Scanners (1981) Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Action

Scanners (1981) Movie Release Dates / Movie Details

Updated: February 03, 2025

Scanners Plot Synopsis:

Darryl Revok is the most powerful of all the scanners, and is the head of the underground scanner movement for world domination. Scanners have great psychic power, strong enough to control minds; they can inflict enormous pain/damage on their victims. Doctor Paul Ruth finds a scanner that Revok hasn't, and converts him to their cause - to destroy the underground movement.

Synopsis / Plot Summary: A scientist sends a man with extraordinary psychic powers to hunt others like him.

Tagline: There are 4 billion people on earth. 237 are Scanners. They have the most terrifying powers ever created... and they are winning.

Scanners is the cornerstone of 1980s horror/sci-fi and a breakthrough for the now legendary director David Cronenberg (Crimes of the Future, The Fly, Videodrome), now the seminal shocker is set a mind-blowing Limited Edition makeover from experts in the field, Second Sight Films, this March.

Scanners Limited Edition 4K/UHD and Blu-ray Box set is set for release on 31 March 2024 and will also be available in Standard Edition 4K and Blu-ray. The groundbreaking special effects and iconic explosive scenes are about to be seen in all their grotesque glory with a brand-new 4K restoration, with the approval of Cronenberg himself. 

The set is presented in a stunning rigid slipcase complete with new artwork by Krishna Shenoi and comes packed with a slew of brilliant special features including a new commentary, interviews with cast and crew, including Micheal Ironside. There’s also a 120-page book filled with essays and more. Please see the full list of features on attached.

Drifter Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack – Dead Ringers) is plagued by incessant voices in his head, unaware that he’s a ‘Scanner’ – a person with extraordinary telepathic powers, who can not only read minds but literally tear them apart.

When he meets Dr. Paul Ruth (Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoners, Braveheart), the scientist recruits him and others of his kind to help them adapt to society. But a sinister underground movement of Scanners led by the psychotic Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside – Total Recall, Starship Troopers) have other intentions and the ultimate confrontation of minds awaits.

Get your head in the game for this brand-new must have collector’s edition of Scanners, it’s guaranteed to blow your mind.

Scanners Movie Information:

What is Scanners Streaming On?

Whistle (2025), Forgive Us All (2025), Hell House LLC: Lineage (2025), 28 Years Later: The Bone… (2026), 28 Years Later (2025), We Bury the Dead (2024), Strange Harvest: Occult Murder… (2024), Bring Her Back (2025), Parvulos (2024), and ZombieCON Vol. 1 (2024)

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Check out more movies that start with S and movies from 1981. Also, you can find more thriller movies that start with S. Also, here are some more sci-fi movies that start with S.

(11) Movie Recommendations

Similar Movies to Scanners (1981)(Click to Expand)

1. The Fly (1986) / (read The Fly (1986) review)
2. eXistenZ (1999) / (read eXistenZ (1999) review)
3. Videodrome (1983) / (read Videodrome (1983) review)
4. The Dead Zone (1983) / (read The Dead Zone (1983) review)
5. Re-Animator (1985) / (read Re-Animator (1985) review)
6. Naked Lunch (1991)
7. Dead Ringers (1988) / (read Dead Ringers (1988) review)
8. Spider (2002)
9. The Brood (1979) / (read The Brood (1979) review)
10. Shivers (1975)
11. Rabid (1977)

Scanners (1981) Cast (Click to Expand)

Fun Facts: 15 Real AGES of Cast

Source: IMDB, Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, HellHorror.com fans like you!