The Hitcher (1986 film)

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The Hitcher
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Harmon
Written by	Eric Red
Produced by	David Bombyk Kip Ohman
Starring	Rutger Hauer C. Thomas Howell Jeffrey DeMunn Jennifer Jason Leigh
Cinematography	John Seale
Edited by	Frank J. Urioste
Music by	Mark Isham
Production companies	HBO Pictures Silver Screen Partners
Distributed by	Tri-Star Pictures
Release date	February 21, 1986 (1986-02-21)
Running time	97 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$7.9 million
Box office	$5.8 million

The Hitcher is a 1986 American horror thriller^[2][3][4][5] film directed by Robert Harmon and written by Eric Red. It stars Rutger Hauer as the title character, a murderous hitchhiker who stalks a young motorist (C. Thomas Howell) across the highways of West Texas. Jeffrey DeMunn and Jennifer Jason Leigh appear in supporting roles.

Released in the United States on February 21, 1986, the film was originally met with tepid critical and commercial response, grossing $5.8 million on a $7.9 million budget. In later years, it has been reappraised as a cult classic. The film was followed by a 2003 sequel, The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting, which featured Howell reprising his role, and a 2007 remake.