Red Dawn (1984): cast, story & where to watch
1984 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1984, Red Dawn is an action, thriller, drama and war film directed by John Milius, running about 114 minutes. “In our time, no foreign army has ever occupied American soil. Until now.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. Red Dawn stars Patrick Swayze as Jed, Charlie Sheen as Matt, C. Thomas Howell as Robert and Lea Thompson as Erica, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Red Dawn has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $38.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Red Dawn page.
If you liked it. Fans of Red Dawn tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Red Dawn (1984)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Red Dawn change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Red Dawn worth watching?
- Red Dawn holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, thriller, drama and war. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Red Dawn?
- Red Dawn stars Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson and Darren Dalton.
- When was Red Dawn released?
- Red Dawn was released in 1984, with a runtime of about 114 minutes.