Editing The Thing (1982 film) (section)

==Post-release==
===Performance analysis and aftermath===
In a 1999 interview, Carpenter said audiences rejected ''The Thing'' for its nihilistic, depressing viewpoint at a time when the United States was in the midst of [[Early 1980s recession|a recession]].{{sfn|Bauer|1999}} When it opened, it was competing against the critically and commercially successful ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' ($619{{spaces}}million), a family-friendly film released two weeks earlier that offered a more optimistic view of alien visitation.{{sfn|Kirk|2011}}{{sfn|Bacle|2014}}{{sfn|Nashawaty|2020}}  Carpenter described it as the complete opposite of his film.{{sfn|Beresford|2017}} ''The Thing'' opened on the same day as the [[science fiction film]] ''[[Blade Runner]]'', which debuted as the number two film that weekend with a take of $6.1{{spaces}}million and went on to earn $33.8{{spaces}}million.{{sfn|Box Office Mojo|1982}}{{sfn|BomBladeRunner|2018}} It was also regarded as a critical and commercial failure at the time.{{sfn|Lambie|2018a}} Others blamed an oversaturation of science fiction and fantasy films released that year, including ''[[Conan the Barbarian (1982 film)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' ($130{{spaces}}million), ''Poltergeist'' ($121.7{{spaces}}million), ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' ($97{{spaces}}million), ''[[Mad Max 2]]'' ($34.5{{spaces}}million), and ''[[Tron]]'' ($33{{spaces}}million). Some analysts blamed Universal's poor marketing, which did not compete with the deluge of promotion for prominent films released that summer.{{sfn|Lambie|2018a}}{{sfn|Nashawaty|2020}}{{sfn|WeissB|2022}} Another factor was the [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system|R rating]] it was given, restricting the audience to those over the age of 17 unless accompanied by an adult. In contrast, ''Poltergeist'', another horror film, received a PG rating, allowing families and younger children to view it.{{sfn|Lambie|2018a}}

The impact on Carpenter was immediate{{snd}}he lost the job of directing the 1984 science fiction horror film ''[[Firestarter (1984 film)|Firestarter]]'' because of ''The Thing''{{'}}s poor performance.{{sfn|Leitch |Grierson |2017}} His previous success had gained him a multiple-film contract at Universal, but the studio opted to buy him out of it instead.{{sfn|Paul|2017}} He continued making films afterward but lost confidence, and did not openly talk about ''The Thing''{{'}}s failure until a 1985 interview with ''Starlog'', where he said, "I was called 'a pornographer of violence'{{spaces}}... I had no idea it would be received that way{{spaces}}... ''The Thing'' was just too strong for that time. I knew it was going to be strong, but I didn't think it would be too strong{{spaces}}... I didn't take the public's taste into consideration."{{sfn|Lambie|2018a}} Shortly after its release, Wilbur Stark sued Universal for $43{{spaces}}million for "slander, breach of contract, fraud and deceit", alleging he incurred a financial loss by Universal failing to credit him properly in its marketing and by showing his name during the end credits, a less prestigious position.{{sfn|Manna|1982|p=22}} Stark also said that he "contributed greatly to the [screenplay]".{{sfn|Foster|1982b|p=83}} David Foster responded that Stark was not involved with the film's production in any way, and received proper credit in all materials.{{sfn|Foster|1982b|p=87}} Stark later sued for a further $15{{spaces}}million over Foster's comments. The outcome of the lawsuits is unknown.{{sfn|LATMay83|1983|p=38}}

===Home media===
While ''The Thing'' was not initially successful, it was able to find new audiences and appreciation on [[home video]], and later on television.{{sfn|Lambie|2017b}} Sidney Sheinberg edited a version of the film for network television broadcast, which added narration and a different ending, where the Thing imitates a dog and escapes the ruined camp. Carpenter disowned this version, and theorized that Sheinberg had been mad at him for not taking his creative ideas on board for the theatrical cut.{{sfn|Deadline|2014}}{{sfn|Schedeen |2017}}{{sfn|Anderson|2008}}

