Strange Invaders (1983): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Strange Invaders is a 1983 mystery horror film directed by Michael Laughlin, starring Paul Le Mat as Charles Bigelow, June Lockhart and Diana Scarwid. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Michael Laughlin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Lone Wolf McQuade Associates
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Strange Invaders About?
The premise of Strange Invaders without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Twenty‑five years after an extraterrestrial ship touched down in a quiet Midwestern town, the alien visitors remain hidden among the townsfolk. When a young professor discovers that his daughter has been captured by the beings, he launches a desperate rescue, confronting the mysterious settlers and revealing the truth about their long‑term presence.
Strange Invaders Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- alien invasion sci fi
- alien invasion
- town with a dark secret
- daughter
- disguise
- pinball machine
- train
- amtrak
- greyhound bus
- video game arcade
- alien
- tabloid
+38 more Show fewer
- professor
- invasion
- conspiracy
- suspense
- green gore
- melting face
- missing dog
- violence
- human alien hybrid
- alien wife
- rescue attempt
- diner
- alien scientist
- government agent
- fake out death scene
- father daughter relationship
- mothership
- telekinesis
- alien pretending to be human
- secret
- small town
- happy ending
- asylum
- female journalist
- consciousness
- aura
- murder
- shot in the gut
- love interest
- little daughter
- dead family
- missing wife
- alien conspiracy
- government conspiracy
- murder of a child
- outer space
- brooklyn bridge
- alien abduction
Strange Invaders Cast & Characters
Paul Le Mat leads the cast as Charles Bigelow, with June Lockhart as Mrs. Bigelow and Diana Scarwid as Margaret Bigelow. Directed by Michael Laughlin; 23 actors are credited in all.
- Director Michael Laughlin
-
Paul Le Mat as Charles Bigelow - June Lockhart as Mrs. Bigelow
-
Diana Scarwid as Margaret Bigelow -
Nancy Allen as Betty Walker
Also Starring in Strange Invaders
· 19 more- Lulu Sylbert Elizabeth Bigelow
- Wallace Shawn Earl
- Michael Lerner Willie Collins
- Louise Fletcher Mrs. Benjamin
- Dan Shor Teen Boy in Prologue
- Charles Lane Prof. Hollister
- Thomas Kopache State Trooper
- Bill Condon
- Kenneth Tobey Arthur Newman
- Dey Young Teen Girl in Prologue
- Jack Kehler Gas Station Attendant
- Fiona Lewis Waitress / Avon Lady
- Bobby Pickett Editor
- Mark Goddard Detective
- Joel Cohen Tim
- Connie Kellers Connie
Show all 23 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Jonathan Ulmer Room Service Waiter
- Patti Medwid Room Service Waitress
- Edwina Follows Nurse
More from Michael Laughlin
More films directed by Michael Laughlin: Mesmerized and Strange Behavior.
Strange Invaders Plot Summary
What happens in Strange Invaders from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1958, the quiet town of Centreville, Illinois is suddenly invaded by extraterrestrial aliens. The invaders unleash beams of energy from their hands and eyes, turning the town’s inhabitants into crystallized, pulsating blue orbs. Using counterfeit skin and hair, they assume the identities of their victims and cover up the invasion from within the community.
Twenty-five years later, Charles Bigelow, a Columbia University lecturer, travels to Centreville after learning that his ex-wife, Margaret Bigelow, has vanished while attending her mother’s funeral. He discovers that the town has been kept exactly as it was in 1958 by the aliens, a ruse that arouses his suspicion and prompts the invaders to attempt capturing him when he resists their explanation. He escapes, but the aliens snatch his dog Louie.
Full summary
The whole story of Strange Invaders, scene by scene
Strange Invaders Box Office
Strange Invaders grossed $1.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.4M
- US & Canada
- $1.4M
How Well Do You Know Strange Invaders?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year were the townspeople of Centreville first invaded by aliens?
Cars in Strange Invaders
22 cars on screen, including the 1976 AMC Matador and the 1974 Checker Taxicab.
-
1976 AMC Matador Important role -
1974 Checker Taxicab Important role -
1958 Dodge Royal Important role -
1975 Ford Custom 500 Ranch Wagon Important role
Strange Invaders Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “外星人” and “Les envahisseurs sont parmi nous”.
- Also known as
-
- 外星人
- Les envahisseurs sont parmi nous
- Das Geheimnis von Centreville
- Extraños invasores
- Estranhos Invasores
- Странные захватчики
- UFO - tajemní návštěvníci
- 要地球倒转
- Nepoznati osvajači
Seen Strange Invaders?
Movies Like Strange Invaders
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Invaders from Mars, The Strange World of Planet X and Invisible Invaders.
Strange Invaders FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Strange Invaders, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Strange Invaders?
Strange Invaders runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Strange Invaders released?
Strange Invaders was released on September 16, 1983.
Who directed Strange Invaders?
Strange Invaders was directed by Michael Laughlin.
More films by Michael Laughlin Who is in the cast of Strange Invaders?
Strange Invaders stars Paul Le Mat as Charles Bigelow, June Lockhart as Mrs. Bigelow and Diana Scarwid as Margaret Bigelow, among 23 credited actors.
How much did Strange Invaders make at the box office?
Strange Invaders grossed $1.4 million worldwide.
Does Strange Invaders have a post-credit scene?
No. Strange Invaders has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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