The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›The Mist (film)
Entertainment • Film

The Mist (film)

The Mist is a 2007 American science fiction psychological horror film written, directed, and produced by Frank Darabont.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Mist is a 2007 American science fiction psychological horror film written, directed, and produced by Frank Darabont. Based on Stephen King’s 1980 novella, it follows townspeople trapped in a supermarket in Bridgton, Maine after a mysterious mist conceals deadly creatures. The film stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher, and Toby Jones.

Plot

After a violent storm, a strange mist envelops a small Maine town, trapping a group of people inside a supermarket. As they attempt to survive, they discover the mist hides lethal creatures and tensions among the survivors escalate.

Production

The film was adapted from Stephen King’s novella and was written and directed by Frank Darabont.

Release and reception

The film opened in U.S. theatres on November 21, 2007 and runs 126 minutes. Source listings also identify it as an R-rated horror, science-fiction, and thriller film.

Themes

Beyond its monster elements, the film is commonly described as exploring how ordinary people behave under extreme pressure. Its conflict includes both external threats and human panic inside the store.

Key facts

  • The film stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher, and Toby Jones.
  • The story is set in Bridgton, Maine, where a supermarket becomes a refuge during a deadly mist event.
  • The mist conceals dangerous creatures, and the film emphasizes fear, paranoia, and group conflict.
  • The film was released in the United States on November 21, 2007.
  • It received an R rating and has a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes.
🍁
Canadian context

The Mist is widely available in Canada through home video and streaming platforms over time, and it is part of the broader English-language horror canon familiar to Canadian audiences. No Canada-specific production or setting connection is identified in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Mist about?
It is about people trapped in a supermarket after a mysterious mist envelops their Maine town and reveals deadly creatures.
Who directed The Mist?
Frank Darabont directed the film.
What is The Mist based on?
It is based on Stephen King’s 1980 novella of the same name.
When was The Mist released?
It was released in the United States on November 21, 2007.
What genre is The Mist?
It is generally classified as science fiction, psychological horror, and thriller.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mist_(film)
    Supports: Year, genre, director, cast, plot, and basis on Stephen King novella
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mist
    Supports: Runtime, release date, rating, genre
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884328/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and premise
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884328/
    Supports: Release date and basic film listing