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The Frighteners (1996)

R  |   |  Comedy, Horror  |  19 July 1996 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 65,200 users  
Reviews: 217 user | 115 critic

After a tragic car accident that killed his wife, a man discovers he can communicate with the dead to con people but when a demonic spirit appears, he may be the only one who can stop it from killing the living and the dead.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Patricia Ann Bradley (as Dee Wallace-Stone)
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Jim Fyfe ...
Stuart, Bannister's Ghostly Assistant
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Julianna McCarthy ...
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Angela Bloomfield ...
Desmond Kelly ...
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Storyline

After a car accident in which his wife, Debra, was killed and he was injured, Frank Bannister develops psychic abilities allowing him to see, hear, and communicate with ghosts. After losing his wife, he then gave up his job as an architect, letting his unfinished "dream house" sit incomplete for years, and put these skills to use by befriending a few ghosts and getting them to haunt houses in the area to drum up work for his ghostbusting business; Then Frank proceeds to "exorcise" the houses for a fee. But when he discovers that an entity resembling the Grim Reaper is killing people, marking numbers on their forehead beforehand, Frank tries to help the people whom the Reaper is after! Written by Anthony Pereyra <hypersonic91@yahoo.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

No Rest for the Wicked. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Horror

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

19 July 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Robert Zemeckis Presents: The Frighteners  »

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,565,000 (USA) (19 July 1996)

Gross:

DEM 26,052 (Germany) (2 January 1998)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Jackson and Robert Zemeckis unsuccessfully campaigned to have the film released in October 1996 for Halloween week. The studio however wanted it for a summer release. The move ultimately backfired as it didn't do well in gross earnings. See more »

Goofs

When Frank is having breakfast talking to his ghost buddies early in the film, the background (Lyttelton, New Zealand) shows the location at sunset, not sunrise. See more »

Quotes

Ray Lynskey: Alright Bannister.Can you at least give me a ride so I don't miss my funeral.
See more »

Connections

References The Exorcist (1973) See more »

Soundtracks

Superstar
Written by Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell
Performed by Sonic Youth
Courtesy of DCG Records
By Arrangement with MCA Special Markets and Products
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

* * * out of 4.
11 September 2002 | by (Click on my name for over 500 horror movie reviews!) – See all my reviews

Con man (Michael J. Fox) uses the ghosts he sees and maintains friendships with in order to rip off people in order to make a living after losing his wife. However, there is a dead serial killer lurking about killing everyone and Fox has to stop this ghost before it can claim another victim. This film moves along at such fast pace you never have time to question what is going on on-screen. The film itself, is filled with many wonderful visual effects and proves to be a perfect vehicle for Fox's many talents. It is also brimming with many original thoughts and idea's. It is highly under rated and I highly recommanded this film. Just check your brain in at the door however.

Rated R; Violence and Profanity.


19 of 30 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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I'm confused about Patricia + Johnny calia386
Was there a reason why Johnny and Patricia killed the people? mgrad784
I think Jeffrey Combs is a great actor BUT sevenhillz
Sequel? korners
The poster art codyhoskins
Did they change the ending? Sosafiend
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