci-fi horror film follows a crew of astronauts as they encounter a deadly extraterrestrial life form.
- “The Fly” (1986) – Directed by David Cronenberg, this body horror film tells the story of a scientist who accidentally merges his DNA with that of a housefly, leading to terrifying consequences.
- “Event Horizon” (1997) – Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, this sci-fi horror film follows a rescue crew investigating a spacecraft that has disappeared on a mission to explore a black hole.
- “The Descent” (2005) – Directed by Neil Marshall, this claustrophobic horror film follows a group of women who become trapped in an underground cave system and must fight for survival against monstrous creatures.
- “The Mist” (2007) – Directed by Frank Darabont, this horror film follows a group of people who become trapped in a supermarket when a mysterious mist envelops their town and releases deadly creatures.
- “Annihilation” (2018) – Directed by Alex Garland, this sci-fi horror film follows a group of scientists who enter a mysterious environmental disaster zone to uncover the secrets of a strange phenomenon.
- “Underwater” (2020) – Directed by William Eubank, this action horror film follows a group of researchers who become stranded at the bottom of the ocean after their laboratory is destroyed by an earthquake.
- “The Void” (2016) – Directed by Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie, this horror film follows a group of people trapped in a hospital where a gateway to another dimension has been opened, unleashing terrifying creatures.
- “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978) – Directed by Philip Kaufman, this sci-fi horror film follows a health inspector who discovers that alien pods are replacing humans with emotionless duplicates.
Contents
1. “Alien” (1979)
Directed by Ridley Scott, “Alien” is a classic sci-fi horror movie that follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo as they investigate a distress signal from a nearby planet. As they explore the planet, they come across a deadly extraterrestrial creature that begins to hunt them down one by one.
Similar to “The Thing,” “Alien” creates a sense of tension and claustrophobia as the crew members are trapped on the spaceship with the deadly creature. The film also deals with themes of isolation, survival, and the fear of the unknown. The special effects, particularly the design of the alien creature, are both terrifying and memorable, and the film’s soundtrack adds to the overall sense of unease.
2. “The Fly” (1986)
Directed by David Cronenberg, “The Fly” is a body horror movie that tells the story of a scientist named Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) who accidentally merges his DNA with that of a housefly. As Brundle slowly transforms into a monstrous hybrid, he becomes increasingly dangerous and unstable.
Similar to “The Thing,” “The Fly” explores the consequences of scientific experimentation and the potential dangers of technology. The film also deals with themes of identity, transformation, and the fear of losing control. Jeff Goldblum’s performance as Brundle is both sympathetic and disturbing, and the film’s practical effects are impressive and gruesome.
3. “Event Horizon” (1997)
Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, “Event Horizon” is a sci-fi horror movie that follows a rescue crew as they investigate the disappearance of a spacecraft called the Event Horizon. As they explore the ship, they begin to experience horrifying hallucinations and realize that the ship’s experimental engine has opened a gateway to hell.
Similar to “The Thing,” “Event Horizon” creates a sense of paranoia and tension as the crew members are trapped on the ship with unknown and terrifying forces. The film also deals with themes of the unknown and the dangers of exploring the mysteries of the universe. The special effects and production design are both impressive and unsettling, and the film’s use of practical effects adds to its visceral impact.
In summary, “Alien,” “The Fly,” and “Event Horizon” are all excellent examples of sci-fi horror movies that share similarities with “The Thing.” They all create a sense of tension, isolation, and fear of the unknown, and deal with themes of scientific experimentation and the potential dangers of technology. These films are must-watches for fans of the horror and science fiction genres.
4. “The Descent” (2005)
Directed by Neil Marshall, “The Descent” is a claustrophobic horror movie that follows a group of women who become trapped in an underground cave system while on a spelunking expedition. As they attempt to find their way out, they encounter terrifying creatures that begin to hunt them down.
Similar to “The Thing,” “The Descent” creates a sense of paranoia and isolation as the group is trapped in an unfamiliar environment with deadly creatures. The film also deals with themes of survival, grief, and the potential dangers of pushing oneself too far. The practical effects and cinematography add to the overall tension of the film, making it a terrifying and memorable experience.
