Where Was The Thing 1982 Filmed

So, you're curious about where "The Thing" was filmed, huh? Let's grab a coffee and dive into this icy mystery.

Antarctica, Duh!

Alright, let's start with the obvious. "The Thing" is set in Antarctica, so you'd think they'd just... I don't know, go there, right? Wrong! It was the 80s, folks. No Netflix and chill in the frozen wasteland back then.

But wait, didn't they use some actual Antarctic footage? You betcha! The crew spent a cool (pun intended) $250,000 on a trip to Antarctica just to shoot some exterior scenes and, you know, get that authentic icy vibe.

Universal Studios, Here We Go!

Now, where did they actually film the movie? Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, that's where! I know, I know, it's a bit of a letdown. I mean, who wants to be in LA when you could be freezing your toes off in Antarctica?

But hey, at least they had some pretty impressive sets. The crew built a full-scale Norwegian research station and a couple of American ones, all in the cozy confines of a soundstage. Talk about a winter wonderland!

John Carpenter's The Thing 1982

And the Rest...

Most of the indoor scenes were shot on soundstages at Universal Studios. You know, the usual suspects: the blood tests room, the dining area where the tension builds (and builds, and builds...), and the dog kennel where all hell breaks loose.

Oh, and fun fact! The exterior shots of the Norwegian camp were actually filmed at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park in California. You might recognize it from other movies like "Star Trek" or "Planet of the Apes". Multi-purpose locations, am I right?

Picture of The Thing (1982)

But Why, Though?

You might be wondering why they didn't just film the whole thing in Antarctica. Well, aside from the obvious reasons (like, you know, surviving the harsh conditions), it was also a matter of control.

In a soundstage, they could control the environment, the lighting, the temperature (well, maybe not the temperature, but you get the idea). Plus, they could work on their own schedule, without worrying about polar bears crashing the party.

So there you have it, folks! The scoop on where "The Thing" was filmed. Next time you're watching the movie, see if you can spot any of the LA landmarks. I dare you.