Poltergeist (2015)
A family's suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.
Details
Budget
$35,000,000
Rating
5/10 (2288 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
TSG Entertainment, Ghost House Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Fox 2000 Pictures
About Poltergeist
The 2015 version of "Poltergeist" revisits the story of a suburban family whose new home becomes a center of paranormal activity. As the haunting intensifies, spirits target the youngest daughter, prompting the family to try to rescue her. The film is categorized as horror and leans into themes of haunted houses and possession, with modern effects for a new generation. It features a runtime of 93 minutes.
Reviews for the film reflect a mixed reception, with a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 47/100 on Metacritic. The IMDb rating is 4.9 out of 10 from over 65,000 votes. Many critics and viewers often compared it to the 1982 original, noting its approach as a remake.
The movie attempts to update the original concept with new technology and visual effects. Despite its intentions, many found it to be a less impactful experience compared to its predecessor. Key actors include Sam Rockwell, whose performance was noted by some as a highlight.
Why you might be searching for Poltergeist
People are searching for "Poltergeist" (2015) to find out how it compares to the original, particularly in terms of scares and character portrayals. Many are curious about specific scenes, such as children's faces appearing in a wood banister or a daughter digging up the family room floor.
What reviewers are saying
A reviewer found the film to be ordinary and bland, describing it as a less compelling version of the original haunting story, and felt the director focused more on the evil house than on likable characters or engaging scares.
Read the full reviewOne viewer stated the film might have been better as an original story rather than a remake, noting that it closely mirrored the 80s version frame by frame, only updating the cast and modern gadgets.
Read the full reviewDespite initial reservations about the remake, one audience member found it wasn't as bad as anticipated, crediting the special effects and performances by Sam Rockwell, Jared Harris, and Jane Adams for making the film watchable.
Read the full reviewThis film was described by one reviewer as 'lame horror,' offering nothing particularly good; they found the story predictable, the cast forgettable, and the film lacking in scares for its genre.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Poltergeist" on Hulu, FuboTV, or FXNow. It's also available with ads for free on Tubi TV. If you prefer to rent or buy, you can find it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/poltergeist-2015)
The 2015 film "Poltergeist" is a remake of the classic 1982 horror tale, which was based on a story by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. [disneyplus.com](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-d44b11bb-652c-43be-8c11-224286eb6e7b), [wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(2015_film))
At the end of "Poltergeist," the Bowen family tries to escape their haunted house with their daughter Maddy, who was taken by spirits. The occult specialist, Carrigan Burke, realizes the only way to save Maddy and stop the poltergeists is to go into the portal himself, leading the spirits "into the light." The family drives away, and a beam of light erupts from the house, suggesting the spirits have moved on. The film concludes with the Bowens looking for a new house and Carrigan hosting his ghost program with Dr. Powell, whose GPS was found in the remains of the house. [imdb.com](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1029360/plotsummary/), [wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(2015_film))
"Poltergeist" (2015) received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with many deeming it inferior to the 1982 original. However, some critics found it an "efficient scare-machine" and "fun, worthy horror entry," especially for younger viewers unfamiliar with the original. It was a moderate box office success. [wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(2015_film))