5. “The Mist” (2007)
Directed by Frank Darabont, “The Mist” is a horror movie that follows a group of people who become trapped in a supermarket when a mysterious mist envelops their town and releases deadly creatures. As they attempt to survive, tensions rise and alliances are tested.
Similar to “The Thing,” “The Mist” creates a sense of paranoia and mistrust as the group is trapped together and must face an unknown and deadly threat. The film also deals with themes of religion, morality, and the fear of the unknown. The ending of the film is particularly memorable and thought-provoking, making “The Mist” a standout in the horror genre.
6. “Annihilation” (2018)
Directed by Alex Garland, “Annihilation” is a sci-fi horror movie that follows a group of scientists as they enter a mysterious environmental disaster zone called “The Shimmer” to uncover the secrets of a strange phenomenon. As they explore The Shimmer, they encounter bizarre and terrifying mutations that threaten their sanity and their lives.
Similar to “The Thing,” “Annihilation” creates a sense of unease and uncertainty as the group ventures into an unknown and dangerous environment. The film also deals with themes of identity, transformation, and the unknown, making it a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating horror movie. The visual effects and cinematography are both impressive and otherworldly, creating a sense of awe and terror.
In summary, “The Descent,” “The Mist,” and “Annihilation” are all excellent examples of horror movies that share similarities with “The Thing.” They all create a sense of paranoia, isolation, and fear of the unknown, and deal with themes of survival, transformation, and the dangers of exploring the mysteries of the universe. These films are must-watches for fans of the horror and science fiction genres.
7. “Underwater” (2020)
Directed by William Eubank, “Underwater” is a horror movie that follows a group of researchers who become trapped in an underwater research facility after an earthquake devastates the structure. As they attempt to escape, they discover that they are not alone and must confront deadly creatures that threaten their survival.
Similar to “The Thing,” “Underwater” creates a sense of isolation and claustrophobia as the group is trapped in an unfamiliar environment with deadly creatures. The film also deals with themes of survival, sacrifice, and the unknown, making it a tense and thrilling horror movie. The practical effects and cinematography add to the overall terror of the film, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
8. “The Void” (2016)
Directed by Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie, “The Void” is a horror movie that follows a group of people who become trapped in a hospital during a cult ritual gone wrong. As they attempt to survive, they must confront otherworldly creatures and their own inner demons.
Similar to “The Thing,” “The Void” creates a sense of paranoia and mistrust as the group is trapped together and must face an unknown and deadly threat. The film also deals with themes of transformation, religion, and the fear of the unknown. The practical effects and cinematography add to the overall atmosphere of the film, making it a terrifying and memorable experience.
9. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978)
Directed by Philip Kaufman, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a sci-fi horror movie that follows a group of people who discover that their friends and family are being replaced by alien pod people who look identical but lack emotions. As they attempt to survive and stop the invasion, they must constantly question who they can trust.
Similar to “The Thing,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” creates a sense of paranoia and mistrust as the characters must constantly question who is human and who is a pod person. The film also deals with themes of identity, conformity, and the fear of losing one’s individuality. The practical effects and cinematography are both impressive and add to the overall atmosphere of the film, making it a classic in the horror and sci-fi genres.
In summary, “Underwater,” “The Void,” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” are all excellent examples of horror movies that share similarities with “The Thing.” They all create a sense of paranoia, isolation, and fear of the unknown, and deal with themes of survival, transformation, and the dangers of exploring the mysteries of the universe. These films are must-watches for fans of the horror and science fiction genres.
Here are the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores for the following movies in a table:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomato Score |
| Alien (1979) | 8.4 | 97% |
| The Fly (1986) | 7.6 | 91% |
| Event Horizon (1997) | 6.7 | 24% |
| The Descent (2005) | 7.2 | 85% |
| The Mist (2007) | 7.1 | 73% |
| Annihilation (2018) | 6.8 | 89% |
| Underwater (2020) | 5.8 | 47% |
| The Void (2016) | 5.8 | 77% |
| Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) | 7.4 | 94% |
Note that IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores are subject to change over time.
