They Live poster

They Live

You see them on the street. You watch them on TV. You might even vote for one this fall. You think they're people just like you. You're wrong. Dead wrong.

7.3(3,697)19881h 33m11

A lone drifter stumbles upon a unique pair of sunglasses that reveal aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission.

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Status
Released
Budget
$4M
Box office
$13M
Language
English
  • capitalism
  • dystopia
  • villainess
  • alien
  • social commentary
  • los angeles, california
  • alien invasion
  • biting
  • sunglasses
  • glasses
  • brawl
  • aggressive

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

United States of America

Where to watch

All options

Availability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

Still from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They LiveStill from They Live

Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • TheatricalR4 Nov 1988
    • PhysicalRVHS13 Apr 1989
    • PhysicalRDVD25 Mar 1998
  • United KingdomGB

    • Theatrical1822 Jun 1989
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalM18 May 1989
  • CanadaCA

    • Theatrical14A4 Nov 1988
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical141 Dec 1989
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Physical1 Mar 1994
  • FranceFR

    • TheatricalTP19 Apr 1989
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical184 May 1989
    • TheatricalBest of Cinema7 Oct 2025
  • GreeceGR

    • PhysicalK15DVD2 Apr 2003
  • IrelandIE

    • Theatrical1823 Jun 1989
  • ItalyIT

    • TheatricalT14 Apr 1989
  • JapanJP

    • TheatricalG28 Jan 1989
    • PhysicalLaserDisc25 Nov 1989

Frequently asked questions

They Live was released on 4 November 1988.

Audience reviews

3
  • T

    tmdb87069603

    6/5/2012

    10/10

    I have to admit up front to liking every single, John Carpenter movie. They are works of art in there unique style and quality. This is actually my favorite of all of them. There could be a criticism that this movie is didactic and sends some sort of clumsy political or philosophical message but I'd have to reply that you simply don't get it. Unlike the modern propensity for movies to try to hammer home some polit…

  • J

    John Chard

    9/26/2014

    8/10

    Life's a bitch and she's back on heat! They Live is directed by John Carpenter who also adapts the screenplay form the short story Eight O'Clock in the Morning written by Ray Nelson. It stars Roddy Piper, Keith David and Meg Foster. Music is by Alan Howarth (and Carpenter) and cinematography by Gary B. Kibbe. Unemployed drifter Nada (Piper) wanders into the city looking to find work, but upon finding a unique p…

  • N

    Nathan

    5/15/2023

    8/10

    They Live is a great movie that delivers an exceptional story with a dystopian vibe that is both thrilling and terrifying. John Carpenter's screenplay was ahead of its time in terms of its social commentary on American capitalism and the class divide. The film's story explores how a small group of people has taken control of the world by using subliminal messaging and manipulation, making it a unique sci-fi tale t…

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