Stream John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ and Its Prequel for Free on Tubi This April!

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1982 saw the emergence of some of the most cherished and successful science fiction films to grace the big screen, with Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” “Tron,” and “Blade Runner” all premiering that summer. However, none of these masterpieces could match the chilling or terrifying atmosphere created by director John Carpenter’s must-watch “The Thing.” Fans who have loved this sci-fi horror classic for decades and those yet to experience its brilliance will get another chance to brave the harsh cold of Antarctica starting April Fools’ Day, as both “The Thing” and its remake with the same name become available for free streaming on Tubi.

John, a passionate admirer of Howard Hawks’ 1951 movie “The Thing from Another World,” found inspiration for his remake and subtly acknowledged the classic by including it in the children’s movie selection in “Halloween” (1978). In the original film, James Arness, known for his role as Marshall Dillon on “Gunsmoke,” played the main antagonist. However, John amplified the horror aspects with graphic violence and gore in his version. Despite earning less than other sci-fi films from 1982, “The Thing” grossed $20.8 million globally during its initial cinema run.

Adjusted for current value, “The Thing” would have earned approximately $68.8 million after accounting for inflation. This isn’t a record-breaking box office hit, but it certainly wasn’t a failure either. Both critics and fans continue to praise “The Thing,” with many considering it a timeless classic. Notably, the film received a 85% Tomatometer score and an impressive 92% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes (formerly the Popcornmeter). Regrettably, the eagerly awaited 2011 prequel failed to match up to its predecessors’ success.

Critics and Fans Despised ‘The Thing’ Prequel

As a passionate film enthusiast, if you’re captivated by John Carpenter’s chilling masterpiece, “The Thing” from 1982, let me remind you of its predecessor, “The Thing from Another World,” released in 1951. The mesmerizing narrative brilliance of John W. Campbell, who often wrote under the pen name Don Stuart, laid the foundation for this cinematic terror saga. His renowned sci-fi horror novella, “Who Goes There?”, published in 1938, is a must-read for any literature aficionado and served as the inspiration behind both films. Unfortunately, when Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. directed the prequel, “The Thing,” in 2011, he fell short of recapturing the magic that had been woven by the original book and its silver-screen counterparts.

The movie starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton received heavy criticism from critics, earning a poor 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes. On the Tomatometer, fans weren’t as harsh, but the film still didn’t do well with a 43% rating on the Popcornmeter. In contrast, audiences who saw it in theaters had a more positive view of the prequel, although its CinemaScore was only a “B-“. Unfortunately, this moderate score didn’t boost the box office earnings for The Thing.

Initially, “The Thing” failed spectacularly during its cinema release, with its 2011 prequel earning nearly identical results in North America compared to foreign markets. Ultimately, it grossed just $31.5 million globally, making it clear that this film was a box office disaster given that its production costs exceeded $38 million even before accounting for promotional and marketing expenses.

Beginning Tuesday, April 1st, you can stream both John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and its 2011 prequel for free on Tubi. Until then, don’t forget to watch “The Thing from Another World”, which is available for free on Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Xumo Play. Both the 1951 and 1982 adaptations of the renowned novella are valuable additions to cinema, but it’s undeniable that John Carpenter’s “The Thing” becomes more captivating as time passes, with Kurt Russell’s spellbinding performance being a significant factor.

Sources: Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes

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2025-03-29 15:02