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Poltergeist

  • 2015
  • PG-13
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
4.9/10
63K
YOUR RATING
Poltergeist (2015)
A family's suburban home is invaded by evil forces.
Play trailer1:43
16 Videos
99+ Photos
Supernatural HorrorFantasyHorrorThriller

A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive.A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive.A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive.

  • Director
    • Gil Kenan
  • Writers
    • David Lindsay-Abaire
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Michael Grais
  • Stars
    • Sam Rockwell
    • Rosemarie DeWitt
    • Kennedi Clements
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.9/10
    63K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Gil Kenan
    • Writers
      • David Lindsay-Abaire
      • Steven Spielberg
      • Michael Grais
    • Stars
      • Sam Rockwell
      • Rosemarie DeWitt
      • Kennedi Clements
    • 475User reviews
    • 270Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations total

    Videos16

    International Trailer
    Trailer 1:43
    International Trailer
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:25
    Trailer #1
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:25
    Trailer #1
    Poltergeist: The Shadows (French Subtitled)
    Clip 1:05
    Poltergeist: The Shadows (French Subtitled)
    Poltergeist: The Shadows (Uk)
    Clip 1:07
    Poltergeist: The Shadows (Uk)
    Poltergeist: They're Coming
    Clip 0:51
    Poltergeist: They're Coming
    Poltergeist: Their Way Out
    Clip 0:50
    Poltergeist: Their Way Out

    Photos223

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 219
    View Poster

    Top cast18

    Edit
    Sam Rockwell
    Sam Rockwell
    • Eric Bowen
    Rosemarie DeWitt
    Rosemarie DeWitt
    • Amy Bowen
    Kennedi Clements
    Kennedi Clements
    • Madison Bowen
    Saxon Sharbino
    Saxon Sharbino
    • Kendra Bowen
    Kyle Catlett
    Kyle Catlett
    • Griffin Bowen
    Jared Harris
    Jared Harris
    • Carrigan Burke
    Jane Adams
    Jane Adams
    • Dr. Brooke Powell
    Susan Heyward
    Susan Heyward
    • Sophie
    Nicholas Braun
    Nicholas Braun
    • Boyd
    Karen Ivany
    • Mrs. Stoller
    Patrick Garrow
    Patrick Garrow
    • Mr. Stoller
    Doug MacLeod
    Doug MacLeod
    • Older Gentleman
    Eve Crawford
    • Older Woman
    L.A. Lopes
    L.A. Lopes
    • Cashier
    Soma Chhaya
    • Lauren
    • (as Soma Bhatia)
    John Stoneham Jr.
    John Stoneham Jr.
    • Angry Man
    Kathryn Greenwood
    Kathryn Greenwood
    • Realtor
    Molly Kidder
    Molly Kidder
    • Young Realtor
    • Director
      • Gil Kenan
    • Writers
      • David Lindsay-Abaire
      • Steven Spielberg
      • Michael Grais
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews475

    4.963.4K
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    Featured reviews

    3Jester222

    That boy just can't act! Poor remake.

    Poor remake. Zero real scares. Nonsensical reactions from the family. The young boy just can't act ....or was badly directed. Just widening the eyes a little and walking everywhere tentatively in slow motion steps isn't convincing anyone. He walks through most of the movie like this and it became really annoying very quickly.

    People see the most shocking things and then don't even mention it!?

    Whomever wrote the script should be ashamed of themselves. Truly terrible. Totally unbelievable characters and reactions. Plot holes and stupid dialogue.

    Watch the original.

    One plus. The 3D was great fun. (If a little forces at times) Blatant cash in that fell flat on its face.
    1Evansbee

    Time dumpster, even for horror fans

    Horror movies are my favorite, but I'm not the type of horror movie fan that will simply judge a movie on its horribly photoshopped cover or generally hold holier than thou attitudes toward technique, execution, writing, and cinematography (although I will bask in the glory of these done well), especially when it comes to remakes. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt.

    Poltergeist (2015) was no different. I had wanted to see it for quite awhile but wasn't convinced that it was a movie I needed to buy for $14.99 (thanks iTunes for your options, btw). After watching it tonight (for free, streaming online) the only two things that keep resounding in my head are "Thank you inner voice for telling me not to hit the purchase button" and "OMG. Worst. Remake. Ever." In fact, I will go as far as to say that it's probably one of the worst horror attempts I've ever seen.

    I don't need to include spoilers here. If you've seen the original, you know the story. This "remake" definitely assumes you have and gives not even a second thought to the story, nor does it even pretend it cares. It's an afterthought, at best. Actually, this whole movie seems and comes off as an afterthought. This remake was not made by someone wanting to expand upon or do any service artistically to the original. No, this is a pure, unadulterated cash grab at best. At its worst, this is a slap in the face to the horror genre for a quick buck, to fans of horror and to the original altogether.

    I won't pretend the original Poltergeist is the best horror movie ever made, it's definitely always been cheesy in its own way. Yet, it managed to make me squirm, creeped me out, and kept me entranced whethercwatching it as a child or as an adult. The original Poltergeist is everything that this film is not....

    This "remake" is sloppy, careless, poorly executed and poorly written, all while the actors struggle to pull out performances (even a talented actor like Sam Rockwell comes off disengenuous). It is lazily shot with more early 2000s-esque CGI than anyone should be asked to swallow for 2015...and is as scary as a wet dish towel.

    There are exactly two moments in this film that I was slightly taken aback, but most definitely not scared, shocked, or surprised in the least. Mostly, I laughed or shook my head in embarrassment or dismay from how awful what just happened on screen actually was. Definitely not a crowning achievement.

    Yes, the young newcomer actress is cute, and does her best...but you're not given an opportunity to care about what happens to her character or her family.

