🎞 MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb › Best of › 1984 › Red Dawn

Red Dawn poster

Red Dawn (1984)

“In our time, no foreign army has ever occupied American soil. Until now.”

6.3/10 · 926 votes 1h 54m pg-13 ActionThrillerDramaScience-fictionWar

#39 of 49 films from 1984 #1380 of 2168 in action

Directed by John Milius · Written by John Milius, Kevin Reynolds

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town—and their country—from invading Soviet forces.

Cast

Patrick Swayzeas Jed
Charlie Sheenas Matt
C. Thomas Howellas Robert
Lea Thompsonas Erica
Darren Daltonas Daryl
Jennifer Greyas Toni
Powers Bootheas Andy
Brad Savageas Danny
Ben Johnsonas Mason
Harry Dean Stantonas Mr. Eckert
William Smithas Strelnikov
Ron O'Nealas Bella
Vladek Sheybalas Bratchenko
Frank McRaeas Mr. Teasdale

Facts

Release dateAugust 10, 1984
Runtime114 min (1h 54m) — about the same as the 1984 average of 109 min
GenresAction, Thriller, Drama, Science-fiction, War
LanguageEN
Budget$17,000,000
Box office$38,400,000 (2.3× budget)
IMDbtt0087985

More from John Milius

Conan the BarbarianConan the Barbarian1982 · ★ 6.8 · 2h 10m

If you liked Red Dawn

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

First BloodFirst Blood1982 · ★ 7.5 · 1h 33m Capricorn OneCapricorn One1977 · ★ 6.8 · 2h 3m Terminator 2: Judgment DayTerminator 2: Judgment Day1991 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 17m AliensAliens1986 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 17m Blade RunnerBlade Runner1982 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 58m KagemushaKagemusha1980 · ★ 7.8 · 3h 0m The TerminatorThe Terminator1984 · ★ 7.7 · 1h 48m PlatoonPlatoon1986 · ★ 7.7 · 2h 0m

Questions

How long is Red Dawn?
Red Dawn runs 114 minutes (1h 54m).
Is Red Dawn worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6.3/10 across 926 votes, which places it #39 of 49 films released in 1984 in this index (top 22%) and #1380 among 2168 action titles.
Who directed Red Dawn?
Red Dawn was directed by John Milius. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Conan the Barbarian (1982).
Who stars in Red Dawn?
Patrick Swayze as Jed; Charlie Sheen as Matt; C. Thomas Howell as Robert; Lea Thompson as Erica; Darren Dalton as Daryl; Jennifer Grey as Toni.
What is Red Dawn rated?
It carries a pg-13 certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Red Dawn?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/9623.

Browse

Best of 1984Best actionAction of the 1980sBest thrillerThriller of the 1980sBest dramaDrama of the 1980sBest science-fictionScience-fiction of the 1980sBest warWar of the 1980sAll lists
MTDb·Best films by year, genre and runtime·A century in numbers·Browse and watch trailers

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.