Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Poltergeist (1982) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 45 | slideshow) Videos
Poltergeist (1982) -- A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts.

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   28,216 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 21% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tobe Hooper
Writers:
Steven Spielberg (story)
Steven Spielberg (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Poltergeist on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 June 1982 (USA) more
Genre:
Horror | Thriller more
Tagline:
They're here. more
Plot:
A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(122 articles)
The Terrible Secret Of Space
 (From SoundOnSight. 24 June 2009, 10:28 PM, PDT)

Producer Frank Marshall Says “Don’t Spend Your Money” on IMAX Digital
 (From /Film. 17 June 2009, 11:45 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
They're Here. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the scene where Robbie (Oliver Robins) is being strangled, the clown's arms became extremely tight and Robbins started to choke. When he screamed out, "I can't breathe!" Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper thought that the boy was ad-libbing and just instructed him to look at the camera. When Spielberg saw Robbins's face turning purple, he ran over and removed the clown's arms from Robbins's neck. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the paranormal investigator takes his face apart in the bathroom, the reflection in the bathroom mirror changes three times: 1. The walls in the reflection are pegboard, and a bottle of "Fantastik" cleaner hangs near the mirror. 2. After a cut to an overhead light and back, the walls are no longer pegboard, the bottle has disappeared, and a cleaning brush has appeared on the wall. 3. After a cut to the sink and back, the bottle is back, but is of a different type, and a black cloth is hanging over the brush. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Carol Anne: Hello? What do you look like? Talk louder, I can't hear you! Hey, hello! Hello, I can't hear you! Five. Yes. Yes. I don't know. I don't know.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Movie Magic: Ghost Effects: Ghost Stories (#4.13)" (1996) more
Soundtrack:
The Star-Spangled Banner more

FAQ

Why doesn't Tangina just send the ghosts into the Light?
Is "Poltergeist" based on a book?
Why did the tree go after Robbie when the poltergeists were really after Carol Anne?
more
20 out of 27 people found the following comment useful:-
They're Here., 15 March 2002
Author: tfrizzell from United States

Truly spooky and disturbing horror film from the early-1980s that will make you jump from your seat. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams seem to lead a normal life. He is a successful real estate agent and she is a loving housewife. They have three beautiful children, but one night all that slowly changes. The youngest child (Heather O'Rourke) starts talking to unseen spirits through a scrambled television station. The parents don't think much of it, until furniture starts to move on its own. However, the real terror does not start until O'Rourke is taken to another dimension by "the TV people". Now paranormalists led by Beatrice Straight must come in and try to get O'Rourke back to her family. Tobe Hooper, who is best known for the highly over-rated "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", does an admirable job here with the film's direction. However, it is rumored that Steven Spielberg came in during his "E.T" days and did the bulk of the work. This makes more sense as the film is really frightening and disturbing. The special effects are also impressive and "Poltergeist" ends up being one of those films that just sticks with you for a long time after you first see it. 4 stars out of 5.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Poltergeist (1982)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Do NOT ever remake this movie KCantu
Another Poltergeist actor dead lollipop99
Creepeist scene??? DesperateForMore
end credits. jimmyfilms-3
Did anyone see Little Girl Lost? Vergilya
Something really bugged me.... cdhanger-1
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Stir of Echoes Halloween American Beauty The Shining The Night of the Hunter
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Horror section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.