Poltergeist

2015, Horror/Mystery & thriller, 1h 33m

137 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Paying competent homage without adding anything of real value to the original Poltergeist, this remake proves just as ephemeral (but half as haunting) as its titular spirit. Read critic reviews

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Poltergeist Videos

Poltergeist: Trailer 2

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Poltergeist Photos

Kennedi Clements as Madison Bowen in "Poltergeist."

Kennedi Clements as Madison Bowen in "Poltergeist."

Sam Rockwell as Eric Bowen and Rosemarie DeWitt as Amy in "Poltergeist."

Rosemarie DeWitt as Amy Bowen in "Poltergeist."

A scene from "Poltergeist."

Kennedi Clements as Madison Bowen in "Poltergeist."

Kennedi Clements as Madison Bowen in "Poltergeist."

Poltergeist (2015)

Poltergeist (2015)

Poltergeist (2015)

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Movie Info

All seems well for Eric Bowen (Sam Rockwell), wife Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) and their three children as they move into their new house in the suburbs of Illinois. Soon, youngest daughter Maddy (Kennedi Clements) begins talking to an imaginary friend, or so the family thinks. It's not long before sinister spirits wreak havoc in the home, holding Maddy captive and forcing the parents to consult a team of parapsychologists who engage the supernatural entities in a battle for the girl's freedom.

Rating:

PG-13 (Intense/Frightening Sequences|Brief Suggestive Material|Some Language)
Genre:

Horror, Mystery & thriller
Original Language:

English
Director:

Gil Kenan
Producer:

Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Roy Lee
Writer:

David Lindsay-Abaire
Release Date (Theaters):

May 22, 2015 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Sep 29, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA):

$47.3M
Runtime:

1h 33m
Distributor:

20th Century Fox
Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Sam Rockwell
Eric Bowen

Rosemarie DeWitt
Amy Bowen

Kyle Catlett
Griffin Bowen

Jane Adams
Dr. Claire Powell

Jared Harris
Carrigan Burke

Nicholas Braun
Boyd

Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for Poltergeist

All Critics (137) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (97)

Full Review… Jesse Hassenger AV Club

Full Review… Jason Bailey Flavorwire

Full Review… Drew Hunt Chicago Reader

Full Review… Jake Wilson Sydney Morning Herald

Full Review… William Goss Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Mike McCahill Daily Telegraph (UK)

Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review

Full Review… Kip Mooney Central Track

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Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… Damond Fudge KCCI (Des Moines, IA)

Full Review… Brent McKnight The Last Thing I See

View All Critic Reviews (137)

Audience Reviews for Poltergeist

Mar 27, 2016

I will admit, I didn't watch it all. I made it to the clown scene. However, I'm such a big fan of the original that I couldn't get into this one at all. I guess if it was an original story, it would be passable, but I am just sick of great movies being remade. It is unnecessary and I didn't like the updating on this one. The teenage daughter also needed a kick up the ass, who wants to watch an entitled brat carrying on about a mobile phone on Poltergeist!

Nicki M Super Reviewer
Feb 15, 2016

http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/poltergeist-dir-gil-kenan-2015-1982s-is.html

Anthony L Super Reviewer
Dec 22, 2015

Sitting through Poltergeist, you'll find yourself justly questioning the need for such a thankless, scare-free remake of a perfectly acceptable, if slightly dated, 80's horror classic. That is if you have seen the original; and if you haven't, do yourself a favour and skip this for that. The effects are decent, but the plot offers nothing new over the original. Family dynamics may change with the advent of new technology, but the spooks here haven't upped their game in the last 20 years if this is anything to go by. Rockwell and and DeWitt are better than this as well. Yawn.

Jason S Super Reviewer
Nov 14, 2015

Updated for modern audiences, Poltergeist is a solid remake that delivers some frightful thrills. After moving to a new house that's been built on a former cemetery the Bowen family comes under attack from supernatural forces. Sam Rockwell leads the cast and gives an impressive performance. Additionally, the director does a good job at creating atmosphere and building tension. And, the writing makes some interesting changes that contemporizes the story. Though not as revolutionary as the original, Poltergeist is still a well-crafted and chilling horror film.

Dann M Super Reviewer

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