The Day After
Seen it?1983 | 127 min | Science Fiction, Drama, TV Movie
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved War for the Planet of the Apes or Moon, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Harrowing.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In the mid-1980s, the U.S. is poised on the brink of nuclear war. This shadow looms over the residents of a small town in Kansas as they continue their daily lives. Dr. Russell Oakes maintains his busy schedule at the hospital, Denise Dahlberg prepares for her upcoming wedding, and Stephen Klein is deep in his graduate studies. When the unthinkable happens and the bombs come down, the town's residents are thrust into the horrors of nuclear winter.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 315K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
War for the Planet of the Apes
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic drama.
The Andromeda Strain
Sunday Safe BetAnother disaster sci-fi film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Volcano
Weeknight WatchAnother disaster sci-fi film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Colossal Sunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Moon Saturday SpecialAnother sci-fi film, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Nicholas Meyer
- Jason RobardsDr. Russell Oakes
- JoBeth WilliamsNurse Nancy Bauer
- Steve GuttenbergStephen Klein
- John CullumJim Dahlberg
- John LithgowJoe Huxley
- Bibi BeschEve Dahlberg
- Lori LethinDenise Dahlberg
- Amy MadiganAlison Ransom
- Jeff EastBruce Gallatin
- Georgann JohnsonHelen Oakes