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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1983 โ€บ Blue Thunder

Blue Thunder poster

Blue Thunder (1983)

โ€œHe's out thereโ€ฆโ€

6.3/10 ยท 587 votes 1h 50m r ActionThrillerDrama

#32 of 39 films from 1983 #1374 of 2168 in action

Directed by John Badham ยท Written by Dan O'Bannon, Don Jakoby

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Los Angeles, California. Officer Murphy, a veteran Metropolitan Police helicopter pilot suffering from severe trauma due to his harsh experiences during the Vietnam War, and Lymangood, his resourceful new partner, are tasked with testing an advanced and heavily armed experimental chopper known as Blue Thunder.

Cast

Roy Scheideras Murphy
Warren Oatesas Braddock
Candy Clarkas Kate
Daniel Sternas Lymangood
Paul Roeblingas Icelan
David Sheineras Fletcher
Joe Santosas Montoya
Malcolm McDowellas Cochrane
Ed Bernardas Sgt. Short
Jason Bernardas Mayor
Mario Machadoas Self - Broadcaster
James Murtaughas Alf Hewitt
Pat McNamaraas Matusek
Jack Murdockas Kress

Facts

Release dateFebruary 5, 1983
Runtime110 min (1h 50m) โ€” about the same as the 1983 average of 105 min
GenresAction, Thriller, Drama
LanguageEN
Budget$22,000,000
Box office$42,313,354 (1.9ร— budget)
IMDbtt0085255

More from John Badham

WarGamesWarGames1983 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 1h 54m Saturday Night FeverSaturday Night Fever1977 ยท โ˜… 6.7 ยท 1h 58m Short CircuitShort Circuit1986 ยท โ˜… 6.7 ยท 1h 38m Bird on a WireBird on a Wire1990 ยท โ˜… 6.2 ยท 1h 50m Nick of TimeNick of Time1995 ยท โ˜… 6.2 ยท 1h 29m Point of No ReturnPoint of No Return1993 ยท โ˜… 6.2 ยท 1h 48m

If you liked Blue Thunder

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

The KillerThe Killer1989 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 1h 50m First BloodFirst Blood1982 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 33m SorcererSorcerer1977 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 2h 2m ThiefThief1981 ยท โ˜… 7.2 ยท 2h 3m BloodsportBloodsport1988 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 1h 32m Runaway TrainRunaway Train1985 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 1h 51m Lock UpLock Up1989 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 49m Capricorn OneCapricorn One1977 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 2h 3m

Questions

How long is Blue Thunder?
Blue Thunder runs 110 minutes (1h 50m).
Is Blue Thunder worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6.3/10 across 587 votes, which places it #32 of 39 films released in 1983 in this index (top 21%) and #1374 among 2168 action titles.
Who directed Blue Thunder?
Blue Thunder was directed by John Badham. Other well-rated titles by the same director: WarGames (1983), Saturday Night Fever (1977), Short Circuit (1986).
Who stars in Blue Thunder?
Roy Scheider as Murphy; Warren Oates as Braddock; Candy Clark as Kate; Daniel Stern as Lymangood; Paul Roebling as Icelan; David Sheiner as Fletcher.
What is Blue Thunder rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Blue Thunder?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/8625.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.