Paranormal Activity 3

Name: Paranormal Activity 3
Genre: Horror
Released: October 21, 2011
Duration: 83 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Chloe Csengery, Christopher Nicholas Smith, Jessica Tyler Brown, Katie Featherston

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 305 Ratings

See All

6.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.1	Your Score
6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 305 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Paranormal Activity 3

Now Playing: Paranormal Activity 3

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: October 21, 2011 | R

Starring: Chloe Csengery, Christopher Nicholas Smith, Jessica Tyler Brown, Katie Featherston

Summary: The third installment of the Paranormal Activity follows Katie and Kristi in the 80s during their first encounter with the evil kind.

Director: Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 83 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

Oct 19, 2011

The bottom line, for me, is this: I don't scare easily at horror films, but I watched Paranormal Activity 3 in a state of high anxiety. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Oct 20, 2011

The filmmakers throw in a few cheesy scares: mom in a monster mask, a baby sitter jumping in front of a camera. But the rest is pretty freaking cool. Read full review

Ty Burr

Oct 20, 2011

Co-directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman cut their teeth on 2010's glib social-media mystery "Catfish,'' and since they're clever boys, they make the most of the series' new toy. Otherwise, Paranormal Activity 3 is almost identical to, and just as eerily effective as, the first two films in its alternation of cheesy "boo!'' tactics and genuine scares. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Oct 20, 2011

Paranormal Activity 3 delivers similarly eerie moments, though long stretches go by where nothing truly ominous occurs. Read full review

Peter Travers

Oct 21, 2011

I fully expect Paranormal Activity 3 to be box office gold. But it's barely worth two stars, let alone two cents. As for future followups, I offer this plea: STOP! Read full review

Roger Moore

Oct 19, 2011

This Paranormal doesn't tamper with the formula that worked in the first two films. It lacks the "money" moments that those films delivered and ends with a finale that is downright conventional. "Paranormal" reveals itself for what it has become, the "Saw" of found video thrillers. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Oct 20, 2011

Inexplicably, there are people who still haven't had enough of these movies. The first was a nifty novelty. Now the appeal has worn threadbare. Read full review

SEE ALL 25 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

bradfordlee

Oct 22, 2011

I am a long time fan of horror/thriller movies and books, tending to lean towards the **** ideals, but not discounting slasher films. I'll not drone on about camera technique, nor the type of medium used,(tho I will say the acting and direction of the two lil starlets in this piece was greatI am a long time fan of horror/thriller movies and books, tending to lean towards the **** ideals, but not discounting slasher films. I'll not drone on about camera technique, nor the type of medium used,(tho I will say the acting and direction of the two lil starlets in this piece was great :-D ). As most know this story chronicles the "other worldly" lives of two sisters but in reverse, the latest film being them as children. I did enjoy the first two,seeing them on DVD, but was hesitant to spend money at a large theater filled with whispers and cell phones when in a couple months I could watch it for half the price in the comfort of my home.My niece , however, also a fan of the scream screen, was desperate to the point of, "I'll die if i can't see it opening night at midnight!!", and it being R rated...I couldn't give her money and toss her at the mall while pausing in front of the doors, and go to Applebee's for a couple **** while I waited. So, being the dutiful Uncle I am, I grudgingly relaxed a little after work and grumbled up to the theater so she could see the premier. Once seated in the theater, the previews included a trailer of a P.A. (Paranormal Activity) type movie involving a mental hospital and exorcisms with some very good special affects were played, adding to the normal tension associated with horror flicks in the the theater. The film began with no hoopla or credits, it was just there and playing. I could feel the anxiey n the place rise like a presence to a point where allmost all "surprise" in the film caused shrieks and giggles and I was bored already, but very soon...I developed a wickid lil grin. This was the best of the three, the screams from the audience were nearly defening and even young men were clenching so fast they came out of their seats and trashed anybravado they had shown coming in, while I was trying hard to watch the entire screen so I wouldn't miss any of the lil "creepys" that popped up. My 12 year old niece in the mean time went from a state of interest, to fasination, to mild fear up to an occation "freak-out", (baring in mind she' a BIG fan of "the Grudge" tp the point of knowing all the characters and watching the japanese version "Ju-on" as well as "The Ring" and the "Saws" franchise)but thats the point of going to these things in the first place. I was her age when the original "exorcist" came out and, like her, I was looking in the shadows and searched every room when I got homeand even having the light on was only minor comfort,( noooo Im NOT mean...she wants to see it again by the way) Long story short, ( to late),this is a must see film worth admissionlike a good roller coaster it should make you walk out going "HOLY CRAP" or it's just another day. ;-P......P.S. I don't like the way this format does corrections… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

