Poltergeist

Watch Poltergeist

  • PG
  • 1982
  • 1 hr 54 min
  • 7.3  (178,094)
  • 79

Poltergeist is a horror movie released in 1982, directed by Tobe Hooper, and produced by Steven Spielberg. The movie follows the Freeling family - Steve, Diane, Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne - who live in a seemingly idyllic suburban neighborhood. Mysterious events begin to occur in their house, first with strange noises and objects moving on their own. However, the events quickly escalate to full-blown supernatural occurrences, with Carol Anne's bedroom being sucked into another dimension and her getting trapped between worlds.

The Freeling family becomes increasingly scared and desperate for answers as things escalate, and they turn to paranormal experts for help. One of the experts, Tangina Barrons, declares that Carol Anne is being held captive by malevolent spirits, and they must work together to rescue her. As they continue investigating, they discover that the house was built on an ancient Native American burial ground, and this is why it's experiencing such intense supernatural activity.

The movie is filled with terrifying scenes, from Carol Anne's interactions with the spirits to the infamous clown doll that comes to life and tries to strangle Robbie. The special effects were impressive, especially for the time, and the use of practical effects instead of computer-generated ones helps the horror feel more immediate and real.

However, what really sets Poltergeist apart from other horror movies is its focus on the Freeling family. Rather than a group of disposable characters who are simply there to be killed off, we actually care about the Freelings and want to see them make it through. JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson both deliver strong performances as the parents who are struggling to keep their family together amidst the chaos. Heather O'Rourke is also impressive as Carol Anne, delivering a performance that's both innocent and unsettling.

The movie also features some surprisingly touching moments, such as when Steve and Diane smoke a joint and reminisce about their past, or when Steve delivers a heartfelt monologue about how much he loves his family.

Overall, Poltergeist is a classic horror movie that still holds up today. It's a perfect blend of scares and humanity, and it's easy to see why it's become such a beloved classic over the years. If you're a fan of horror movies and somehow haven't seen Poltergeist yet, you're in for a treat.

Poltergeist is a 1982 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 79.

Poltergeist
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Where to Watch Poltergeist
Poltergeist is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Poltergeist for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1982
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 54 min
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (178,094)
  • Metascore
    79