Poltergeist

4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (396 customer reviews)
Steve Freeling moves his family into a new house in development and it looks like things are going well. But as his wife and his children begin to unpack strange things start happening.
  • Starring: Jobeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson
  • Directed by: Tobe Hooper
  • Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Release year: 1982
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
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Poltergeist

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Poltergeist [Blu-ray]
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Product Details
Synopsis: Steve Freeling moves his family into a new house in development and it looks like things are going well. But as his wife and his children begin to unpack strange things start happening.
Starring: Jobeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson
Supporting actors: Beatrice Straight
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 1982
Studio: Warner Bros.
ASIN: B00471TLZS
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period. Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: June 04, 1982
  • Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), SLM Production Group
  • Filming Locations: 4267 Roxbury Street, Forest Hills, Simi Valley, California, USA | Calabria Drive, Agoura Hills, California, USA | Calmfield Avenue, Agoura Hills, California, USA | Gleam Court, Agoura Hills, California, USA | Holiday Inn, Thousand Oaks, California, USA

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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
(396)
4.4 out of 5 stars
See all 396 customer reviews
“ Very original story and great special effects for its time. ” "movie_freak"  |  99 reviewers made a similar statement
“ In that movie, Poltergeist, you wont see things like that. ” Shannon Kapp  |  50 reviewers made a similar statement
“ POLTERGEIST is one of the best horror films ever made, period. ” Marcus Damanda  |  53 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 60 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Time To Scare Up A Deluxe Special Edition DVD! September 25, 2006
By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Now that DVDs are way down in price, I've ended up with literally thousands--I think. I have a tendency to resist the earlier releases, the ones that are obviously "cheapies" with no special features--I know that better editions are just around the bend for most films! But I recently had to make an exception for "Poltergeist". Now I had originally seen this film in a theater on its release. I have always considered it one of the best in its genre. I've seen it a couple of times since, but probably not at all in the last ten years (and for the record--all the sequels were terrible).

What amazed me was that I still thought it was a terrific movie! Now, some people will think a couple of the effects are cheesy--and for today's standards, maybe they are. But they are so well integrated into the film that I don't think the modern viewer will mind. And I believe films are historical documents--I hate that George Lucas, for example, has corrupted his films with constant CGI updates. It's as sacrilegious as colorization was!

"Poltergeist" succeeds as a great film due, in large part, to it's unrelenting suspense--but, in equal measure, it relies on us to care about the family involved. I think the movie endures because it has heart and characters to actually root for. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams are great (and believable) as the parents affected. Their love for each other and their family, and their willingness to sacrifice anything for the safety of their kids is well presented and acted. Williams, in particular, has never been better. At first, she is your typical suburban Mom--but as strange things start happening, you see her confusion, her delight, her fear, her horror, her desperation and her heroic side. It's a very nice underrated performance.... Read more ›
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57 of 67 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Horror Movie - Spielberg Style! November 2, 2004
By Mark J. Fowler VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Every since "Poltergeist" was released there has been debate about who influenced the final result more, Director Tobe Hooper or Producer Steven Spielberg. I personally think the answer can be discovered by comparing Poltergeist to their previous works: I ask you, is it closer in style to "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" or "Raiders of the Lost Ark"?

All that aside, "Poltergeist" is a rippin' good ghost story. Craig T. Nelson and Jobeth Williams play the parents of a family that unfortunately lives in one wicked suburbia haunted house. The movie develops slowly, giving us time to care about this family. Mr. Nelson and Ms. Williams are dream parents - cool, funny, smart and devoted to the family and each other.

The kids are pretty typical movie kids and their performances don't detract.

Initially, there are just a few unusual and creepy goings-on. Chairs move by themselves. The youngest daughter, played by young Heather O'Rourke, makes out voices that come through the television late at night after everyone else has gone to sleep.

At about the midway point of the film the owners of the "voices" start some serious shenanigans in the house and in the confusion, take little Carol Anne hostage. You're on the edge of your seat the rest of the movie.

Some academic ghost-buster types move in and set up cameras and recorders. Next thing you know, weird things are happening to them as well.

