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Poltergeist

  • 1982
  • PG
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
171K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,591
396
Heather O'Rourke in Poltergeist (1982)
A family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.
Play trailer2:05
6 Videos
99+ Photos
HorrorThriller

A family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.A family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.A family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.

  • Director
    • Tobe Hooper
  • Writers
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Michael Grais
    • Mark Victor
  • Stars
    • JoBeth Williams
    • Heather O'Rourke
    • Craig T. Nelson
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    171K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,591
    396
    • Director
      • Tobe Hooper
    • Writers
      • Steven Spielberg
      • Michael Grais
      • Mark Victor
    • Stars
      • JoBeth Williams
      • Heather O'Rourke
      • Craig T. Nelson
    • 503User reviews
    • 280Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos6

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Watch Trailer
    Poltergeist (1982)
    Trailer 2:25
    Watch Poltergeist (1982)
    Stream & Scream: The Best Haunted Houses
    Clip 4:35
    Watch Stream & Scream: The Best Haunted Houses
    Upside Down the Rabbit Holes of "Stranger Things"
    Clip 3:45
    Watch Upside Down the Rabbit Holes of "Stranger Things"
    Halloween Costume Creations
    Video 1:50
    Watch Halloween Costume Creations
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 32
    Video 29:51
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 32

    Photos164

    Heather O'Rourke, JoBeth Williams, and Craig T. Nelson in Poltergeist (1982)
    Dominique Dunne in Poltergeist (1982)
    Oliver Robins in Poltergeist (1982)
    Steven Spielberg, Craig T. Nelson, and James Karen in Poltergeist (1982)
    JoBeth Williams and Beatrice Straight in Poltergeist (1982)
    Martin Casella, Richard Lawson, and Beatrice Straight in Poltergeist (1982)
    JoBeth Williams, Richard Lawson, Oliver Robins, Zelda Rubinstein, and Beatrice Straight in Poltergeist (1982)
    Heather O'Rourke in Poltergeist (1982)
    Craig T. Nelson in Poltergeist (1982)
    Heather O'Rourke in Poltergeist (1982)
    Heather O'Rourke in Poltergeist (1982)
    JoBeth Williams in Poltergeist (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Diane Freeling
    • (as Jobeth Williams)
    Heather O'Rourke
    Heather O'Rourke
    • Carol Anne Freeling
    Craig T. Nelson
    Craig T. Nelson
    • Steve Freeling
    Beatrice Straight
    Beatrice Straight
    • Dr. Lesh
    Dominique Dunne
    Dominique Dunne
    • Dana Freeling
    Oliver Robins
    Oliver Robins
    • Robbie Freeling
    Michael McManus
    Michael McManus
    • Ben Tuthill
    Virginia Kiser
    Virginia Kiser
    • Mrs. Tuthill
    Martin Casella
    Martin Casella
    • Marty
    Richard Lawson
    Richard Lawson
    • Ryan
    Zelda Rubinstein
    Zelda Rubinstein
    • Tangina
    James Karen
    James Karen
    • Mr. Teague
    Lou Perryman
    • Pugsley
    • (as Lou Perry)
    Clair E. Leucart
    • Bulldozer Driver
    • (as Clair Leucart)
    Dirk Blocker
    Dirk Blocker
    • Jeff Shaw
    Allan Graf
    Allan Graf
    • Neighbor
    Joseph Walsh
    Joseph Walsh
    • Neighbor
    • (as Joseph R. Walsh)
    Helen Baron
    • Woman Buyer
    • Director
      • Tobe Hooper
    • Writers
      • Steven Spielberg
      • Michael Grais
      • Mark Victor
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Heather O'Rourke kept the pet goldfish Carol Anne has in the film.
    • Goofs
      Many viewers have pointed out that only one of the houses in the neighborhood is affected by ghosts even though the whole neighborhood and many other houses were built on the same ground. However, there are two sections of the movie that explain this discrepancy: one in which Steven tells a prospective buyer that his family was one of the first to move into their neighborhood, and another in which Steven's boss mentions that Carol Anne was born in the house. The novelization makes the connection more explicit: because Carol Anne was born in the burial ground, the spirits gravitated toward the Freeling household, attracted by her life force.
    • Quotes

      Carol Anne Freeling: They're here.

