“Ghostbusters”, 1984
Director: Ivan Reitman
When New York City is plagued by a sudden increase in paranormal activity, a group of eccentric scientists turns their knowledge of the supernatural into a ghost-catching business. They confront a powerful entity threatening to unleash chaos upon the city.
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Ernie Hudson, David Margulies, Steven Tash;
Production year: 1984;
Genre: science fiction, fantasy, action, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Ghostbusters” on the website imdb.com
“The Sixth Sense”, 1999
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
A young boy who communicates with spirits that don't know they're dead seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist. The film is widely known for its twist ending.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Trevor Morgan, Donnie Wahlberg, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Jeffrey Zubernis, Bruce Norris, Glenn Fitzgerald;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: detective, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “The Sixth Sense” on the website imdb.com
“Poltergeist”, 2015
Director: Gil Kenan
A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts, and their daughter is taken by these malevolent entities. They must come together to rescue her from the other side.
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Saxon Sharbino, Kyle Catlett, Kennedi Clements, Jared Harris, Jane Adams, Susan Heyward, Nicholas Braun, Karen Ivany;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,9;
More information about the film “Poltergeist” on the website imdb.com
“The Others”, 2001
Director: Alejandro Amenábar
In this atmospheric thriller set just after World War II, a mother and her two photosensitive children become convinced that their home is haunted. As they uncover dark secrets, the line between the living and the dead blurs.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann, James Bentley, Eric Sykes, Elaine Cassidy, Renée Asherson, Gordon Reid, Keith Allen;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: horror, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“A Ghost Story”, 2017
Director: David Lowery
In this poignant tale of love and loss, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife, only to find that in his spectral state, he has become unstuck in time.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, McColm Cephas Jr., Kenneisha Thompson, Grover Coulson, Liz Cardenas, Barlow Jacobs, Richard Krause, Dagger Salazar, Sonia Acevedo;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “A Ghost Story” on the website imdb.com
“Casper”, 1995
Director: Brad Silberling
A family-friendly comedy about a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a Maine mansion. When a specialist in the supernatural and his daughter move in to communicate with the spirits, they form a special bond with Casper.
Starring: Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Chauncey Leopardi, Spencer Vrooman, Malachi Pearson, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Ben Stein, Don Novello, Fred Rogers;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: fantasy, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Casper” on the website imdb.com
“The Conjuring”, 2013
Director: James Wan
Based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film depicts the haunting of the Perron family and the subsequent investigation into the dark presence in their Rhode Island farmhouse.
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook-Chun;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: horror, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Conjuring” on the website imdb.com
“The Woman in Black”, 2012
Director: James Watkins
A young lawyer encounters a vengeful ghost when he's sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a deceased client. The spirit of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals, and he must uncover her story to put an end to the hauntings.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Liz White, Roger Allam, Tim McMullan, Jessica Raine, Daniel Cerqueira, Shaun Dooley, Mary Stockley;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: horror, fantasy, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
“Beetlejuice”, 1988
Director: Tim Burton
In this dark comedy, a deceased couple is trying to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home and seek assistance from a devious and mischievous spirit named Beetlejuice to get rid of them.
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Annie McEnroe, Maurice Page, Hugo Stanger, Rachel Mittelman;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: fantasy, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Beetlejuice” on the website imdb.com
“13 Ghosts”, 1960
Director: William Castle
When a family inherits a spectacular old house from an eccentric uncle, they discover it has a dangerous agenda all its own. The estate is haunted by the unique spirits of the previous owner's collection.
Starring: Charles Herbert, Jo Morrow, Martin Milner, Rosemary DeCamp, Donald Woods, Margaret Hamilton, John Van Dreelen, Jeanne Baker, John Burnside, William Castle;
Production year: 1960;
Genre: horror, detective;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 85 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “13 Ghosts” on the website imdb.com
These films are just a few examples within the vast cinema genre that explores what might lurk beyond the veil of death, with each offering different interpretations and levels of suspense, terror, and fun.
In conclusion, films about ghosts hold an enduring appeal, captivating audiences with their exploration of the unknown and the supernatural. These films, whether rooted in horror, drama, or comedy, delve into existential questions about life, death, and what lies beyond, providing a gateway for viewers to confront their deepest fears and curiosities. From classics like “Poltergeist” to modern masterpieces such as “The Others,” ghost-themed cinema continues to evolve, reflecting societal anxieties and the perpetual fascination with the afterlife. As filmmakers experiment with new technologies and storytelling techniques, the genre promises to keep audiences both entertained and introspectively engaged, solidifying its place in the annals of film history.
