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Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Play trailer Poster for Invasion of the Body Snatchers PG 1978 1h 55m Sci-Fi Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 76 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
This remake of the classic horror film is set in San Francisco. Matthew Bennell assumes that when a friend complains of her husband's strange mood, it's a marital issue. However, he begins to worry as more people report similar observations. His concern is confirmed when writer Jack Bellicec and his wife discover a mutated corpse. Besieged by an invisible enemy, Bennell must work quickly before the city is consumed.
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

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Critics Consensus

Employing gritty camerawork and evocative sound effects, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a powerful remake that expands upon themes and ideas only lightly explored in the original.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies 02/19/2024
Kaufman’s invasion tracks the encroachment of consumerist conformity upon the liberated individualism of 60s Frisco – and would acquire new, unintended resonance when its theatrical release was immediately preceded by the collective madness of Jonestown. Go to Full Review
Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/12/2023
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is more sheer fun than any movie I’ve seen since Carrie and Jaws and maybe parts of The Spy Who Loved Me. Go to Full Review
Adam Nayman The Ringer 10/02/2018
A decade after the Summer of Love, Invasion of the Body Snatchers essentially weaponized flower power, hinting that the erosion of individual consciousness in favor of groupthink was as natural and ingrained as photosynthesis itself. Go to Full Review
Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 10
The reason it's so effective is that throughout "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" the horror is a deeply felt, brilliantly imagined and visualized horror, not just a matter of special effects. Go to Full Review
George Anderson Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 07/08/2025
B+
A relentless pessimism pervades the action, and it is chillingly absorbing. Go to Full Review
Scott Collura IGN Movies 04/04/2025
What can I say? A world where people forsake their feelings, their beliefs, their thoughts, to join with a collective community where they don’t have to truly feel, or believe, or think about anything, but just blindly follow the herd? It’s too easy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Romas M @Romas 4h Greetings from Lithuania. I've enjoyed "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) those few times that I have seen it through years. I've revisited it in 2026 on 4K UHD by Arrow Videos, and liked this movie again. This film has very moody atmosphere and acting is great. The late great Donald Sutherland is superb in here as well as Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy and Veronica Cartwright (who is basically the same as she was in "Alien"). Directing by Philip Kaufman is amazing - this film looks and feels real, and that what makes it even more creepy. I liked the bleak ending very much. Overall, at 1h 53 min this movie never drags and is involving from start to finish. I liked the cinematography in this movie very much as well as it gives the feeling of uncertainty. Great movie. See more Robert P @Superbad 9h Invasion of the Body Snatchers = a 4 star movie! See more Dan J @RT26293014 3d Ok, probably better when first released. See more B P @Bradster69 4d Definitely Recommend It See more Joaquin U @Joaquin1 Aug 1 Very entertaining. A must‑watch for horror fans. Good cast, led by a convincing Sutherland. Tight script and excellent direction. You can take it as a notable thriller B‑movie, or dig deeper into the Buddha’s truth—that the origin of suffering is craving and selfish desire. Still, being forced into the collective sucks, since everyone ends up working 9 to 5 without pay. Either way, you’ll likely enjoy this film. See more J H @UpstateNYThriller Jul 31 8.9/10 Thriller, Alien, Late 1970s Good movie about a plant born Alien virus that makes people appear off. Slowly takes over the city of San Francisco. Isolating Erie, horror. See more Read all reviews
Invasion of the Body Snatchers

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Movie Info

Synopsis This remake of the classic horror film is set in San Francisco. Matthew Bennell assumes that when a friend complains of her husband's strange mood, it's a marital issue. However, he begins to worry as more people report similar observations. His concern is confirmed when writer Jack Bellicec and his wife discover a mutated corpse. Besieged by an invisible enemy, Bennell must work quickly before the city is consumed.
Director
Philip Kaufman
Producer
Robert H. Solo
Screenwriter
Jack Finney, W.D. Richter
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Solofilm
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 27, 2017
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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