    • Crazy credits
      After the credits and the logo of the MGM lion is shown, we hear children laughing. Fans of the film have assumed that the laughing children are those who have been released from the beast and have crossed over the threshold into the next life.
    • Alternate versions
      For ABC's 1985 network television premiere, Marty's hallucination is altered so instead of him ripping his own face off, he sees his face rapidly deteriorate briefly.
    • Connections
      Edited into Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      The Star-Spangled Banner
      (1814) (uncredited)

      Music based on "The Anacreontic Song" by John Stafford Smith

      Arranged by Arturo Toscanini

      [Played as TV sign-off music several times]

    User reviews503

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    One of the best horror films of all time.
    What do you get when you put Steven Spielberg, Tobe Hooper, Jerry Goldsmith, and Beatrice Straight in a big budget MGM motion picture about a haunted house? You get "Poltergeist" a top of the pick, no holds barred, roller coaster ride through the supernatural world and back to ours. "Poltergeist" explores the side affects of a haunted house and it's effects on a normal suburban family who inhabits the house.

    Steve Freeling is a successful realestate agent who has a nice house and a loving wife, with a family to die for. There is the spunky, rebellious eldest daughter, as portrayed gloriously by the late Dominique Dunne, may she rest in peace. The sporty young son, and the cute, innocent youngest daughter, Carol Ann, of whom the story is based around. The Freelings' are a happy American family whose lives are turned upside down when they realize their house in 'haunted' and the 'poltergeists' kidnap the youngest member of the family. In the film that pursues, Steve and his wife Diane do everything in their power to get her back, with the aid of Dr. Lesh, played out Oscar worthy by Beatrice Straight, and her assistants. Horrors and traumas ensue.

    Enough power to knock you out of your dreams for long time, this film, was said to be directed by Tobe Hooper, whom had previous fame with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But when one watches this film, it is anything but Hooper. Hooper's trademarks include hysteria and screaming by a young female in the finale of his films(remember 'Eaten Alive?') and have no real substance or depth in their plots, what you see is what you get. Whereas this film, said to be produced by Spielberg, was so obviously directed(on the side anyway)by also, as his trade marks include psychological P.O.V. shots(Diane Freeling in the hallway scene) and wide range of character development(all characters except for Dana are developed to fruition, but Dunne does such a great job as Dana that you can't really tell.)There was even controversy over who directed the film, and still stands so today, although Spielberg came forward a little after the film was released, and exposed himself as only producer and assistant to the director, still, rumor is still hovering over the memory of the production.

    The music to the film is superb, with Goldsmith clearly at one of his best moments, nominated but did not win, although he should have. His theme for the Freelings' is a calm, gentle one that compliments his theme for Carol Ann, which is quite possibly one of the prettiest themes he ever concocted. His score for the ghosts consists of structured, spiritual themes and rough orchestral brass woodwind, accompanied by a grand chorus. All other themes he came up with were just as stand out-ish as the above mentioned.

    The acting is top notch, by conflicted Steve Freeling, who is so confused he self destructs into a pale maelstrom in his mind, and Diane, the mother and star of the film, Jobeth Williams is at her finest as she deals with the stress of trying to find her daughter, and keeping her family afloat amidst the chaos. The children are all really good under Hooper's(Spielberg's?) direction, particularly Dominique Dunne, who shines through in all scenes she is in, even though her character has got to be the most underdeveloped! Robbie is fun to watch, as all little boys will be boys. And who could forget the cute Carol-Ann...They're Heeeeere! Enough said. But my personal favorite was the late Beatrice Straight, as the sympathetic Dr. Lesh, who with every facial expression, the audience can see what exactly she is thinking, about to say, and still manages to surprise the audience with her spontaneous acting skill. The supporting cast are just as great.

    Special effects make this even more of a thrill ride of the ages, as Industrial Light and Magic was first starting out, and makes this one of the biggest special effects fest of cinema. Nominations for those also.

    So in full circle, this family, this film, the most extraordinary horror film of the eighties, still has the power to ring every chill out of it's script, while still managing to keep the audience calm with it's realism, and relief.

    And about the curse that is said to follow the series' past, all just tragedies and coincidence.

    May Dominique Dunne, Beatrice Straight, Heather O' Rourke, Jerry Goldsmith, all rest in peace.

    10/10
    helpful•143
    58
    • TruPretender
    • Feb 2, 2005

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    FAQ19

    • What is Ryan listening to while drawing?
    • Who is the glowing ghost floating across the living room?
    • What is 'Poltergeist' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 4, 1982 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • It's Night Time
    • Filming locations
      • 4267 Roxbury Street, Forest Hills, Simi Valley, California, USA(Freeling house exteriors)
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • SLM Production Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,700,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $77,177,301
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,896,612
      • Jun 6, 1982
    • Gross worldwide
      • $77,229,971
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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