Poltergeist

Play trailer

Poltergeist

PG

Released Jun 4, 1982

1h 54m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

76 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family, the Freelings -- Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), teenaged Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Ann (Heather O'Rourke) -- when ghosts commune with them through the television set. Initially friendly and playful, the spirits turn unexpectedly menacing, and, when Carol Ann goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist for help.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Smartly filmed, tightly scripted, and -- most importantly -- consistently frightening, Poltergeist is a modern horror classic.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

... A masterclass in creeping suburban horror.

Oct 23, 2023

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

One of the great anti-TV movies, alongside Network and The Truman Show.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 21, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

The keynote of the film is O’Rourke’s eerie, ethereally pale face, illuminated by the unearthly light of the haunted TV.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 21, 2022

Full Review

Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Made around the same time Spielberg was shooting 'E.T. The Extraterrestrial' — the two films were released a week apart that summer — and in many ways it can be seen as that humane masterpiece’s sicko B-side.

Nov 2, 2023

Full Review

Jenn Adams

Bloody Disgusting

Though often remembered for its ominous catch phrase, “They’re here…”, its evil clown, and its gruesome conclusion, Poltergeist is a film brimming with strong female characters.

Rated: A

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Tobe Hooper does a great job of creating a sense of suburban normalcy and playful family dynamics. Plus he delivers some really creepy scenes.

Oct 29, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Fred

Man, this is a GOOD movie. Nowadays I only hope for solidly mediocre. No boring parts. Great character development. Freely, but not too gory, we'll except for one dream sequence where a guy tears his own face off. Very California 1980s growing up - R.C. Cars, T.V. remotes new technology, Televisions going off air at night after the National Anthem, etc

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

Full Review

geminielsy

One of the best movies it still gave me the chills.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

Full Review

jessie

Classic 🤌🏽 not too spooky 👍🏽

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/22

Full Review

Esra Y

Although it's a goofy, fun watch through today's lenses, i can imagine how scary it must've been for folks in 80s. It's a creative, witty movie. You can also count how many scenes and ideas were "inspiring" for Duffer brothers

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

Javier M

Poltergeist is a masterpiece. How many pictures can get your attention in 3'30?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

Full Review

james s

I still have nightmares. Greatest horror flick of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tobe Hooper

Director

Craig T. Nelson

Steve Freeling

JoBeth Williams

Diane Freeling

Beatrice Straight

Dr. Lesh

Dominique Dunne

Dana Freeling

Oliver Robins

Robbie Freeling

Jaws III

11%

17%

Jaws III

Watchlist

Night Watch

40%

65%

Night Watch

Watchlist

Tourist Trap

57%

47%

Tourist Trap

Watchlist

Asylum

67%

52%

Asylum

Watchlist

The Beast Must Die

38%

37%

The Beast Must Die

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family, the Freelings -- Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), teenaged Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Ann (Heather O'Rourke) -- when ghosts commune with them through the television set. Initially friendly and playful, the spirits turn unexpectedly menacing, and, when Carol Ann goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist for help.

Director: Tobe Hooper
Producer: Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $121.8M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now