Phantasm

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1:52

Phantasm

R

Released Mar 28, 1979

1h 27m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The residents of a small town have begun dying under strange circumstances, leading young Mike (Michael Baldwin) to investigate. After discovering that the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), the town's mortician, is killing and reanimating the dead as misshapen zombies, Mike seeks help from his older brother, Jody (Bill Thornbury), and local ice cream man Reggie (Reggie Bannister). Working together, they try to lure out and kill the Tall Man, all the while avoiding his minions and a deadly silver sphere.

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Critics Consensus

Phantasm: Remastered adds visual clarity to the first installment in one of horror's most enduring -- and endearingly idiosyncratic -- franchises.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It's put together rather curiously out of disjointed scenes, snatches of dialog, and brief strokes of characterization.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 28, 2023

Full Review

Perry Stewart

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

A fairly artful blending of traditional horror stuff and science-fiction.

Sep 27, 2022

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

"Phantasm" will not be remembered as a masterpiece of the horror genre, but it sustains a gauche, hokey, desperately improvisational charm.

Oct 20, 2017

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Jared Mobarak

Jaredmobarak.com

Despite any production failings... one cannot deny the effective special effects and formal structure.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 28, 2023

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a relatively promising set-up that's employed to persistently (and increasingly) underwhelming and uninvolving effect by Coscarelli...

Rated: 1/4

Jan 22, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Coscarelli utilizes a disturbingly unstable reality that borders on a world of nightmares - the perfect setting for pondering life, death, and reincarnation.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 30, 2020

Full Review

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James B

Phantasm is a great cult classic with a great premise and top notch performances.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

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Brian M

I really wanted to like this movie, as it’s got a cool concept and some pretty cool visuals. But the editing is soooo sloppy; it consistently messes up the pacing and makes things really awkward. There’s a point where people are being attacked by an unknown something in their car: the protagonist tells them to start driving but everyone just sits there, staring and silent, for what had to be a good 60 seconds. Nothing happens during that time. Such instances occur over and over again, ruining momentum and making it difficult for viewers to immerse themselves in the story. Cool concept botched by amateurish execution.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

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Nick O

Surreal mystique mixed with high speed action make this 1970’s Don Coscarelli classic one of the most unique horror flicks ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Cynthia H

This was a popular midnight movie in 1979. Well worth watching. The special effects were pretty good for being made on a thin budget. I've seen it a few times over the years. It's not horrifying or gory but there are quite a few scares along the way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Christine R

Don't know what to say about this movie...Has a very interesting story but I was not able to understand it. Filming of the movie was great.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I am not a big fan of the characters and the pacing but I do like the villain he's menacing I like the house which is cool of the tall man, not many kills 78%

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

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Don Coscarelli

Director

A. Michael Baldwin

Michael "Mike" Pearson

Bill Thornbury

Jody Pearson

Reggie Bannister

Reggie

Kathy Lester

Lady in Lavender

Terrie Kalbus

Fortune Teller's grandaughter

Phantasm: Official Clip - Boy!

1:54

Phantasm: Official Clip - Giant Monster Fly

2:16

Phantasm: Official Clip - Inter-dimensional Portal

3:15

Phantasm: Official Clip - Victory Over the Tall Man

1:49

Phantasm: Official Clip - Morgue From Hell

2:52

Phantasm: Official Clip - Who's Driving the Car?

2:18

Phantasm: Official Clip - Dwarfs in the Car

2:21

Phantasm: Official Clip - The Fortuneteller

2:33

Phantasm: Official Clip - Demon Alien Dwarf

1:17

Phantasm: Official Clip - The Tall Man

1:15

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Phantasm: Remastered: Trailer

1:52

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Synopsis

The residents of a small town have begun dying under strange circumstances, leading young Mike (Michael Baldwin) to investigate. After discovering that the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), the town's mortician, is killing and reanimating the dead as misshapen zombies, Mike seeks help from his older brother, Jody (Bill Thornbury), and local ice cream man Reggie (Reggie Bannister). Working together, they try to lure out and kill the Tall Man, all the while avoiding his minions and a deadly silver sphere.

Director: Don Coscarelli
Producer: Dac Coscarelli
Screenwriter: Don Coscarelli
Distributor: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Production Co: New Breed Productions Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 1979, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2016
Runtime: 1h 27m

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