''The Thing'' was released on DVD in 1998 and featured additional content, such as ''The Thing: Terror Takes Shape''{{snd}}a detailed documentary on the production, deleted and alternate scenes, and commentary by Carpenter and Russell.{{sfn|MediaDVDAmazon|2018}}{{sfn|Henderson|2004}} An [[HD DVD]] version followed in 2006 containing the same features,{{sfn|MediaAmazonHD06|2018}}{{sfn|MediaAllMov|2018}} and a [[Blu-ray]] version in 2008 featuring just the Carpenter and Russell commentary, and some behind-the-scenes videos available via [[picture-in-picture]] during the film.{{sfn|MediaIGN08|2008a}}{{sfn|Liebman|2008}} A 2016 Blu-ray release featured a [[2K resolution]] restoration of the film, overseen by Dean Cundey. As well as including previous features such as the commentary and ''Terror Takes Shape'', it added interviews with the cast and crew, and segments that focus on the music, writing, editing, Ploog's artwork, an interview with [[Alan Dean Foster]], who wrote the film's [[novelization]], and the television broadcast version of ''The Thing'' that runs fifteen minutes shorter than the theatrical cut.{{sfn|Hunter|2016}} A [[4K resolution]] restoration was released in 2017 on Blu-ray, initially as a United Kingdom exclusive with a limited run of eight thousand units. The restoration was created using the original [[film negative]], and was overseen by Carpenter and Cundey.{{sfn|Spry|2017a}} A 4K{{spaces}}[[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra HD]] Blu-ray was released in September 2021.{{sfn|Squires|2021}}

MCA released the soundtrack for ''The Thing'' in 1982.{{sfn|Hammond|2014}} [[Varèse Sarabande]] re-released it in 1991 on compact disc and [[Compact Cassette]].{{sfn|Music1991A|2018}} In 2011, Howarth and Larry Hopkins restored Morricone's score using updated digital techniques and arranged each track in the order it appears in the film. The album also includes tracks composed by Carpenter and Howarth for the film.{{sfn|AICNHowarth|2011}} A remastered version of the score was released on [[Phonograph record|vinyl]] on February 23, 2017; a deluxe edition included an exclusive interview with Carpenter.{{sfn|Lozano|2017}} In May 2020, an [[extended play]] (EP), ''Lost Cues: The Thing'', was released. The EP contains Carpenter's contributions to ''The Thing''{{'}}s score; he re-recorded the music because the original [[mastering (audio)|masterings]] were lost.{{sfn|Roffman|2020}}

===Other media===
A novelization of the film was published by Alan Dean Foster in 1982.{{sfn|Hunter|2016}} It is based on an earlier draft of the script and features some differences from the finished film.{{sfn|Cohen|2012f}} A scene in which MacReady, Bennings, and Childs chase infected dogs out into the snow is included,{{sfn|Foster|1982a|pp=99–114}} and Nauls' disappearance is explained: Cornered by the Blair-Thing, he chooses suicide over assimilation.{{sfn|Foster|1982a|pp=189–90}}

In 2000, [[McFarlane Toys]] released two "Movie Maniacs" figures: the Blair-Thing{{sfn|MerchBlair|2018}} and the Norris-Thing, including its spider-legged, disembodied head.{{sfn|MerchNorris|2018}} [[SOTA Toys]] released a set featuring a MacReady figure and the Dog-Thing based on the film's kennel scene,{{sfn|MerchSota1|2005}} as well as a bust of the Norris-Thing's spider-head.{{sfn|Woods|2014}} In 2017, [[Mondo (American company)|Mondo]] and the Project Raygun division of [[USAopoly]] released ''The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31'', a board game. Players take on the role of characters from the film or the Thing, each aiming to defeat the other through subterfuge and sabotage.{{sfn|Penzey|2017}}{{sfn|Rife|2017}} ''The Thing: The Boardgame'' was released by Pendragon Game Studio in 2024.{{sfn|Robinson|2024}} 

A pinball table based on ''The Thing'' is featured in ''[[Pinball FX (2023 video game)#Pinball M|Pinball M]]'' (2023), including R.J. MacReady and various other elements from the film.{{sfn|Wilson|2023}} Characters from, and an area based on ''The Thing'' appear in the 2024 video game ''[[Funko Fusion]]''.{{sfn|Stuart|2024}}{{sfn|Lord|2024}}