“The Thing” is a classic horror movie that has gained a cult following over the years. Its unique storyline, engaging characters, and gruesome special effects make it one of the most iconic horror movies ever. If you’re a fan of “The Thing” and are looking for similar movies to watch, then you’re in luck. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 10 movies like “The Thing” that will satisfy your craving for horror.
Review of “The Thing”
“The Thing” is a 1982 science-fiction horror movie directed by John Carpenter. The film stars Kurt Russell, Keith David, and Wilford Brimley. It follows a team of researchers in Antarctica who discover a parasitic extraterrestrial life form that can assimilate and mimic any organism it comes into contact with. The researchers must find a way to identify and eliminate the alien before it destroys them all.
“The Thing” is a masterful horror movie that combines suspense, gore, and body horror to create a genuinely terrifying experience. The special effects, created by Rob Bottin, are some of the most gruesome and realistic ever put on film. Kurt Russell gives a standout performance as the lead character, R.J. MacReady. Overall, “The Thing” is a must-watch for horror fans.
Top 10 Movies like “The Thing”
1. “Alien” (1979)
IMDb rating: 8.4 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 1h 57min
“Alien” is a classic science-fiction horror movie directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979. The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt, among others. The movie follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo, who are awakened from their cryogenic sleep to investigate a distress signal on an unknown planet. They find a terrifying creature that begins to hunt them down individually.
“Alien” is a masterclass in suspense and terror, with stunning visual effects and a haunting score by Jerry Goldsmith. The performances by the cast are top-notch, with Weaver delivering a standout performance as the strong and resourceful Ellen Ripley.
The film has become a cultural phenomenon and spawned a successful franchise. It has influenced countless movies in the science-fiction and horror genres and remains a beloved classic.
2. “The Fly” (1986)
IMDb rating: 7.6 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 1h 36min
“The Fly” is a horror movie directed by David Cronenberg and released in 1986. The film stars Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis in the lead roles. The movie follows scientist Seth Brundle (Goldblum), who creates a teleportation device and decides to test it on himself. However, an unexpected accident during the experiment leads to his DNA becoming fused with a housefly’s. As he transforms into a monstrous creature, Brundle’s girlfriend Veronica (Davis) tries to help him find a cure. “The Fly” is a disturbing and intense movie that explores themes of science gone wrong and the consequences of playing God. The special effects are impressive, with Goldblum’s transformation being particularly memorable.
The performances by the cast are excellent, with Goldblum delivering a standout performance as the tragic and grotesque Brundle. The movie’s score, composed by Howard Shore, adds to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
3. “The Blob” (1988)
IMDb rating: 6.5 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 1h 35min
“The Blob” is a science-fiction horror movie directed by Chuck Russell and released in 1988. The film is a remake of the 1958 movie of the same name and stars Kevin Dillon and Shawnee Smith. The movie follows a small town terrorized by a mysterious, deadly creature that emerges from a meteorite. As the creature grows and devours everything in its path, a group of teenagers and a brave nurse must come together to try to stop it before it consumes the entire town.
“The Blob” is a fun and thrilling movie that delivers scares and special effects. The practical effects used to create the creature are impressive, and the film has a great sense of humour and self-awareness.
The performances by the cast are solid, with Dillon and Smith delivering enjoyable performances. The movie’s score, composed by Michael Hoenig, is also noteworthy and adds to the film’s tension.
4. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978)
IMDb rating: 7.4 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 1h 55min
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a science-fiction horror movie directed by Philip Kaufman and released in 1978. The film is a remake of the 1956 movie of the same name and stars Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, and Jeff Goldblum.
The movie follows a group of people who begin to suspect that emotionless alien duplicates have replaced their friends and loved ones. As the conspiracy grows, the group must fight for survival and try to stop the aliens from taking over the world.
The film is a masterclass in tension and paranoia, with a slow build-up that gradually escalates into a horrifying and thrilling climax. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Sutherland delivering a standout performance as the protagonist Matthew Bennell.
5. “The Descent” (2005)
IMDb rating: 7.2 | Genre: Horror/Adventure | Country: UK | Duration: 1h 39min
“The Descent” is a horror movie directed by Neil Marshall and released in 2005. The film stars an all-female cast, including Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, and Alex Reid.
The movie follows a group of adventurous women who go on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains. However, when they become trapped underground and discover they are not alone, they must fight to survive against terrifying creatures.
