Paranormal Activity 3

Critics Consensus

While the jolts and thrills are undeniably subject to the diminishing returns that plague most horror sequels, Paranormal Activity 3 is a surprisingly spine-tingling treat.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 124

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 74,706
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Movie Info

The Paranormal Activity franchise continues with this third outing from Paramount Pictures. Oren Peli and Jason Blum return to produce the highly secretive feature, with Catfish's directing duo of Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman taking on the helming duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Cast

Jessica Tyler Brown
Chloe Csengery
Christopher Nicholas Smith
Lauren Bittner
Dustin Ingram
Maria Olsen

News & Interviews for Paranormal Activity 3

Box Office Guru Wrapup: Paranormal Activity 3 Scares Up A Huge Opening
Critics Consensus: Paranormal Activity 3 is Certified Fresh
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Critic Reviews for Paranormal Activity 3

All Critics (124) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (83) | Rotten (41)

  • By showing us more of the ghost's activity the film loses some of its mysterious appeal

    June 8, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Matthew Lucas

    The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)
    Top Critic

  • It's an ending that suggests another film is possible, although I think it's time for this franchise to pull the plug. It's clearly taken the found-footage gimmick as far as possible.

    May 7, 2019 | Full Review…

    Micheal Compton

    Bowling Green Daily News
    Top Critic

  • For the love of God, I hope you don't see the next Paranormal Activity...Jesus, my head.

    January 5, 2019 | Full Review…

    May Leitz

    Nyx Fears
    Top Critic

  • A cataclysmic abomination of a film, forever tarnishing the reputation of one of the better horror movies of the past decade.

    December 5, 2018 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Daniel Gumble

    CineVue
    Top Critic

  • Fresh feeling and a gloriously gonzo finale.

    October 19, 2018 | Full Review…

    Dylan Scott

    Vox
    Top Critic

  • A few surprisingly effective set pieces that earn some legitimate scares, regardless of how familiar it's all starting to feel.

    August 26, 2015 | Full Review…

    Scott Weinberg

    TheHorrorShow
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (124)

Audience Reviews for Paranormal Activity 3

  • Apr 06, 2015
    Paranormal Activity could very well be the only horror franchise worth watching that's new to our screens in the past decade. It can't be denied that each film does borrow somewhat from the last and for some the repeated tirade of CCTV-like footage displaying apparitions, slamming doors and distant wailing could get insufferable really fast, I personally found Paranormal Activity 3 to be far stronger than 2 and on par with 1. The last twenty minutes of the film are really quite something and express promising talent and unforgetable jolts. In Paranormal Activity 3 it is what's suggested that is much scarier than what is seen.
    Harry W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 06, 2014
    It would have been a better film had it not been made as "Found Footage," because there is real ingenuity in the way this prequel scares its audience and expands on the mythology, but the drawbacks to this style, such as long drawn out periods of nothing happening and limited perspectives, are now at their most evident.
    Edward B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 02, 2013
    The same, tired tricks are used, but these do not take away from the film's ability to engage. It is in fact more involved than its predecessors, and delivers just as many, if not more, scares. The acting, in typical Paranormal Activity fashion, is raw and believable. The found-footage genre may be overused at this point, but it works well in this film, and helps create the required suspense. The plot twist was completely unexpected and brilliantly developed. This film is a heart-pounding, entertaining chapter with more thrills and chills than most horror films in recent memory.
    Matthew Samuel M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 31, 2012
    Along with the the original movie, this is one of the better Paranormal Activity movies. That isn't to say it's great, but it makes for a relatively entertaining, if gimmicky and poorly written, scary movie. Don't expect to see any of the scenes from the trailer though; very few of them are actually in the movie.
    Joey S Super Reviewer
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