RandomGamer

Jan 29, 2012

Truthfully I don't understand how to define a 'Horror film'. Almost every single one of the rest of these horror films want to scare you maybe not with suspense but with blood, violence, and gore. Paranormal Activity shows a completely different side of what Hollywood can define a horrorTruthfully I don't understand how to define a 'Horror film'. Almost every single one of the rest of these horror films want to scare you maybe not with suspense but with blood, violence, and gore. Paranormal Activity shows a completely different side of what Hollywood can define a horror film. Maybe not the best of the three, but that's not say it was a bad, in fact it was a terrific movie. Luckily I saw the PA2, because if not, I would have no clue as to what was haunting the place. Towards the end, you can kinda infer what it really is but the story pays almost no attention as what is really going on. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining. In fact, this is my favorite horror movie series. An 8 is great, I loved this movie along with the other 2.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Super8mm

Dec 13, 2011

I saw this movie with my friend oppening weekend, i'm a big fan of the PA movies and love all of them, this one on the other hand was the best of the 3. It had amazing camera angles, and scares that will haunt me to this day. I was whimpering the whole time. At the end of the movie, whichI saw this movie with my friend oppening weekend, i'm a big fan of the PA movies and love all of them, this one on the other hand was the best of the 3. It had amazing camera angles, and scares that will haunt me to this day. I was whimpering the whole time. At the end of the movie, which will haunt me for the rest of my life, my friend and I through our slusshies and ran out of the theater. Bottom line, Scary.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

CincinnatiDave

Nov 5, 2011

I'm really not sure what came over me, but I decided to go see this movie...I HATE horror and scary movies...HATE them! I just don't get why anyone "likes" to see them. With that said, I paid, I sat in the theatre with my fingers partially covering my eyes (as if that would help ease theI'm really not sure what came over me, but I decided to go see this movie...I HATE horror and scary movies...HATE them! I just don't get why anyone "likes" to see them. With that said, I paid, I sat in the theatre with my fingers partially covering my eyes (as if that would help ease the pain), I had the &%*#@^ scared out of me, and I REALLY enjoyed the movie!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MarcDoyle

Oct 21, 2011

Before I get to the substance of my review, I have to describe a fairly shocking incident that occurred in my theater just a little while ago - the first Thursday night, 10pm showing in Santa Monica. And this no B.S. About 30 minutes into the film, just after the subtitles read "Night 13",Before I get to the substance of my review, I have to describe a fairly shocking incident that occurred in my theater just a little while ago - the first Thursday night, 10pm showing in Santa Monica. And this no B.S. About 30 minutes into the film, just after the subtitles read "Night 13", a young guy sitting 2 rows in front of me started groaning/yelling. He was in a group of six - looked like a triple date - and they had been fairly squirrely up to that point, so I assumed he was just playing up the tension as people are prone to do in horror movies - testing each other and themselves. I suppose it's easier to laugh than to give in to the fear. Turns out it was the onset of a full-blown seizure. People started bounding over rows to help the guy brace himself and the lights came up - he didn't stop shaking for about a minute. He apparently had no history of seizures - which is what he told the firemen after he came to. His friends were blown away, and the packed out theater couldn't believe it. Could the tension from the film have caused or contribute to it? I have no idea. The firemen were asking a lot of questions about drug use - the friends were confident in ruling it out. (Personally, he didn't seem like the type, but what do I know?) It made the rest of the film a little creepier knowing it could have a physical effect on someone... So after a 20 minute break in the action, they started the film again (and gave us all free tickets for another show). There was some good-natured daring of each other to sit in that kid's seat for the rest of the movie - no takers. So, was the movie as good as the first two? I'd say no, but it certainly was able to construct an entirely new sort of tension. The late-80s VHS feel to the thing was refreshing My heart was racing for most of the last 15 minutes or so. I'd give the "experience" of the evening about a 9, but the movie? About a 6.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

worleyjamers

Dec 7, 2012

I liked it! I haven't seen the previous films of the trilogy so I don't know how well it fit with the other films, but I thought it was well done and had many genuine scary moments. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time...I recommend it if you're a fan of scary movies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SamHBS

Nov 3, 2011

Mais do mesmo, nada de novo, cenas de susto que jÃ¡ sabemos a hora (tudo parado, alguma coisa vai na tela com barulho), roteiro idiota, final sem sentido. Enfim, LIXO.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SEE ALL 88 REVIEWS