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The Frighteners (1996)

 -  Comedy | Fantasy | Horror  -  19 July 1996 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 48,940 users  
Reviews: 205 user | 104 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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Title: The Frighteners (1996)

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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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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

Plot Keywords:

ghost | hell | architect | fbi | grim reaper | See more »

Taglines:

When your number's up, its up. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

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Language:

Release Date:

19 July 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Robert Zemeckis Presents: The Frighteners  »

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

DEM 26,052 (Germany) (2 January 1998)

Gross:

DEM 26,052 (Germany) (2 January 1998)
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Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Melanie Lynskey, star of Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures, makes a cameo in this film. She is the deputy taking Lucy Lynskey's statement at the police station. Also Lucy's last name is a reference to the actress as well. See more »

Goofs

When Lucy is freezing Frank down, the dial she turns is color-coded light blue to dark blue (cold to colder). Moments later, when Dammers turns up, the dial is on a previously non-existent red setting. See more »

Quotes

Dammers: Sheriff! You are violating my territorial bubble.
See more »

Connections

References Ghostbusters II (1989) 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.


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This has cult classic written all over it. col547
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I think Jeffrey Combs is a great actor BUT sevenhillz
Peter Jackson's real-life ghost story sniglet_33
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Dir. Cut. Boomstickman
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