IMDb > Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist
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Poltergeist (1982) More at IMDbPro »

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Poltergeist (1982) -- A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts.
Poltergeist (1982) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   29,901 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 36% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Steven Spielberg (story)
Steven Spielberg (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Poltergeist on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 June 1982 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
They're here. more
Plot:
A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
They're Here. more (241 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The swirling, flickering lights coming from the closet during the rescue scene were achieved using a very simple effect by having an aquarium full of water in front of a spotlight. Then a fan blew on the surface of the water to make it swirl. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The family is loaded into the car at the end of the movie, and the dog gets into the front seat. The dog then disappears while Steven frantically obtains his keys, and reappears back in the seat in the next shot as Steven climbs into the car. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Carol Anne: Hello? What do you look like? Talk louder, I can't hear you! Hey, hello! Hello, I can't hear you! Five. Yes. Yes. I don't know. I don't know.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The Star-Spangled Banner more

FAQ

What is the light?
I've read that this movie is cursed. What's that all about?
What's up with that bad edit right before the Freelings show up at the next-door neighbors' house?
more
21 out of 28 people found the following comment useful.
They're Here., 15 March 2002
Author: tfrizzell from United States

Truly spooky and disturbing horror film from the early-1980s that will make you jump from your seat. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams seem to lead a normal life. He is a successful real estate agent and she is a loving housewife. They have three beautiful children, but one night all that slowly changes. The youngest child (Heather O'Rourke) starts talking to unseen spirits through a scrambled television station. The parents don't think much of it, until furniture starts to move on its own. However, the real terror does not start until O'Rourke is taken to another dimension by "the TV people". Now paranormalists led by Beatrice Straight must come in and try to get O'Rourke back to her family. Tobe Hooper, who is best known for the highly over-rated "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", does an admirable job here with the film's direction. However, it is rumored that Steven Spielberg came in during his "E.T" days and did the bulk of the work. This makes more sense as the film is really frightening and disturbing. The special effects are also impressive and "Poltergeist" ends up being one of those films that just sticks with you for a long time after you first see it. 4 stars out of 5.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Actual skeletons? lil_missy12003
Horror/Comedy the proper genre? skatingbach
Dana's neck jimmybeverage
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Poltergeist delayed until 2011. james362001
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