The Frighteners

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The Frighteners

R

Released Jul 19, 1996

1h 49m

Fantasy

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Once an architect, Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife (Trini Alvarado) of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent (Jeffrey Combs).

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Critics Consensus

Boasting top-notch special effects and exuberant direction from Peter Jackson, The Frighteners is visually striking but tonally uneven.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

[Michael J.] Fox seems to be trying to get hip in the movies, and he's lost his way here.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 23, 2017

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Story was originally conceived as an episode of "Tales From the Crypt," and that is perhaps what it should have remained, as the thinness of the conceit shows throughout, painfully so in the first half.

Mar 26, 2009

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Nigel Floyd

Time Out

At times the relentless special effects and tangled plotting veer towards visual and narrative overkill, but the final tonal swerve is shocking and effective.

Jan 26, 2006

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Like a scatter gun hitting everything in sight, the movie has a maddening pace and is all over the place.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 13, 2024

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

The rare horror-comedy that is both funny and creepy, thanks to the charming cast and the inventive direction.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

Twenty-five years on and what's striking about The Frighteners is how well the effects and Jackson's tension-building have held up.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 27, 2021

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Albert R

Starts as a comedy, but turns into a true horror movie. I've of Michael J Fox's best.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/10/21

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Carlos A

I've loved this movie. Ever since I was a kid, I never understood the hate, I thought it was awesome for its time. Michael J. Fox is awesome in it. It's weird, funny and creepy at the same time. Overall it's a cool movie kinda gives off early ghostbuster vibes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

Andy B

It gradually shifts from a corny horror comedy to a darker, more serious tone which I'm fine with. The odd over-cheesy humour aside, it's a great movie. That introduction still doesn't make a lot of sense though, whichever way you look at it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

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Jerod S

Michael J Fox can't save this film from the incessant CGI ghosts and effects that didn't age well. It left me disinterested.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

Full Review

Jay H

I completely understand why a lot of people don't like this movie. I dig it, but it's not for everyone.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

Full Review

Kitty _

The frighteners is a thoroughly enjoyable ghost fest and rewatching it after so many years has made me lament the passing of Fox who plays his role so perfectly. Jake Bussy is also a thoroughly believable nut job. The story is straightforward but it works, there isn't any glaring plot holes and they don't try to pretend there is anything too deep. Give it a go if you feel like some escapism.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

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Peter Jackson

Director

Michael J. Fox

Frank Bannister

Trini Alvarado

Dr. Lucy Lynskey

Peter Dobson

Ray Lynskey

John Astin

The Judge

Jeffrey Combs

Milton Dammers

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Back from Hell

3:00

The Frighteners: Official Clip - A-Hole with an Uzi

2:15

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Death Comes for Lucy

2:38

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Frank Bannister in Action

3:29

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Sergeant Spook

1:34

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Fleeing the Reaper

3:00

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Death in the Restroom

2:04

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Psycho Killers

2:39

The Frighteners: Official Clip - African American Apparition Coalition

1:46

The Frighteners: Official Clip - Fighting Death

3:00

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Synopsis

Once an architect, Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife (Trini Alvarado) of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent (Jeffrey Combs).

Director: Peter Jackson
Producer: Jamie Selkirk, Peter Jackson
Screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: WingNut Films, Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.5M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Stereo, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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