Poster for Carnival of Souls

Carnival of Souls

1962, Horror, 1h 20m

67 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Carnival of Souls offers delightfully chilling proof that when it comes to telling an effective horror story, less can often be much, much more. Read critic reviews

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Carnival of Souls Photos

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Movie Info

Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) ends up the sole survivor of a fatal car accident through mysterious circumstances. Trying to put the incident behind her, she moves to Utah and takes a job as a church organist. But her fresh start is interrupted by visions of a fiendish man (Herk Harvey). As the visions begin to occur more frequently, Mary finds herself drawn to the deserted carnival on the outskirts of town. The strangely alluring carnival may hold the secret to her tragic past.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Horror
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Herk Harvey
  • Producer:
    Herk Harvey
  • Writer:
    John Clifford
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

Candace Hilligoss
Candace Hilligoss
Mary Henry
Frances Feist
Frances Feist
Mrs. Thomas
Sidney Berger
Sidney Berger
John Linden
Stan Levitt
Stan Levitt
Dr. Samuels
Art Ellison
Art Ellison
Minister
Herk Harvey
Herk Harvey
The Man
Tom McGinnis
Tom McGinnis
Organ Factory Boss
Herk Harvey
Herk Harvey
Director
Herk Harvey
Herk Harvey
Producer
John Clifford
John Clifford
Writer
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News & Interviews for Carnival of Souls

On DVD This Week: <em>Green Room</em>, <em>The Divergent Series: Allegiant</em>, and More
On DVD This Week: Green Room, The Divergent Series: Allegiant, and More
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Critic Reviews for Carnival of Souls

All Critics (67) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (9)
Full Review… Geoff Brown Times (UK) Full Review… Glenn Kenny Video Review Full Review… Hugo Davenport Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Michael H. Price Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Full Review… Joseph Gelmis Newsday Full Review… Tim Pulleine Guardian Full Review… Jorge Loser Espinof Full Review… Kristy Strouse Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying Full Review… Nadine Smith them. Full Review… Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Full Review… Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Full Review… Stephen Hunter Baltimore Sun
View All Critic Reviews (67)

Audience Reviews for Carnival of Souls

  • May 14, 2018
    I can see how this horror movie inspired many others that came after; in any case, despite a solid beginning, there isn't much here to compensate for the fact that it is so unexciting, predictable, poorly acted, unscary and manages to be very boring with only 78 minutes.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 13, 2014
    The eerie organ music and uncomfortable angels made Carnival of Souls a cult classic.
    Super Reviewer
  • Jul 07, 2012
    "Carnival of Souls" is a laughable attempt at horror. This no-budget, poorly-executed cult classic is unsurprisingly free of suspense, and being dated has nothing to do with it. I doubt this material was scary even fifty years ago. Not only is it meandering and pointless, but the twists that it takes are silly and implausible, and for being less than 80 minutes long, it's a real chore to sit through. Just because something's old doesn't mean it's a classic. Skip this one for sure.
    Super Reviewer
  • Jul 02, 2012
    A drive in the country past an delapidated amusement park proves to be more than simply moody and atmospheric for an young woman just starting out in life ... or is she? A heavy church organ music background proves to rattle even the strongest nerve in this justified cult classic.
    Super Reviewer
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