Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Hitcher

  • 1986
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,513
1,190
The Hitcher (1986)
A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.
Play trailer2:30
1 Video
99+ Photos
Psychological ThrillerActionMysteryThriller

A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.

  • Director
    • Robert Harmon
  • Writer
    • Eric Red
  • Stars
    • Rutger Hauer
    • C. Thomas Howell
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    55K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,513
    1,190
    • Director
      • Robert Harmon
    • Writer
      • Eric Red
    • Stars
      • Rutger Hauer
      • C. Thomas Howell
      • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • 329User reviews
    • 100Critic reviews
    • 32Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos134

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 126
    View Poster

    Top cast16

    Edit
    Rutger Hauer
    Rutger Hauer
    • John Ryder
    C. Thomas Howell
    C. Thomas Howell
    • Jim Halsey
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Nash
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    • Captain Esteridge
    John M. Jackson
    John M. Jackson
    • Sergeant Starr
    • (as John Jackson)
    Billy Green Bush
    Billy Green Bush
    • Trooper Donner
    • (as Billy Greenbush)
    Jack Thibeau
    Jack Thibeau
    • Trooper Prestone
    Armin Shimerman
    Armin Shimerman
    • Interrogation Sergeant
    Gene Davis
    Gene Davis
    • Trooper Dodge
    • (as Eugene Davis)
    Jon Van Ness
    Jon Van Ness
    • Trooper Hapscomb
    Henry Darrow
    Henry Darrow
    • Trooper Hancock
    Tony Epper
    • Trooper Conners
    Tom Spratley
    Tom Spratley
    • Proprietor
    Colin Campbell
    • Construction Man
    Brittania
      Garth Shaw
      • Photographer
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Robert Harmon
      • Writer
        • Eric Red
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      Remembering Rutger Hauer (1944-2019)

      Remembering Rutger Hauer (1944-2019)

      We celebrate the life and legacy of Rutger Hauer, the award-winning actor best known for Blade Runner and The Hitcher.
      Watch the video
      Editorial Image
      1:08

      More like this

      The Hitcher
      5.6
      The Hitcher
      China Lake
      7.1
      China Lake
      The Stepfather
      6.7
      The Stepfather
      The Blob
      6.7
      The Blob
      Breakdown
      7.0
      Breakdown
      Telephone
      7.0
      Telephone
      Near Dark
      6.9
      Near Dark
      Christine
      6.8
      Christine
      The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting
      4.3
      The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting
      Duel
      7.6
      Duel
      In the Mouth of Madness
      7.1
      In the Mouth of Madness
      Candyman
      6.7
      Candyman

      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        In Rutger Hauer's book "All Those Moments", Hauer mentioned how executive producer Edward S. Feldman settled on Sam Elliott for the role of John Ryder. Hauer states that "Apparently, Elliott was so scary when he came in to audition that Feldman was afraid to go out to his car afterward." Sam Elliott had a scheduling conflict and had to back out of the role.
      • Goofs
        The car that gets hit by the bus loses its bumper, but the bumper can be seen in a subsequent shot.
      • Quotes

        John Ryder: Gas stations have cigarettes.

        Jim Halsey: What about gas?

        John Ryder: I don't need gas.

        Jim Halsey: What do you want?

        [John starts laughing]

        Jim Halsey: What's so funny?

        John Ryder: That's what the other guy said.

        Jim Halsey: What other guy?

        John Ryder: That guy back there, the one we just passed. The guy who picked me up before you did.

        Jim Halsey: That was him in there?

        John Ryder: Sure it was. He couldn't have walked very far.

        Jim Halsey: Why's that?

        John Ryder: Because I cut off his legs... and his arms... and his head... and I'm going to do the same to you.

      • Connections
        Edited into The Hitcher: 'How Do These Movies Get Made?' (2003)
      • Soundtracks
        Don't Stop Lovin' Me
        Performed by Mickey Jones
        Published by Mickey Jones Music (ASCAP)

      User reviews329

      Review
      Review
      Featured review

      Hauer's best role

      This is just a perfectly executed 80s action/thriller/horror film. Rutger Hauer owns his role and is genuinely terrifying. Ignore the bad reviews, this is a masterpiece!
      • Robogirl87
      • Jul 29, 2022
      • Permalink

      Top picks

      Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
      Sign in

      FAQ23

      • How long is The Hitcher?Powered by Alexa
      • The woman that Jim Halsey met on the bus, why did she help him?
      • Why does Ryder place the coins on Halsey's eyes and under his tongue in the diner?
      • Would stringing Nash up between a semi-tractor & a trailer really tear her in half?

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • February 21, 1986 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Languages
        • English
        • French
      • Also known as
        • Hitcher, el asesino de la carretera
      • Filming locations
        • Roy's Motel and Cafe, Amboy, California, USA(Roy's diner)
      • Production companies
        • HBO Pictures
        • Silver Screen Partners
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Budget
        • $6,000,000 (estimated)
      • Gross US & Canada
        • $5,844,868
      • Opening weekend US & Canada
        • $2,134,214
        • Feb 23, 1986
      • Gross worldwide
        • $5,844,868
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 37 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Aspect ratio
        • 2.39 : 1

      Related news

      Contribute to this page

      Suggest an edit or add missing content
      The Hitcher (1986)
      Top Gap
      What is the Hindi language plot outline for The Hitcher (1986)?
      Answer
      • See more gaps
      • Learn more about contributing
      Edit page

      More to explore

      Recently viewed

      Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
      Get the IMDb app
      Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
      Follow IMDb on social
      Get the IMDb app
      For Android and iOS
      Get the IMDb app
      • Help
      • Site Index
      • IMDbPro
      • Box Office Mojo
      • License IMDb Data
      • Press Room
      • Advertising
      • Jobs
      • Conditions of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Your Ads Privacy Choices
      IMDb, an Amazon company

      © 1990-2024 by IMDb.com, Inc.