HorroRated archive entry

The Return of the Living Dead

HorroRated verdict
Highly Recommended
1980sZombieHorror ComedyCult ClassicPractical FX
Directed by
Dan O'Bannon
Written by
Dan O'Bannon, John A. Russo, Russell Streiner, Rudy Ricci
Produced by
Tom Fox, John Daly, Derek Gibson, Grahame Jennings, Graham Henderson

Why it’s HorroRated

Return of the Living Dead invented the brain-eating zombie while also being extremely funny about it, which is a combination almost nobody else has pulled off. Dan O'Bannon figured out how to make zombies faster and smarter and funnier without losing any of the dread. The punk soundtrack fits the chaos perfectly. Essential.

Synopsis

The gas reanimates the dead, and the situation spreads to a punk group partying in the graveyard. Dan O'Bannon invented the brain-eating zombie here while also making a genuinely funny film about it, which is a harder combination to pull off than it sounds. The punk soundtrack fits the chaos perfectly.

Filed under

Quick facts

Release date
April 25, 1985
Runtime
1 hour 31 mins
Country
United Kingdom, United States of America
Language
English
Content rating
R
Entry type
Movie

Tags

The Return of the Living Dead trailer