    My husband fell asleep 7 times (I counted), and afterward said "People standing around in a white sheet have been scarier and more interesting". I agree.

    Some remakes are good, most are bad, and unfortunately for Poltergeist and horror fans this trainwreck is the latter. It's a shame in a way because if it had been done well, it could have been pretty awesome.

    Watch it, or don't, just don't buy it. You'll regret it. I promise. And most of all, do not expect to be satiated, scared or impressed in the least.
    6RM851222

    Lower then average horror flick, and poor remake

    Greetings from Lithuania.

    "Poltergeist" (2015) is a poor remake of a good original movie, but it is not the worst flick on it's own. That said, "Poltergeist" (2015) is kinda nicely acted, although i didn't buy Sam Rockwell's performance - he was miscast or maybe he new this is going to be poor movie so acted just for fun, but it is clear that this wasn't his favorite job to say the least. Kinds did OK job, especially one who played Griffin, and Rosemarie DeWitt's performance was probably the best in this movie.

    As a horror movie, "Poltergeist" (2015) features tons of clichés, and there aren't true scary moments, you can see "jump scare" scenes from a mile. What i enjoyed about this movie was not the horror elements, but simply family scenes especially during first hour of this movie, but when so called "horror" starts, movie started to drag and by the end i was watching left time like each 5 min.

    Overall, "Poltergeist" (2015) isn't good, but it isn't particularly bad. If you loved the original, it is nice for seeing it once just for nostalgia, but if you are looking for a decent horror movie, this isn't the one.
    3Prismark10

    Poltergeist

    They say you should never remake a classic. The original Poltergeist from 1982 was written by Steven Spielberg who also seemed to have had a hand in how it was directed.

    The 2015 remake is a soulless movie that brings nothing new to the table except a few jump cuts.

    If it was an innovative reimagination whose reach could not exceed its grasp I might had been more forgiving.

    Sam Rockwell is an out of work father, Eric Bowen who with his wife Amy Bowen and three young kids move into a new home. The house was built in an old cemetery and the bodies were supposed to have been moved but only the headstones were.

    The youngest daughter Madison feels a presence, the spirits below the house need a guide and Madison is sucked in and disappears.

    The Bowens call on paranormal psychics Dr Brooke Powell (Jane Adams) and Carrigan Burke (Jared Harris) to get her back.

    The only thing to note is London born Jared doing an impression of his Irish father Richard Harris.
    6Samirsbureau

    "It Knows What Scares You" .. not the scariest but still decent

    First of all i'm a huge fan of horror films, so when i heard about a remake to the Poltergeist i was so excited and couldn't wait to see the trailer which actually surprised me. And I've went to the movies expecting to watch the old movie but with a few changes.

    The thing is , they changed A LOT! So if you have the same expectation well it's not what you think it is. The pace of the movie was really fast in a good way but the only problem was the build up and that it lacked the feelings between the family.

    The Scare factor: It basically relies on jump scares but i have to admit they were perfectly done and well timed . There were some clowns in a box which were sort of creepy. and also some edge-of- your seat moments. It's similar to "Insidious" and James Wan effects. So yes when it says from the producer of "Evil Dead" you know what to expect, But it won't prevent you from sleeping.

    The acting was fine, CGI was okay and there were wonderful visuals. The 3D was mainly used for the jump out of your seat moments in a gimmicky way (Throwing stuff at the audience).

    In the end, I had fun watching Poltergeist and it delivers a few thrills,Sam Raimi did a great job producing this film,for Gil Kenan (Director of Monster House) i think it's a huge step forward. But don't go in with very high expectations or you will be disappointed. Although you should watch it if you're a true horror fan and you're looking for some good scares.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rosemarie DeWitt wanted to do the film, after she experienced the engaged and lively audience reaction at the premiere of The Conjuring (2013), which she attended because it featured her husband Ron Livingston.
    • Goofs
      (at around 57 mins) In one of the scenes the downstairs TV is seen falling over. Just afterwards the TV is straight back up without a scratch on it.
    • Quotes

      Amy Bowen: Take your pants off.

      Eric Bowen: Yes, ma'am. Really?

      Amy Bowen: Yes.

      Eric Bowen: Wow.

      Amy Bowen: Take if off.

      Eric Bowen: Alright.

      Griffin Bowen: [Eric's pants are down just when his kid enters the room] Dad?

      Eric Bowen: Yes?

      Amy Bowen: Aaah!

      Eric Bowen: Hey... What's up buddy?

      Griffin Bowen: There's something upstairs. I think there's something in my room.

      Eric Bowen: I'll be up there in a second.

      [the kid exits]

      Eric Bowen: So much for my luck. Don't move.

      Amy Bowen: Ok.

      Eric Bowen: I'll be right back, think dirty thoughts.

    • Crazy credits
      SPOILER: A scene is shown halfway through the end credits: Carrigan Burke is filming a new episode of his show. Dr. Powell (wearing the same glasses Tangina wore in the original trilogy) is his new co-host. He gets mad at her for messing up her line.
    • Alternate versions
      The U.S. Blu-ray release includes an "Extended Cut" that runs 7 minutes longer than the Theatrical Cut, which is also on the Blu-ray.
    • Connections
      Featured in Nostalgia Critic: Why Is Nothing Original Anymore? (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Sugarcrush
      Written by Owen Williams

      Performed by Joanna Gruesome

      Courtesy of Slumberland Records, LLC

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    FAQ

    • How long is Poltergeist?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Extended Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 22, 2015 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Poltergeist, Juegos Diabólicos
    • Filming locations
      • 1295 Upper Paradise Road, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada(Exterior house shots)
    • Production companies
      • Fox 2000 Pictures
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $47,425,125
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $22,620,386
      • May 24, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $95,437,994
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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