Them!

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Them!

1954

1h 34m

Sci-Fi

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, Sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) finds a young girl (Sandy Descher) who is unable to speak. As Peterson joins forces with FBI agent Robert Graham (James Arness) and scientist Dr. Harold Medford (Edmund Gwenn), he discovers that all the incidents are due to giant ants that have been mutated by atomic radiation. Peterson and Graham, with the aid of the military, attempt to find the queen ants and destroy the nests before the danger spreads.

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Critics Consensus

One of the best creature features of the early atomic age, Them! features effectively menacing special effects and avoids the self-parody that would taint later monster movies.

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Dorothy Masters

New York Daily News

Sep 28, 2021

3/4

There is added conviction in performance and dialogue, both of which are particularly good for a production largely designed for chilling spines.

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Philip K. Scheuer

Los Angeles Times

Sep 28, 2021

In the parking lot outside the [theater], I came upon a bustling colony of ants near a crack in the sidewalk. I gave them a wide berth. I had just seen their oversized brothers and sisters in action... and I wanted no more trouble with them.

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Leonard Lerner

Boston Globe

Sep 28, 2021

The picture has all the necessary ingredients mixed in the proper proportions to make it a top-notch thriller.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 4, 2025

3.5/4

The best of all the “giant creature” movies that flooded theaters during the 1950s.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Jul 1, 2025

4/5

Them! is a great sci-fi film, getting straight to the point of human malfeasance; a warning about leaving an open door to more enviromental damage seems bang on the money...the equivalent of James Cameron’s Aliens, a robust, full-throttle action movie...

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 25, 2022

4.5/5

The genre holds a special place in my heart, and “THEM!” was the quintessential big bug movie.

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Ollie W

@RT90619198 Jul 29, 2026

The giant ants are fun but far too rarely make an appearance. This film unexpectedly is more like a police procedural than a disaster creature feature. I found it rather dull. The special effects are impressive for the time and are rather charming. I wanted epic action and cataclysmic destruction and mayhem like a retro Starship Troopers. The film desperately needed some gore. It has its moments but its too long.

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Mickey B.

@Rocketman64 Jun 2, 2026

Top ten of sci fi movies from the 50s very well acted and written, james whitmore always delivers in anything he's done.

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Christopher H.

@BananaCramps Mar 22, 2026

Interesting influence on Alien

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Dec 6, 2025

A really old movie about radioactive mutated ants. That's why I watched it. Love the poster art. I actually paired this with Phantom of the Paradise. Makes a cool combo.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Oct 30, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in color and black and white versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mania I.

@TheMania510 Oct 15, 2025

I love me a big critter movie. This one is really good. From the 1950s and in black and white, it has some scary moments. Well acted and directed. Great popcorn movie that the entire family can watch and enjoy.

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Gordon Douglas

Director

James Whitmore

Police Sgt. Ben Peterson

Edmund Gwenn

Dr. Harold Medford

Joan Weldon

Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford

James Arness

Robert Graham

Onslow Stevens

Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien

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Synopsis

While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, Sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) finds a young girl (Sandy Descher) who is unable to speak. As Peterson joins forces with FBI agent Robert Graham (James Arness) and scientist Dr. Harold Medford (Edmund Gwenn), he discovers that all the incidents are due to giant ants that have been mutated by atomic radiation. Peterson and Graham, with the aid of the military, attempt to find the queen ants and destroy the nests before the danger spreads.

Director: Gordon Douglas
Producer: David Weisbart
Screenwriter: Russell S. Hughes, Ted Sherdeman
Distributor: Cinema Classics, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 19, 1954, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2008
Runtime: 1h 34m

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