Poltergeist

January 1982

(469)

Synopsis

When Steve Freeling moves his family into a new house in the development where he is the top homes salesman, it looks like things are going well for him and his family. But as his wife, Diane, and his children, Dana, Robbie and little Carol Anne, begin to unpack and settle in, strange things start happening. Almost playful at first, a mysterious force begins stacking chairs on the kitchen table, or making objects slide across the floor. But the ghostly antics soon turn terrifying as the house, or something in it, starts attacking the Freeling family, and Carol Anne is abducted by evil spirits still trapped on Earth, looking to use her innocence to get into the afterlife. This truly frightening film was written and produced by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg ("War of the Worlds"), directed by horror movie master Tobe Hooper (the original "Texas Chain Saw Massacre"), Craig T. Nelson ("The Invisibles"), Jobeth Williams ("Fever Pitch") and Zelda Rubinstein ("Sixteen Candles"). MPAA Rating: PG Copyright © 1982 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Reviews

4.5

469 total

5 331

4 76

3 31

2 7

1 24

The film delivers honest special-effects shocks without forfeiting its good nature.

Variety Staff

Given the talents, Poltergeist is an annoying film because it could have been so much better.

Dave Kehr

Though the shocks are well conveyed, it's the sweetness that lingers, making this the first cute and cuddly entry in the genre.

It is consistently redeemed by its creator's dazzling sense of craft.

Roger Ebert

Hooper and Spielberg hold our interest by observing the everyday rituals of this family so closely that, since the family seems real, the weird events take on a certain credibility by association.

Vincent Canby

Poltergeist is like a thoroughly enjoyable nightmare, one that you know that you can always wake up from, and one in which, at the end, no one has permanently been damaged. It's also witty in a fashion that Alfred Hitchcock might have appreciated.

Critic reviews

The film delivers honest special-effects shocks without forfeiting its good nature.

Full Review

Variety Staff

Given the talents, Poltergeist is an annoying film because it could have been so much better.

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Though the shocks are well conveyed, it's the sweetness that lingers, making this the first cute and cuddly entry in the genre.

Full Review

It is consistently redeemed by its creator's dazzling sense of craft.

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Hooper and Spielberg hold our interest by observing the everyday rituals of this family so closely that, since the family seems real, the weird events take on a certain credibility by association.

Full Review

Vincent Canby

Full Review

User reviews

Fred G. Sanford. January 31, 2014

Producer Steven Spielberg's middle class is ripped apart w ith a house full of evil spirits Flawless. Enourmously entertaining. You get to know the family- like them and then their whole world is ripped apart. A wonderfully wry comment on middle class struggles and achievement. Beautiful Jerry Golsmith score.

Edward Fraraccio January 17, 2014

I saw Poltergeist for the first time when I was 7, renting the DVD in '05 and loved it. I saw it on Sundance recently. It was the first time I'd seen it since that first viewing. My mother cried during certain scenes. My sister saw it all-the-way-through for the first time. I still feel that 7-year-old-on-the-edge-of-my-seat feeling while watching this movie. Poltergeist revolves around Steve (Craig T. Nelson) and Diane Freeling (JoBeth Williams) who have recently moved to Cuesta Verde with their three children, 16-year-old Dana (Dominique Dunne), 8-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and 5-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke). They're an average American family, but their lives are turned upside down when they find out their house is haunted. The ghosts seem to be obsessed with their television. When the ghosts kidnap Carol Anne, they really go through something to save her. The performances are top-notch. The special effects still hold up. The plot is still very original. Poltergeist is the first of its kind, a classic, the best haunted house movie, and a well made thriller that really gives you a good jump. I personally believe it's the greatest supernatural thriller of all time. I don't mind saying this is my favorite movie. Fun, not scary.

A Google User September 2, 2012

Boring First the movie takes to long to start and a waste of money.. The beginning of the movie is extra weird.. Is stupid and very corny

Sadie Green March 31, 2014

Awesome A google user, that is why I watch it, cause its corny, but good, my friends love to watch it together!

Alana Ross September 30, 2014

Poltergeist Something good had to come out of the 80s, and it sure wasn't the music. But 80s horror movies were some of the best, and this is no exception. Downright scary!!! Loved it!

Jeffrey Doak August 24, 2014

Poltergeist A ghost story by Steven Spielberg. The tagline for this movie is perfect: "It knows what scares you." Steven Spielberg pulls on our basic fears. The result is a frighteningly fun ghost story.

A Google User March 18, 2012

my favorite movie i love this scary movie it is awesome but scary! my absolute fave scary movie

A Google User December 1, 2011

Awesome Best scare I had In years

jamil ribeiro September 16, 2013

Another lame 80 Movei really even i can make a better movei then that.So boring i would only watch to put me to sleep.

A Google User May 20, 2012

Will not upload I am so mad i love this movie and i can't even watch , this sucks so bad and it cost me $3 i am livid about this how can i get my money back :(

A Google User July 12, 2012

Original Horror Amazing Movie Where You Feel Like You Could Just Sit Around The Fire With Your Friends And Watch It... A Real Five Star Worthy Movie :)

Angel Barber August 28, 2014

The original creepy movie! I loved this movie as a kid, enjoyed it as a teenager and still love it as an adult! It's been great introducing this movie to my kids and seeing how much they enjoy this movie too.

Victoria Starr September 12, 2014

victorias review don't buy this movie,this movie not even scary.

Jackson Scheele April 25, 2014

Scary!!!!! Oh my god this movie is amazingly scary. The effects are disturbingly good especially for an old movie.

A Google User September 7, 2012

Classic! One of the best horror flicks ever. It was years ahead of its time. Amazing performances. Brilliant!

christopher woods August 27, 2014

True classic.! I grew up in the 80's,and this movie scared me as a child. It deserves to be watched!

Roshonda Ferguson December 7, 2012

One of the best horror films This movie is great and is also a classic.

Matthew Tirone October 10, 2014

It made me scream, cry and laugh! This is absolutely my favourite movie!!

A Google User June 29, 2012

Legendary One the most anxiety inducing scary movies of all time. A true classic.

A Google User March 19, 2012

A must see If you havent seen this movie, do it. NOW.

Cast and credits

Actors	Michael Mc Manus, Dirk Blocker, Craig T. Nelson, Dominick Dunne, Heather O'Rourke, James Karen, Jobeth Williams, Oiiver Robins
Producers	Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg
Director	Tobe Hooper
Writers	Mark Victor, Michael Grais, Steven Spielberg

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

87%

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Subtitles

English

Rental period

Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.

Info cards

Enabled

Run time

114 minutes

Rating

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