“The Descent” is a tense and claustrophobic movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Macdonald delivering a standout performance as the protagonist Sarah.
The movie’s cinematography is impressive, with the dark and claustrophobic caves creating a sense of dread and unease throughout the film. The special effects used to create the creatures are also noteworthy and add to the movie’s horror.
6. “The Thing from Another World” (1951)
IMDb rating: 7.1 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 1h 27min
“The Thing from Another World” is a science-fiction horror movie directed by Christian Nyby and released in 1951. The film stars Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan, and James Arness.
The movie follows a team of scientists and military personnel who discover a crashed UFO in the Arctic and the frozen alien body recovered from the wreckage. However, when the scientists begin to thaw out the alien, they soon realize that it is not dead, and it begins to wreak havoc on the research station.
“The Thing from Another World” is a classic example of a 1950s sci-fi horror movie, with a mix of suspense, action, and horror. The performances by the cast are solid, with Tobey delivering a standout performance as the lead character, Captain Hendry.
The movie’s special effects, particularly the design of the alien, are impressive for their time and still hold up today. The film’s score, composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, also adds to the tension and horror of the movie.
7. “Event Horizon” (1997)
IMDb rating: 6.7 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: UK | Duration: 1h 36min
“Event Horizon” is a science-fiction horror movie directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and released in 1997. The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, and Kathleen Quinlan.
The movie follows a rescue crew sent to investigate the sudden reappearance of the spaceship Event Horizon, which disappeared seven years earlier while on a mission to explore the edges of the solar system. However, once they board the ship, they discover that it has been to a place far beyond our universe and that the crew has been subjected to unimaginable horrors.
“Event Horizon” is a disturbing and terrifying movie that blends sci-fi and horror elements to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Neill delivering a standout performance as the ship’s creator, Dr Weir.
The movie’s production design, special effects, and cinematography are also noteworthy, with the ship’s dark and eerie atmosphere adding to the film’s horror. The movie’s score, composed by Michael Kamen, is haunting and adds to the unsettling nature of the movie.
8. “The Mist” (2007)
IMDb rating: 7.1 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 2h 6min
“The Mist” is a horror movie directed by Frank Darabont and released in 2007. The film stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, and Laurie Holden.
The movie follows a group of people trapped in a small town supermarket after a mysterious mist descends upon the town, bringing terrifying creatures with it. As the survivors try to figure out a way to escape, they must also deal with the increasing tensions and conflicts among themselves.
“The Mist” is a tense and gripping horror movie combining suspense, action, and psychological horror elements. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Jane delivering a standout performance as the lead character, David Drayton.
The movie’s special effects, particularly the design of the creatures, are impressive and terrifying. The film’s score, composed by Mark Isham, also adds to the tension and horror of the movie.
9. “The Host” (2006)
IMDb rating: 7.1 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: South Korea | Duration: 2h
“The Host” is a South Korean monster movie directed by Bong Joon-ho and released in 2006. The film stars Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, and Park Hae-il.
The movie follows a dysfunctional family who must band together to rescue their youngest member after she is taken by a monster that emerges from the Han River in Seoul. As they try to save her, they must also avoid the military, attempting to contain the monster and its virus.
“The Host” is a thrilling and unique monster movie that blends horror, comedy, and family drama elements. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Song Kang-ho delivering a standout performance as the bumbling but determined father, Park Gang-du.
The movie’s special effects, particularly the monster’s design, are impressive and realistic. The film’s score, composed by Lee Byung-woo, also adds to the tension and emotion of the movie.
10. “Annihilation” (2018)
IMDb rating: 6.8 | Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi | Country: USA | Duration: 1h 55min
“Annihilation” is a science fiction movie directed by Alex Garland and released in 2018. The film stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tessa Thompson.
The movie follows a group of scientists who enter an environmental disaster zone known as “The Shimmer” to uncover its mysteries. As they explore the area, they encounter strange and terrifying mutations of the flora and fauna, leading to psychological breakdowns and paranoia.
“Annihilation” is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that explores identity, change, and the nature of existence. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Portman delivering a standout performance as the lead character, Lena.
The movie’s special effects and production design are also impressive and immersive. The film’s score, composed by Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury, adds to the otherworldly and unsettling atmosphere of the movie.
Overall, these 10 movies, like “The Thing”, offers a wide range of horror subgenres, from body horror to creature features to psychological horror. If you’re a fan of “The Thing” and horror, check them out.