The Sixth Sense

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The Sixth Sense

PG-13

Released Aug 6, 1999

1h 47m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

86%

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167 Reviews

90%

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250,000+ Ratings

Young Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is haunted by a dark secret: he is visited by ghosts. Cole is frightened by visitations from those with unresolved problems who appear from the shadows. He is too afraid to tell anyone about his anguish, except child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis). As Dr. Crowe tries to uncover the truth about Cole's supernatural abilities, the consequences for client and therapist are a jolt that awakens them both to something unexplainable.

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Critics Consensus

M Night Shayamalan's The Sixth Sense is a twisty ghost story with all the style of a classical Hollywood picture, but all the chills of a modern horror flick.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

A film that left an indelible footprint on the popular culture, a film that remains one of my favorite titles of the 1990s in any genre...

Aug 9, 2024

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Joshua Rothkopf

In These Times

At root, his films are patient vindications of crazy faiths, of ghosts and comic book heroes. Loneliness is his theme, and when blessed with courageous performers, as in The Sixth Sense, he can take us just about anywhere.

Mar 16, 2020

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Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

You leave slightly asquirm. You know it will linger. It becomes a clammy, chilly movie building toward a revelation that you cannot predict. As I say: I cannot tell you. You'd hate me if I did. I can only say, don't look now, but look sometime.

Oct 7, 2014

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

The film remains a strong and engaging tale, one worthy of its reputation and a rewatch. But this release is not worth the upgrade.

Oct 20, 2024

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Noah Berlatsky

Splice Today

The film’s an extended exercise in flattering the fooled viewer for being a viewer and for being fooled.

Aug 5, 2024

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William Mullally

The National (UAE)

This is popcorn cinema at its most purely empathetic – a horror film where the true horror is in not being seen, heard or understood by those around us, especially the people we love.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 3, 2024

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William B

Awesome movie. Great message... or maybe messages.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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Luke R

I've watched this many times. Absolute classic. The plot is perfect, building you up for the insane plot twist at the end. All the acting was spot on, and the soundtrack is amazing. 10/10 scary movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

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Birithivy Y

The Sixth Sense - 10/10. M. Night Shyamalan's breakthrough film catapulted him in to the big leagues of directing, and also brought a new voice into the mystery/psychological thriller genre. Revolving the story around a young boy who sees dead people, the film could have easily been a horror film or one that is a psychological drama. But more or less, this is an excellent drama first, diving into the mentality of the young boy (played amazingly by Haley Joel Osment), his mother who struggles with raising him (a fantastic performance from Toni Collette), and the psychologist that helps the young boy (a revered and surprisingly subdued performance from Bruce Willis). Its a movie that has some scary scenes here and there, but the gist of the story is propelled by the excellent tone and atmosphere brought to life by M. Night and cinematographer Tak Fujimoto. Its a dark and dreary film, mixed in with this coldness that you rarely find in PG-13 horror films. Also, you can't talk about this film without referring to the plot twist and literal red herring's that happen through out the film. Its quite an amazing feat for a young director, to establish a film full of small details that the viewer must be keen on noticing while watching. It makes for a much more attuned viewer and creates a sense of purpose to each and every scene. An excellent thriller that sparked a wave of copy cat films and inspirations. But, the original will always be the best!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

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Audience Member

This movie is genius. It is thrilling, dramatic, well acted and horrifying. Bruce Willis does an amazing job and this movie is just pure genius.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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Jake S

An instant classic. Spectacular acting unlike many others from its time. Plus a twist like no other. Top 10 movie from the 90s for sure.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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Judah H

A Must see 90’s film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

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M. Night Shyamalan

Director

Bruce Willis

Dr. Malcolm Crowe

Haley Joel Osment

Cole Sear

Toni Collette

Lynn Sear

Olivia Williams

Anna Crowe

Donnie Wahlberg

Vincent Grey

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Synopsis

Young Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is haunted by a dark secret: he is visited by ghosts. Cole is frightened by visitations from those with unresolved problems who appear from the shadows. He is too afraid to tell anyone about his anguish, except child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis). As Dr. Crowe tries to uncover the truth about Cole's supernatural abilities, the consequences for client and therapist are a jolt that awakens them both to something unexplainable.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Barry Mendel
Screenwriter: M. Night Shyamalan
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Violent Imagery|Intense Thematic Material)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $293.5M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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