On this day May 11, 1984, Firestarter premiered in theaters, bringing Stephen King’s supernatural thriller to the big screen. Directed by Mark L. Lester, the film starred a young Drew Barrymore as Charlie McGee, a girl born with terrifying pyrokinetic powers, being hunted by a secret government agency.
The cast also featured David Keith, Heather Locklear, George C. Scott, Louise Fletcher, and Martin Sheen. With intense performances and a dark storyline, the film delivered a fiery blend of science fiction and suspense.
Fun fact: Made on a 12 million dollar budget, Firestarter earned 18 million at the box office. It was one of Drew Barrymore’s first major roles after her breakout in E.T. and helped establish her as a rising star of the decade.