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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Them!

Them! is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction horror film directed by Gordon Douglas.

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

Them! is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction horror film directed by Gordon Douglas. It follows the discovery of giant ants mutated by nuclear radiation in New Mexico and their threat to the United States. The film is widely regarded as an early and influential example of the 1950s atomic-age monster movie.

Plot

The story begins when authorities discover evidence of unusual attacks in the New Mexico desert. Investigators learn that giant ants, altered by radiation from atomic testing, are responsible and must be stopped before they spread further.

Production

Them! was directed by Gordon Douglas and developed from an original story by George Worthing Yates, with screenplay contributions from Ted Sherdeman and Russell Hughes. It was produced in black and white by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Reception and influence

The film became a notable commercial and critical success and was one of Warner Bros.' strongest releases of 1954. It helped establish the atomic-age giant-monster formula that influenced later creature features.

Legacy

Them! is often cited as a landmark in 1950s science fiction cinema and a template for later “big bug” films. Its combination of Cold War anxiety and monster spectacle made it culturally influential.

Key facts

  • The film centers on giant ants created by nuclear radiation.
  • Its setting begins in the New Mexico desert and later moves to Los Angeles.
  • It is considered one of the first major “nuclear monster” films and an influential “big bug” movie.
  • The film starred James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon, and James Arness.
  • It was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in 1954.
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Canadian context

The film was a commercial success in North America and is often discussed in Canadian film and television retrospectives on classic science fiction and horror cinema.[8][9]

Frequently asked questions

What is Them! about?
It is about giant ants mutated by nuclear radiation that threaten New Mexico and later Los Angeles.
Who directed Them!?
Them! was directed by Gordon Douglas.
When was Them! released?
It was released in the United States on June 19, 1954.
Who starred in Them!?
The main cast included James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon, and James Arness.
Why is Them! historically important?
It is considered one of the earliest and most influential atomic-age monster films, especially in the “giant bug” subgenre.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Them!
    Supports: Basic film identification, plot premise, creative credits, and genre classification.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047573/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, country, language, and awards summary.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1021186-them
    Supports: Director, release date, runtime, and genre.
  4. Facts.net — https://facts.net/movie/47-facts-about-the-movie-them/
    Supports: 1954 release, giant ants mutated by radiation, Warner Bros. release, and influence on creature features.
  5. We Belong Dead — https://webelongdead.co.uk/them-1954/
    Supports: Commercial performance in the U.S. and Canada and its status as a giant bug film.