Poltergeist

Name: Poltergeist
Genre: Horror
Released: June 4, 1982
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Heather O'Rourke, JoBeth Williams

1982

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 131 Ratings

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 131 Ratings

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Poltergeist

Movie Details & Credits

MGM/UA Entertainment Company | Release Date: June 4, 1982

Starring: Heather O'Rourke, JoBeth Williams

Summary: Steven and Diane Freeling's (Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams) quiet suburban life is disturbed when ghosts kidnap their youngest daughter, Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke).

Director: Tobe Hooper

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

The A.V. Club Scott Tobias

Make no mistake: Poltergeist is a Spielberg film, no matter what the credits say. His stylistic fingerprints are all over the movie, never more so than in the opening third, which turns a suburban haunting into an occasion for Spielbergian movie magic before the ghosts get down to business. Read full review

Richard Corliss

At first and final glance, Poltergeist is simply a riveting demonstration of the movies' power to scare the sophistication out of any viewer. It creates honest thrills within the confines of a P.G. rating and reaches for standard shock effects and the forced suspension of disbelief only at the climax, when we realize that the characters are behaving with such obtuseness precisely because they are trapped inside a horror movie. Read full review

Miami Herald Bill Cosford

Poltergiest is no nonstop scream express; at times it pulls its punches (Spielberg wants that PG rating), and at times its effects are bigger than life and less than terrifying. But like Spielberg's Jaws, which was a perfect genre movie, Poltergeist does what it's supposed to do about as well as it can be done. Read full review

Rita Kempley

Poltergeist proves closets are full of skeletons and scurrying ids. Hooper and company arouse childhood fears, teasing away adult defenses, making us hunker in our seats as the kids dive under the "Star Wars" sheets. It gives us the jeebies, third stage, without letting up, but spiritually, it's uplifting. [4 June 1982, p.13]

Empire Kim Newman

A surprisingly yet successfully restrained lesson in how to haunt a house. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Poltergeist is an effective thriller, not so much because of the special effects, as because Hooper and Spielberg have tried to see the movie's strange events through the eyes of the family members, instead of just standing back and letting the special effects overwhelm the cast along with the audience. Read full review

Variety Staff [Not Credited]

Given the talents, Poltergeist is an annoying film because it could have been so much better. Read full review

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Sep 28, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Poltergeist is without a doubt one of the great 80's classics, not only in horror, but in all genres. I loved almost every second of it. It had some great scary scenes and an awesome score. The movie allowed its audience to really identify and sympathize with the Freelings because of all the character development, and that's what makes this movie stand out from all the other supernatural flicks of its time.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MasterRiley

Nov 2, 2016

Poltergeist is amazing on so many levels. It masterfully builds suspense and delivers an intriguing story. It has great characters you'll like and root for. The plot is super interesting and continues to get better as the story progresses, finally building up to the ending which was executedPoltergeist is amazing on so many levels. It masterfully builds suspense and delivers an intriguing story. It has great characters you'll like and root for. The plot is super interesting and continues to get better as the story progresses, finally building up to the ending which was executed brilliantly. Don't miss this classic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

horcrux2007

Jun 6, 2015

Poltergeist is without a doubt one of the great 80's classics, not only in horror, but in all genres. I loved almost every second of it. It had some great scary scenes and an awesome score. The movie allowed its audience to really identify and sympathize with the Freelings because of all thePoltergeist is without a doubt one of the great 80's classics, not only in horror, but in all genres. I loved almost every second of it. It had some great scary scenes and an awesome score. The movie allowed its audience to really identify and sympathize with the Freelings because of all the character development, and that's what makes this movie stand out from all the other supernatural flicks of its time.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Spangle

Nov 14, 2015

Some of the special effects are beginning to look dated, but all the same, Poltergeist remains a horror classic. Thanks to great music and the classic Spielberg touch, this one is all together fun, magical, and downright terrifying. The backstory, pacing, and the way in which the scares areSome of the special effects are beginning to look dated, but all the same, Poltergeist remains a horror classic. Thanks to great music and the classic Spielberg touch, this one is all together fun, magical, and downright terrifying. The backstory, pacing, and the way in which the scares are created, are all great and interesting. What I also enjoyed is the curiosity surrounding the poltergeists in the home that the family has before things start to get scary. This one can get a little silly at times for sure, but is brilliant all the same and though the ending is odd as all get out, it remains scary. The acting is also quite good for a horror film and as mentioned before, the score is very good. Overall, Poltergeist is a classic of the genre.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Yamorimlo

Aug 2, 2015

This is one of the only horror movies (maybe the only) that has genuinely creeped me out and make me scared, and I'm easily scared. The cast does a good job, and although there are some holes in the plot (glaring second time through), the movie makes up for it in terms of scare-factor.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ydnar4

Jun 16, 2015

Poltergeist does not quite hold up like most of Steven Spielberg films have over the years but it still is a strong horror film. I understand why there was an urge to remake the film for modern times. Spielberg is not credited as director but it is believed that Spielberg had a heavyPoltergeist does not quite hold up like most of Steven Spielberg films have over the years but it still is a strong horror film. I understand why there was an urge to remake the film for modern times. Spielberg is not credited as director but it is believed that Spielberg had a heavy influence on the film and I imagine he had a big impact on the direction of the film despite Tobe Hooper's (the director of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre) credit as director. This film really worked as a thriller throughout but it is in the end that the film that the horror really picks up. This film is considered a classic horror film and if you enjoy horror and have yet to see it Poltergeist will likely be worth your time.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

raporgi

Mar 16, 2016

not scary more of a really really noisy movie. dont see what all the fuss was/is about. couldnt get into it even back in the day when it came out originally. the kids are frickin annoying. the investigators include a token black dude and serve just a a device to dump an @$$load of info onnot scary more of a really really noisy movie. dont see what all the fuss was/is about. couldnt get into it even back in the day when it came out originally. the kids are frickin annoying. the investigators include a token black dude and serve just a a device to dump an @$$load of info on the viewer's head. there's no creep factor and subtlety to this just heavy handed effects by Tobe Hooper and Spielberg.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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