Made before the CGI age, "Poltergeist" nonetheless has some impressive special effects. The story tries to get under your skin. It doesn't just pick one thing to be scared of. There is no 25 foot shark or machete-wielding madman. Instead it succeeds over and over again at creeping you out at everyday objects.... Read more ›
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101 of 123 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware October 12, 2007
By Edward Aycock
Format:DVD
This is one of my favorite movies, and I've reviewed the earlier DVD issue elsewhere. My review this time is purely for the new DVD reissue which is one of the biggest disappointments I've come across. Let's start with this "25th Anniversary." The only mention of the anniversary is a haphazardly placed sticker on the outer sleeve. The fact that it was just slapped onto the box gives the buyer an idea of how much thought went into this new DVD.

Then there are the extras. A documentary about true-life hauntings. Okay, that's not bad. But wait - where's the original trailer for the film that was on the earlier DVD? It's been removed. Did the trailer get sucked into Carol Anne's closet and is being held captive by the Beast? What purpose did removing the trailer serve?

This is a pointless release. My advice is to hang onto the earlier release which is anamorphic AND has the trailer and skip this one; there will be another, hopefully better, release someday. Warner Brothers should be ashamed.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Poltergeist on blu-ray November 23, 2008
By E. OMalley
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Poltergeist" is one of my favorite horror pictures and I just introduced my 18-yr-old niece to the film with this blu-ray edition. She found it very scary and was stunned it was only rated PG (considering the year it was released). The picture and audio quality of this edition are both wonderful but, as noted by other reviewers, there are no real extras. Because of all the behind-the-scenes drama I have a feeling it will be a very long time before we see an edition which includes some really meaty extras. The book was nice, and had a few facts I wasn't aware of (the change from an "R" rating and the use of real skeletons on set...eww!)

Be aware, however, that like all previous versions the really severe edit between the family kitchen and the neighbor's house is still there - I don't think there can be a clean copy anywhere in Hollywood if this is still going on. I know it supposedly has something to do with Pizza Hut being dissed in the scene, but since it was one line I really think they could've muffled it and kept the complete scene instead of cutting a big chunk.

This is a classic, highly entertaining horror movie and well worth watching again. If you have an older version of the dvd (or even the vhs tape), now is a good time to upgrade it to blu-ray.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Always a great movie to watch
I bought this because a) I needed to own it and b) I was showing it to a friend who has been very sheltered and never got around to watching even the classic horror movies. Read more
Published 11 hours ago by Eva Cristina
5.0 out of 5 stars a classic
a very good movie. It had amazing special effects when it was new and they are still good today. My kids were scared to go to sleep.
Published 2 days ago by cngodfather
4.0 out of 5 stars Classic
I like it and the special effects are good for when it was made. Interesting premise. One of the first horror films based on a Poltergeist. Read more
Published 2 days ago by meganajjcec
5.0 out of 5 stars Horror Classic...
Look up critic sites regarding the movie review itself. This is one movie worth seeing in HD. The kids will be scared but not absolutely, with the crazy stuff out now. Read more
Published 5 days ago by neil whisler
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
this movie is the best! it is great for kids 10 and up!This movie is the best movie i have ever seen!!
Published 10 days ago by yfcgdjgjg
4.0 out of 5 stars Great 80s horror flick
Great movie for its time, it definitely set the stage for what we now watch today. It is the founding father of ask paranormal movies
Published 11 days ago by Jeanine C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Classic
I loved this movie when I was a kid and still do! A classic supernatural tale that deals with family sticking together and the love they have for one another.
Published 11 days ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars Great classic movie
This has always been a favorite of mine. The movie has a bunch of one liners, that are still used today. "They're here"
Published 14 days ago by G. Goldhagen
4.0 out of 5 stars If you want your paranormal activity, watch this!
I missed Poltergeist in the movie theater. Too many other movies I was watching I suppose. But when it hit cable the first night I was hooked. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Kenny Cross
5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE GREAT MOVIES!
This movies was one of the all time greats, as far as an "oldie." It is scary, yet not gory, and intriguing. I loved this movie!!
Published 18 days ago by ladyguin
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