Watch The Return of the Living Dead

The Return of the Living Dead is a horror-comedy film from 1985 directed by Dan O'Bannon. The film follows two employees, Frank (James Karen) and Freddy (Thom Mathews), of a medical supply warehouse who accidentally release a gas that reanimates the dead. When they are unable to contain the outbreak, the two men turn to their boss (Clu Gulager) and a group of punk rockers to help them survive the night.

The film opens with Frank and Freddy being given a tour of the warehouse by their boss, Burt. Burt shows them a military drum filled with corpses and explains that it was part of an experiment to create a new weapon. When Burt leaves, Frank and Freddy decide to take a closer look at the drum, accidentally releasing the gas that reanimates the corpses.

As they attempt to dispose of the bodies, they soon realize that the dead are not only coming back to life but are also extremely hungry for brains. When they call the medical supply company that provided the drum, they are told that it contains a highly dangerous and experimental gas that has the ability to reanimate the dead.

Meanwhile, a group of punk rockers, including Freddy's girlfriend, arrive at the nearby cemetery to party and listen to music. When they break into the warehouse looking for medical supplies to help one of their injured friends, they unknowingly release more of the gas, causing the dead to continue to rise and wreak havoc on the small town.

As the group tries to survive the night, they come up against not only the relentless zombies but also the government officials attempting to contain the outbreak to prevent a widespread panic. The group must use their wits, as well as unconventional weapons, to fend off the flesh-eating zombies and make it through the night alive.

The Return of the Living Dead is known for its unique take on the typical zombie genre, including the notion that destroying the brain does not kill the zombies but only renders them temporarily immobile, and their desire for brains instead of just flesh. The film also has a comedic element to it with a group of punk rockers who serve as a refreshing juxtaposition to the horror elements of the film.

The film features a strong cast, including James Karen, who gives a standout performance as the neurotic and panicked Frank, and Clu Gulager, who plays the frustrated and gruff boss, Burt. The punk rockers also add to the film's unique feel, serving as both comic relief and an effective means of showcasing young and rebellious youth culture.

Overall, The Return of the Living Dead is a classic horror-comedy film that offers a fresh take on the zombie genre. With its unique twist on the undead and strong performances from its cast, the film remains a favorite of horror fans to this day.

The Return of the Living Dead is a 1985 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 66.