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Horror Cult Classic

A ravenous alien slime crashes into small-town California and begins consuming everything—and everyone—in its path.

THE BLOB

Scream now, while there's still room to breathe. Terror has no shape.

1988 · 1h 35m · R · Horror / Science Fiction / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

A deadly entity from space crashes near a small town and begins consuming everyone in its path. Panic ensues as shady government scientists try to contain the horrific creature.

Quick Answer

What is The Blob about?

The Blob is a 1988 United States horror, science fiction, and thriller film directed by Chuck Russell about a deadly alien organism that crashes near a small town and begins devouring the population.

Programmer's Pick

The 1988 Blob isn't just a remake—it’s a gory, slime-soaked, body-horror spectacle that takes its time gleefully dissolving any notion of safety. Chuck Russell directs with a wicked sense for squishy practical effects and sly small-town satire. Survival here means keeping your wits and your freezer close.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

A military satellite plummets to Earth near the small town of Arborville, California, bringing with it a dangerous slime mold-like substance. When an elderly transient comes in contact with the strange goo, three high school students—Brian, Meg, and Paul—take him to the hospital, only to witness the horrifying effects as the organism consumes its victims. As the entity grows, it oozes through the hospital, picking off residents and spreading rapidly. With the local authorities struggling to comprehend the terror, and government scientists arriving with unclear motives, the townspeople find themselves in the grip of panic as the true nature of the threat becomes apparent. "The Blob" blends body horror with small-town paranoia and 1980s creature-feature energy.

Details & Specs

Director
Chuck Russell
Writers
Chuck Russell, Frank Darabont
Release
1988
Runtime
1h 35m
Country
United States of America
Language
English, Italian
Also Known As
Il fluido che uccide, La Mancha Voraz, The Blob 1, The Blob: El terror no tiene forma, The Blob - Schrecken ohne Namen

Why This Matters

This 1988 remake, co-written by Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont, is notable for earning a cult following and critical praise for surpassing the original film, despite its initial box office failure.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Chuck Russell Writers: Chuck Russell +1 more

Explore More

Why Cult

Oozing Practical Effects

The Blob’s victims melt, dissolve, and are devoured in creatively grotesque displays of late-'80s practical effects wizardry.

Body Horror Chaos

From melting flesh to rampant devouring, this film makes the most of its body horror roots, offering a visceral, unforgettable monster rampage.

Government Gone Wrong

Shady scientists and military containment attempts add a layer of paranoid Cold War commentary to the alien carnage.

Teen Rebels vs. Blob

High schoolers Brian, Meg, and Paul get thrust into the frontline against an unstoppable space menace, making for a youthful, energetic survival story.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Military satellite crash releases alien organism

Threat

Ravenous alien slime (the Blob)

Effect

Consumes and dissolves people, rapidly grows

Countermeasure

Government attempts containment; local resistance

Setting

Small California town (Arborville)

Questions from the Vault

When was The Blob released? +

The Blob was released in 1988.

Who directed The Blob? +

The Blob was directed by Chuck Russell.

How long is The Blob? +

The Blob has a runtime of 95 minutes.

What genre is The Blob? +

The Blob is a horror, science fiction, and thriller film.

Where can I watch The Blob? +

You can watch The Blob on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips