“Red Dawn” is now streaming on Prime Video following the success of free streaming on Tubi

Considered one of the defining, if now rather jaded, action-drama films of 1984 Red Dawn is now ready to find a new audience after landing on Prime Video on December 1st. Directed by John Milius, the film features an all-star cast of the decade including Patrick SwayzeCharlie Sheen and Jennifer Grey.

Red Dawn takes place in an alternate reality in which World War III breaks out across the world and the United States is attacked by a coalition. In this dangerous world, a group of teenagers forms a resistance group called the Wolverines. Armed with nothing more than the will to survive and their basic hunting skills, they fight to save their homeland, facing the harsh truths of war, friendship and sacrifice along the way. Capturing the fear of war is never a joyful affair, and Red Dawn didn’t exactly make it, according to many critics. However, the film was a minor financial success and became a memorable film in a year full of cult films.

The film was notably the first PG-13 film released in the United States following changes in film classifications, meaning the film was marketed to both adults and teenagers. Even though the subject matter isn’t exactly what would make a good family outing, the film’s box office total of $38 million was solid over time Red Dawn has fallen squarely into the category of a guilty pleasure for many.

Red Dawn received the remake treatment over a decade ago

Critical reviews from Red Dawn may have been mixed, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t found and maintained an audience over the decades. Although the film failed to gain critical acclaim due to its “totally unbelievable” plot and “cynically provocative” storytelling, audiences have been happier with the film even in recent re-evaluations, currently holding a score of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes.

But as with any film from decades past, there is always someone who wants to remake, rehash or reshape the story for a new generation. It seems that if the original Red Dawn was destined to become a guilty pleasure, The 2012 remake starring Chris Hemsworth, which revised the story to include a North Korean invasion and a group of teenagers led by an Iraq War veteran, was always headed for the scrapheap of forgotten, unnecessary remakes.

Related

Patrick Swayze’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Patrick Swayze’s famous film quote “Nobody puts baby in a corner” comes from his groundbreaking film Dirty Dancing.

The legacy of the original Red Dawn is one that, like many films of the decade, has endured over the years and has influenced many other films about youthful rebellion and resistance. The film’s release on Prime Video will give those who remember it the first time a chance to revisit the story, at a time when war seems to be omnipresent. Perhaps even a film that cannot be taken quite as seriously as others on this topic and whose historical relevance has changed over the decades can make a difference from today’s perspective. You can check out some of the most memorable scenes below, courtesy of Amazon MGM.