
The Haunting
1963, Horror, 1h 52m
42 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Both psychological and supernatural, The Haunting is a chilling character study. Read critic reviews
You might also like
Where to watch
Show all servicesThe Haunting Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Eleanor "Nell" Lance
Theodora "Theo"
Dr. John Markway
Luke Sanderson
Grace Markway
Mrs. Sanderson
News & Interviews for The Haunting
Critic Reviews for The Haunting
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (6)
-
Wise brilliantly uses black and white widescreen to strand his characters in odd-shaped rooms or corridors, making the watcher's eye skitter frantically over the letterbox screen to catch every ingeniously rendered detail.
September 8, 2020 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
When The Haunting digs into the internals of its story, summons its spirits and lets them play havoc with cold reason, it has a power and fervor unmatched by any film ghost stories.
November 2, 2018 | Full Review… -
People stare about in terror and squeak: 'The house, it's alive!' The picture, it's dead.
October 19, 2008 | Full Review… -
Properly creepy, unlike like the dodgy remake.
September 25, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
The artful cinematic strokes of director Robert Wise and staff are not quite enough to override the major shortcomings of Nelson Gidding's screenplay.
September 25, 2007 | Full Review… -
Pretty effective when it came out; it may be a little stiff in the joints by now, but it's still a much better scare show than the recent stinker remake.
September 25, 2007 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Haunting
-
Oct 07, 2016Julie Harris' narration gets a little excessive at times but otherwise, great classic horror film that sports a great brooding atmosphere, mesmerizing cinematography, and a great ensemble cast.Christopher H Super Reviewer
-
Nov 09, 2013The exposition leaden dialogue leaves something to be desired, but its easy to see why the film considered a standard for the "haunted house" genre. There are still moments that are unsettling, mostly because Robert Wise uses sound and silence so well. Julie Harris' unhinged performance is great.Alec B Super Reviewer
-
Oct 02, 2012Don't really see what the acclaim is all about. At first I was going to give this movie credit, because it was difficult in the early 60's to pull off a good horror movie with the lack of special effects. At the end of this movie however, the veer away from making it a scary story at all, and it just becomes the tale of some insane lady. 10 years later they would have institutionalized her. Instead she kills herself because she thinks she "belongs". WTF.Mace R Super Reviewer
-
Mar 06, 2012The Haunting is a stellar haunted house flick with a great cast. Director Robert Wise crafts a memorable film that has some genuine scares, something that is missing from many horror films of today. The Haunting is a brilliantly acted film with a great cast and it has such atmosphere to create memorable terror. The Haunting is one of the greatest haunted house films ever filmed. Director Robert Wise creates a terrific film, and The Haunting is one of the most memorable, most efficient haunted house films in the horror genre. This film relies on atmosphere to create the horror and Robert Wise has a terrific eye of what makes a memorable and effective horror flick. The cast deliver great performances and The Haunting is a perfect ghost story. Director Robert Wise genius direction keeps you imagination guessing and what the horrors are that lurk in the dark. This is superb filmmaking at its terrifying best, and remains the quintessential haunted house film to watch. This is a masterful horror classic that is still scary after all these years. The film relies heavily on the unseen to create the terror, and it proves that at times you don't need blood or gore to create the terror on-screen. Sometimes all you need is the fear of the unknown, what you can't see brings even more genuine terror than most psychotic mad men. The Haunting set the standard for all haunted house films that would follow. Robert Wise has crafted a must see horror flick, a definite classic of the genre. This film will definitely give you a few good scares. If you want a great atmospheric horror film, then The Haunting is a definite must see. Robert Wise definitely knows how to create effective horror with a dark atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. A flawless classic.Alex r Super Reviewer
The Haunting Quotes
Dr. John Markway: | That proves it: one of you is a witch! |
Eleanor Vance: | Hill House has stood for ninety years and will probably stand for ninety more. And we who walk at Hill House, walk alone. |
Dr. John Markway: | You're liable to have that shut door ripped right off it's hinges |
Dr. John Markway: | You're liable to have that shut door ripped right off it's hinges. |
Eleanor Vance: | And whatever walks there walks alone |
Eleanor Vance: | And whatever walks there walks alone. |
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified