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Action thriller

Firestarter (1984): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Firestarter (1984) movie poster

Firestarter is a 1984 action thriller starring Drew Barrymore. It is based on Firestarter by Stephen King. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $17.1 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the Saturn Awards 1985. Critics gave it 50 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$17.1M
award nomination
1
Metascore
50
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Firestarter (1984) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Firestarter About?

The premise of Firestarter without spoilers, adapted from Firestarter by Stephen King. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After undergoing mysterious government experiments, Andy McGee and Vicky possess newfound psychic abilities. Their daughter, Charlie, inherits and amplifies these powers, manifesting as pyrokinetic abilities that threaten to spiral out of control. Pursued by a shadowy government agency known as "The Shop," who seek to control Charlie's dangerous gift, the family is forced to flee and confront a troubled past while facing escalating suspense, action, and terrifying consequences.

Firestarter Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • pyrokinesis
  • experiment
  • fire
  • psychic
  • doctor
  • father daughter relationship
  • psionic power
  • based on novel
  • final showdown
  • nonlinear timeline
  • showdown
  • slow motion scene
+38 more
  • science runs amok
  • destruction
  • battle
  • final battle
  • little girl
  • helicopter crash
  • tranquilizer dart
  • u.s. army
  • headache
  • arson
  • lens flare
  • vietnam war veteran
  • psychotronic film
  • close up of eyes
  • lifting a female into the air
  • car
  • chevrolet
  • chevrolet motor vehicle
  • chrysler
  • chrysler motor vehicle
  • chrysler lebaron
  • dodge motor vehicle
  • child in jeopardy
  • fireplace
  • setting a fire
  • house fire
  • man on fire
  • starting a fire
  • set on fire
  • power
  • gun
  • playing a video game
  • colecovision
  • flame
  • blonde girl
  • unhappy girl
  • crying
  • couple
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Cast & crew

Firestarter Cast

Drew Barrymore stars in Firestarter.

Ratings

Firestarter Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Firestarter 50 on Metacritic.

Plot

Firestarter Plot Summary

What happens in Firestarter from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As college students, Andy McGee and Vicky Tomlinson found themselves unwitting participants in a secretive experiment involving a low-grade hallucinogen known as LOT-6. While many of the other subjects of the experiment suffered disturbing and debilitating side effects, Vicky and Andy emerged with extraordinary telepathic abilities; Vicky gained an uncanny ability to read minds, while Andy discovered he could compel others to act according to his will. Yet, this formidable power was not without its drawbacks, as it frequently resulted in debilitating nosebleeds, rendering him limited despite the potential he wielded.

Full summary

The whole story of Firestarter, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Firestarter Box Office

Firestarter grossed $17.1 million worldwide.

1984 box office

Worldwide gross

$17.1M

US & Canada
$17.1M
Awards

Firestarter Awards & Nominations

Firestarter earned 1 award nomination, including Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the Saturn Awards 1985.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Firestarter Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

Firestarter - Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Firestarter TV trailer 1984
  • Clip Charlene
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Firestarter?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was the name of the low-grade hallucinogen used in the experiment?

Cars

Cars in Firestarter

49 cars on screen, including the 1966 Chevrolet C-Series and the 1981 Chrysler LeBaron.

All 49 cars
  • 1966 Chevrolet C-Series in Firestarter 1966 Chevrolet C-Series Important role
  • 1981 Chrysler LeBaron in Firestarter 1981 Chrysler LeBaron Important role
  • 1980 Dodge Aspen in Firestarter 1980 Dodge Aspen Important role
  • Willys M38 A1 in Firestarter Willys M38 A1 Important role
Details

Firestarter Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Žhářka” and “Та, що запалює поглядом”.

Also known as
  • Žhářka
  • Та, що запалює поглядом
  • Порождающая огонь
  • A gyújtogató
  • Stephen Kings Der Feuerteufel
  • Εξουσία Πυρός
  • Charlie
  • La niña del fuego
  • Stephen King's Firestarter
  • Der Feuerteufel
  • Fenomeni paranormali incontrollabili
  • Podpalaczka
+19 more
  • Ojos de fuego
  • Воспламеняющая взглядом
  • Tűzgyújtó
  • יורקת האש
  • O Poder do Fogo
  • Ohnivé oči
  • Chamas da Vingança
  • Та, що породжує вогонь
  • Tepki
  • Eldfödd
  • Подпалвачката
  • 초능력 소녀의 분노
  • Llamas de venganza
  • 凶火
  • Tulessa syntynyt
  • 炎の少女チャーリー
  • Podpaľačka
  • Ulls de Foc
  • Pornitorul de foc

Seen Firestarter?

FAQ

Firestarter FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of Firestarter, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Firestarter?

Firestarter runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).

When was Firestarter released?

Firestarter was released on May 11, 1984.

Who is in the cast of Firestarter?

Firestarter stars Drew Barrymore.

How much did Firestarter make at the box office?

Firestarter grossed $17.1 million worldwide.

How is Firestarter rated?

Firestarter has 50 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Is Firestarter based on a book?

Yes. Firestarter is adapted from Firestarter by Stephen King.

Was Firestarter nominated for any awards?

Firestarter received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Firestarter have a post-credit scene?

No. Firestarter has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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