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Blue Thunder

1983·Movie
1h 50min·R
IMDb6.4Metacritic667.3Rotten Tomatoes79%54%

Where to watch

NetflixThe RokuTubi TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Blue Thunder fingerprint

High energy, striking style, light on feelings.

Energy

Pulse-pounding and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Adrenaline9
  • Fast Pace8
  • Spectacle8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Hopefulness5
  • Nostalgia5
  • Pathos4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Everyday modern life, crime, and technology

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Direction7
  • Acting7
  • Intrigue7

Style

Standout sound design

  • Sound Centrality8
  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Gritty movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

He's out there…

Los Angeles, California. Officer Murphy, a veteran Metropolitan Police helicopter pilot suffering from severe trauma due to his harsh experiences during the Vietnam War, and Lymangood, his resourceful new partner, are tasked with testing an advanced and heavily armed experimental chopper known as Blue Thunder.
Action ThrillerTechnological WarfarePsychological TraumaLaw EnforcementAerial CombatPolitical Intrigue80s CinemaCynical Tone

Crew

Directed by:
John Badham, James W. Gavin, Terry Leonard
Written by:
Dan O'Bannon, Don Jakoby
Produced by:
Dianne Crittenden, Gregg Champion, John G. Wilson
Composed by:
William L. Manger, Arthur B. Rubinstein, Larry Stensvold

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Blue Thunder

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Blue Thunder legally?

NetflixThe RokuTubi TV

Blue Thunder is included with a subscription to Netflix in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Blue Thunder worth watching?

67
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes 79%, and Metacritic 66). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Blue Thunder rated?

RViolenceStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is Blue Thunder?

1 h 50 min

Blue Thunder runs 1 h 50 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Blue Thunder?

Critics73
Audiences64

Not quite. Critics rate Blue Thunder higher (73) than audiences (64). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Blue Thunder a box office hit?

Budget$22 million
Box office$42 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $22 million to make and earned $42 million worldwide, 1.9 times its budget.

What language is Blue Thunder in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Blue Thunder?

72AEARATAUBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCO+58

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Blue Thunder in 72 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Blue Thunder use?

Karma HoudiniShoo Out the ClownsTitle-Only OpeningCan't Stop the SignalChekhov's SkillShell-Shocked VeteranWronski FeintSurprise VehicleThis Cannot Be!Chekhov's GunHot PursuitHeroic BSoDand 63 more

TV Tropes lists 75 storytelling tropes for Blue Thunder, including Karma Houdini, Shoo Out the Clowns, Title-Only Opening.