Casper

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Casper

PG

Released May 26, 1995

1h 40m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson) is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey (Bill Pullman) arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state, but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics.

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Critics Consensus

A meandering, mindless family movie that frequently resorts to special effects and transparent sappiness.

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Anne Cohen

Refinery29

It's a funny and often poignant film that's worth reexamining today.

Aug 29, 2019

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Jane Howdle

Empire Magazine

t's aimed squarely at the tinies, but there is charm enough here to make it bearable for adults too.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 16, 2010

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

A fairy tale with the soul of a rerun.

Rated: C

Jul 6, 2010

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Cassondra Feltus

Black Girl Nerds

Casper is a deeply tragic yet oddly wholesome coming-of-age tale about loneliness and grief. Though the film is essentially a meditation on death, it isn’t all doom and gloom. It still has its zany moments and mid-90s charm.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 25, 2023

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James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

More like a Cinderella story than a gothic horror, this really was one of the most under-rated movies of the 1990s and should keep viewers of all ages engrossed on a slow summer holiday day.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 6, 2022

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an erratic but generally passable adaptation that could've easily been much, much worse.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 1, 2020

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Denise

This still aged well lol what a fun experience for the whole family! $1 movies was a great idea

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/22

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matthias s

**Casper - 3.5 Stars** Rewatching *Casper* feels like stepping back into my childhood. This 90s gem is packed with nostalgia, featuring a stellar cast led by Christina Ricci (who I had a huge crush on back then) and unforgettable cameos that bring humor and charm. The set designs are fantastic, immersing you in a spooky but inviting world. Surprisingly, the effects still hold up, and the chemistry between Casper and Kat is incredibly touching, bringing an unexpectedly heartbreaking depth to the story. The film explores adult themes with humor and heart, making it enjoyable for all ages. The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack adds a layer of magic, especially in that emotional ending—which still leaves me with chills and teary eyes. *Casper* is a classic Halloween film that's as funny as it is moving, and every rewatch reminds me why it’s stood the test of time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Jonathan O

Really amazing to bring ghost to life by life I'm taking about from the original cartoon into a live action family friendly film and is really fun spooky live action but the story is quite dark and it may questions to family about after life after seeing Casper and the special effects looks amazing and really surprising scenes and solid cast.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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Mach 1 P

Classic holloween movie. Of course if you didnt see it in the 90s and hold it up to todays standards you might not like it. But as a kid this movie was great back when you didnt have a smart phone distracting you contantly.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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KerryWhite's S

6/10. 69/100. | As a Kid: 7/10. 71/100

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/16/24

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Julian S

While the story may be minimal, the film is full of charm and surprisingly addresses themes of grief in a way that is both poignant and impactful for a children’s movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

Full Review

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Brad Silberling

Director

Christina Ricci

Kathleen 'Kat' Harvey

Bill Pullman

Dr. James Harvey

Cathy Moriarty

Carrigan Crittenden

Eric Idle

Paul 'Dibbs' Plutzker

Malachi Pearson

Casper (McFadden)

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Synopsis

Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson) is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey (Bill Pullman) arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state, but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics.

Director: Brad Silberling
Producer: Colin Wilson
Screenwriter: Sherri Stoner, Deanna Oliver
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 26, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.3M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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