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 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 175 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 175 Ratings

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Poltergeist

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Movie Details & Credits

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

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

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

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

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

Steven1981

Mar 20, 2020

This is the original and best Poltergeist movie in the series, avoid the sequels and the remake... Tobe Hooper gives us a huge slice of terror in this 1982 original film called Poltergeist involving a little 4-5 year old girl who's trapped in another world or dimension and sits or standsThis is the original and best Poltergeist movie in the series, avoid the sequels and the remake... Tobe Hooper gives us a huge slice of terror in this 1982 original film called Poltergeist involving a little 4-5 year old girl who's trapped in another world or dimension and sits or stands Infront of a television screen with no picture for too long. An evil force grips the Freelings home and this is the ultimate ride in supernatural horror and one of the best in it's genre. Starring Craig T. Nelson, Heather O'Rourke, Jobeth Williams and many others... Poltergeist to me isn't a scary movie but it's pinpoint precision on terror and suspense and it's made with care and attention to detail. It would probably scare kids though and is certainly scary compared to the sequels and remake lol. One of the greatest horror films ever made I'd say Poltergeist certainly delivers!… 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

schizoidnight

May 23, 2020

I first saw this movie when I was little (much younger than 13) and was somewhat mentally scarred by it for a while... My mother instantly regretted having me see the movie, even though we watched it together... She had forgotten how terrifying it is, I forgive her.

As an adult, watchingI first saw this movie when I was little (much younger than 13) and was somewhat mentally scarred by it for a while... My mother instantly regretted having me see the movie, even though we watched it together... She had forgotten how terrifying it is, I forgive her.

As an adult, watching this again, I am reminded and terrifyingly surprised just how scary it is.

In the beginning, the movie begins as a somewhat satirical overlook of cookie-cutter "McMansion" American suburban life. The father of the story's family is depicted as a stereotypical simple-minded middle-aged and middle-upper class American male, pregnant with the trademark "beer belly."

As the events unfold however, Steven Spielberg's writing, along with the rest of the production, shine through... With horrifying special effects, sound design, and nightmarish imagery make this film unforgettable and captivatingly sublime. The cast performs well and suits their characters near perfectly.

The end result is a masterclass surrealist horror that is by far one of the best, if not the best, ghost movies ever made.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Jun 20, 2015

Legendary imagery meets a stellar cast in Steven Spielberg/Tobe Hooper's "Poltergeist," a terrifying testament to the fear of the unknown with an oddly brilliant tinge of wonderment throughout.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bradens584

Apr 4, 2020

Steven Spielberg produces this Tobe Hooper directed horror classic. Whereas other 80s horror films are constricted by low budgets, Poltergeist has as much money behind it as any other Spielberg film. It also has a surprising amount of Spielberg-esque heart for a horror film. Another thingSteven Spielberg produces this Tobe Hooper directed horror classic. Whereas other 80s horror films are constricted by low budgets, Poltergeist has as much money behind it as any other Spielberg film. It also has a surprising amount of Spielberg-esque heart for a horror film. Another thing the film does is use its giant budget to bring some pretty insane visuals to life. That alone makes it worth watching, along with a creepy performance by Heather O’Rourke.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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

markymark

Nov 13, 2021

Finally got around to watching this after many years. Wow. How is it considered a classic of the genre? Poltergeist is a laughable, over-the-top mess. Worst of all, it isn't in anyway scary. Seriously, the last third felt like a poorly written Indiana Jones rip-off with skeletons jumping upFinally got around to watching this after many years. Wow. How is it considered a classic of the genre? Poltergeist is a laughable, over-the-top mess. Worst of all, it isn't in anyway scary. Seriously, the last third felt like a poorly written Indiana Jones rip-off with skeletons jumping up everywhere. What a load of crap.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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