Paranormal Activity

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Paranormal Activity

R

Released Oct 16, 2009

1h 26m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

206 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Soon after moving into a suburban tract home, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) become increasingly disturbed by what appears to be a supernatural presence. Hoping to capture evidence of it on film, they set up video cameras in the house but are not prepared for the terrifying events that follow.

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Critics Consensus

Using its low-budget effects and mockumentary method to great result, Paranormal Activity turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense.

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Julie and Brandy

Autostraddle

it was awesome in the way that it was extremely, horrendously and torturously stressful... worth it.

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

[Paranormal Activity] is way more scary than Blair Witch because it takes the old conceit of things that go bump into the night, and brings it slyly into a well-to-do, middle class suburb.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This is a scarily well-made scary little film, although it certainly isn't flawless... But the acting is supremely naturalistic and, for such a small-scale project, it does have an amazingly heightened effect.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Emilie Black

JoBlo's Movie Network

The cast is solid, the directing is great, the set-up works, the scares are built up just right.

Dec 14, 2023

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Its strengths come in its subtlety, it's a roller-coaster ride that audiences buy into knowing full well that the narrative will take a backseat to being frightened with effective jump-scares.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Like a rollercoaster, it’s a temporary buzz that fades as soon as the ride is over.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

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Aidan B

Terrifying, thrilling, and absolutely iconic, "Paranormal Activity" stands as one of the most influential horror movies of all time and a perfect watch for anyone looking for a bone-chilling ride.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Larry K

Actually scary. Legit got goosebumps

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Kevin K

This was maybe the most enjoyable experience to see in a crowded theater of people on edge for the next creeptacular element to make everyone go "OH NO"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Mathias F

This movie made me angry. It was all hype, little delivery. Kind of a good scare at the end but it was a snoozefest up until the climax. This could've been a short film in an anthology series and it would have worked better, but where's the money in that I guess.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

Ada M

This was one of the most painful experiences I have had watching a movie... The acting is unbelievable, and the developments are way too slow. It just becomes so dull at some point. The ending is predictable, and the two sentences explaining what happened after were just lazy. The painful part of this experience was that I just wanted the male protagonist to be killed off asap because he was one of the most annoying characters. His character even made it impossible for me to watch the movie as a laugh. Do not recommend...

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

Full Review

Rodolfo G

Oh, I already remembered why I don't like this kind of movies. I felt it very heavy, slow, and Micah created a feeling of despair, was it like this bato again? Anyway, I didn't feel anything with the movie, it has no emotions, or unexpected twists. They always try it, "based on real events" but it rarely works.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

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Oren Peli

Director

Katie Featherston

Katie

Micah Sloat

Micah

Amber Armstrong

Amber

Mark Fredrichs

Psychic

Ashley Palmer

Girl on Internet

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - We Need Your Help

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - Powder Footsteps

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - How Did She Die?

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - Dragged Out of Bed

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - I Feel it Breathing on Me

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - The Sheets Move

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - Slamming the Door

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - Paranormal Ending

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Paranormal Activity: Official Clip - Ouija Board on Fire

2:11

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Synopsis

Soon after moving into a suburban tract home, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) become increasingly disturbed by what appears to be a supernatural presence. Hoping to capture evidence of it on film, they set up video cameras in the house but are not prepared for the terrifying events that follow.

Director: Oren Peli
Producer: Jason Blum, Oren Peli
Screenwriter: Oren Peli
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Blumhouse
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.9M
Runtime: 1h 26m

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