Poltergeist (1982): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Poltergeist is a 1982 horror film directed by Tobe Hooper, starring JoBeth Williams and Heather O'Rourke. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $77.2 million worldwide. It won 3 awards from 9 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 54m (114 min)
- Director
- Tobe Hooper
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- MGM/UA Entertainment Company
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Poltergeist About?
The premise of Poltergeist without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A peaceful existence for the Bowen family is shattered when their youngest daughter, Maddy, begins communicating with a mysterious presence. Strange occurrences escalate, and when Maddy disappears, her parents, Eric and Amy, must enlist the help of paranormal experts. They soon discover a terrifying supernatural realm and confront malevolent spirits to rescue their child and restore balance to their home.
Poltergeist Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- ghost
- paranormal investigation
- inanimate object comes to life
- 5 year old girl
- haunting
- supernatural power
- poltergeist
- 8 year old boy
- haunted house
- family as protagonists
- child in jeopardy
- dead bird
+38 more Show fewer
- death of pet
- evil toy
- 16 year old
- 31 year old
- 5 year old
- 8 year old
- actress film debut
- communicating with the dead
- house
- television
- paranormal investigator
- paranormal phenomenon
- blonde girl
- 1980s
- brother sister relationship
- life force
- father daughter relationship
- swimming pool
- dysfunctional family
- brown haired teenage girl
- long haired teenage girl
- 16 year old girl
- girl
- dog
- brunette woman
- star spangled banner
- screaming
- tree
- famous line
- dead animal
- near death experience
- african american
- reanimated corpse
- teenage daughter
- terror
- marijuana joint
- raised middle finger
- lingerie
Poltergeist Cast
JoBeth Williams leads the cast, with Heather O'Rourke. Directed by Tobe Hooper.
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Director Tobe Hooper
More from Tobe Hooper
More films directed by Tobe Hooper, best-rated first: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Funhouse, Body Bags and Lifeforce.
Poltergeist Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Poltergeist 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 7.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
Poltergeist Plot Summary
What happens in Poltergeist from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the suburban haven of Cuesta Verde, California, the Freeling family enjoys the comforts of modern living. Steve Freeling (played by Craig T. Nelson) is a thriving real estate agent, whose world revolves around his wife, Diane (JoBeth Williams), and their three children: Dana (Dominique Dunne), teenage daughter, and her two preteen siblings, Robbie (Oliver Robbins) and Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke).
Full summary
The whole story of Poltergeist, scene by scene
Poltergeist Box Office
Poltergeist grossed $77.2 million worldwide. $77.2 million came from the US and Canada and $52,670 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$77.2M
- US & Canada
- $77.2M
- International
- $52.7K
Poltergeist Awards & Nominations
Poltergeist won 3 awards from 9 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 1983, with 2 wins from 5 nominations.
3 wins9 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 1983 2 wins · 5 nominations- Won Best Make-up
- Won Best Supporting Actress
- Nominated Best Actress
- Nominated Best Director
- Nominated Best Music
-
BAFTA 1983 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Special Visual Effects
-
Oscars 1983 3 nominations- Nominated Music (Original Score)
- Nominated Sound Effects Editing
- Nominated Visual Effects
Poltergeist Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser, 4 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer International Trailer
- Trailer 4K UHD Trailer
- Teaser TCM Big Screen Classics Fathom Event
- Clip Ghosts Abduct Carol Anne Scene
How Well Do You Know Poltergeist?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the profession of Steve Freeling?
Cars in Poltergeist
20 cars on screen, including the 1981 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and the Caterpillar 977 L.
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1981 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Important role -
Caterpillar 977 L Minor role -
1978 Ford Bronco Minor role -
1975 Plymouth Fury Minor role
Poltergeist Also Known As
27 alternative titles, including “Juegos Diabolicos” and “鬼哭神號”.
- Also known as
-
- Juegos Diabolicos
- 鬼哭神號
- Полтергейст
- Poltergeist (1982)
- Poltergeist : La vengeance des fantômes
- Poltergeists
- Poltergeist. Fenómenos extraños
- 吵闹鬼
- Poltergeist, o Fenómeno
- Kötü Ruh
- Poltergeist - Demoniache presenze
- Poltergeist (Fenómenos extraños)
+15 more Show fewer
- Duch
- Кућни дух
- Poltergeist - Kopogó szellem
- 鬼驱人
- פולטרגייסט
- ポルターガイスト
- Το Πνεύμα του Κακού
- 폴터가이스트
- Strigoiul
- Poltergeist: O Fenômeno
- Полтъргайст
- Poltergeistas
- Juegos diabólicos
- ผีหลอกวิญญาณหลอน
- Yêu Tinh
Seen Poltergeist?
Movies Like Poltergeist
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Poltergeist, The Poltergeist Diaries and Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension.
Poltergeist FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Poltergeist, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Poltergeist?
Poltergeist runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).
When was Poltergeist released?
Poltergeist was released on June 4, 1982.
Who directed Poltergeist?
Poltergeist was directed by Tobe Hooper.
More films by Tobe Hooper Who is in the cast of Poltergeist?
Poltergeist stars JoBeth Williams and Heather O'Rourke.
How much did Poltergeist make at the box office?
Poltergeist grossed $77.2 million worldwide ($77.2 million domestic, $52,670 international).
How is Poltergeist rated?
Poltergeist has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 79 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
What awards did Poltergeist win?
Poltergeist won 3 awards from 9 nominations, including Best Make-up at the Saturn Awards 1983.
Does Poltergeist have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Poltergeist has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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