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Poltergeist | Rotten Tomatoes

️Wed Apr 01 2009

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Critics Consensus

Smartly filmed, tightly scripted, and -- most importantly -- consistently frightening, Poltergeist is a modern horror classic.

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Wendy Ide Times (UK) ... A masterclass in creeping suburban horror. Oct 23, 2023 Full Review Kevin Maher Times (UK) One of the great anti-TV movies, alongside Network and The Truman Show. Rated: 4/5 Oct 21, 2022 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian The keynote of the film is O’Rourke’s eerie, ethereally pale face, illuminated by the unearthly light of the haunted TV. Rated: 5/5 Oct 21, 2022 Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee Made around the same time Spielberg was shooting 'E.T. The Extraterrestrial' — the two films were released a week apart that summer — and in many ways it can be seen as that humane masterpiece’s sicko B-side. Nov 2, 2023 Full Review Jenn Adams Bloody Disgusting Though often remembered for its ominous catch phrase, “They’re here…”, its evil clown, and its gruesome conclusion, Poltergeist is a film brimming with strong female characters. Rated: A Feb 18, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Tobe Hooper does a great job of creating a sense of suburban normalcy and playful family dynamics. Plus he delivers some really creepy scenes. Oct 29, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Fred Man, this is a GOOD movie. Nowadays I only hope for solidly mediocre. No boring parts. Great character development. Freely, but not too gory, we'll except for one dream sequence where a guy tears his own face off. Very California 1980s growing up - R.C. Cars, T.V. remotes new technology, Televisions going off air at night after the National Anthem, etc Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/24 Full Review geminielsy One of the best movies it still gave me the chills. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/24 Full Review jessie Classic 🤌🏽 not too spooky 👍🏽 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/18/22 Full Review Esra Y Although it's a goofy, fun watch through today's lenses, i can imagine how scary it must've been for folks in 80s. It's a creative, witty movie. You can also count how many scenes and ideas were "inspiring" for Duffer brothers Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/15/25 Full Review Javier M Poltergeist is a masterpiece. How many pictures can get your attention in 3'30? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/08/25 Full Review james s I still have nightmares. Greatest horror flick of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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Poltergeist (1982) View more photos

Synopsis Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family, the Freelings -- Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), teenaged Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Ann (Heather O'Rourke) -- when ghosts commune with them through the television set. Initially friendly and playful, the spirits turn unexpectedly menacing, and, when Carol Ann goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist for help.

Director

Tobe Hooper

Producer

Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg

Screenwriter

Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, Mark Victor

Distributor

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Production Co

Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Rating

Genre

Horror, Mystery & Thriller

Original Language

English

Release Date (Theaters)

Jun 4, 1982, Original

Release Date (Streaming)

Apr 1, 2009

Box Office (Gross USA)

$121.8M

Runtime

1h 54m

Sound Mix

Surround, Stereo, Dolby

Aspect Ratio

Scope (2.35:1)