Films About Ghosts: A General Description
Films about ghosts often explore themes of the supernatural, the afterlife, and the unresolved issues that linger after death. They can range from spine-chilling horror to heartfelt dramas, often intertwining human emotions with the ethereal presence of spirits. These films frequently delve into the struggles of characters dealing with loss, redemption, and the quest for closure, making them a rich genre that resonates with audiences. Below is a list of notable films that prominently feature ghosts, along with brief descriptions.
Films About Ghosts
“Ghost”, 1990
Director: Jerry Zucker
A romantic fantasy thriller where a murdered man, played by Patrick Swayze, seeks to protect his girlfriend, Demi Moore, from danger while trying to uncover the truth behind his death. The film is famous for its iconic pottery scene and themes of love transcending death.
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Rick Aviles, Vincent Schiavelli, Gail Boggs, Armelia McQueen, Phil Leeds, Augie Blunt, Stephen Root, Bruce Jarchow, Stanley Lawrence, Christopher J. Keene, Susan Breslau, Martina Deignan, Rick Kleber, Macka Foley, John Hugh, Sam Tsoutsouvas, Sharon Breslau, Angelina Estrada, Thom Curley, Laura Drake, Alma Beltran, Vivian Bonnell, Derek Thompson, J. Christopher Sullivan, Charlotte Zucker, Tom Finnegan, Sondra Rubin, Faye Brenner, William Cort, Minnie Summers Lindsey, Mabel Lockridge, Said Faraj, William L. Arance, Mike Jittlov, Lee Allen, Bud Bougie, Robert Buckingham, Suzanne Q. Burdeau, Faith Burton, Ken Clayton, Suke-Chang Eggit, Jimmy Fields, Anthony Gordon, Arsenio Hall, Robert Lawson;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: melodrama, fantasy, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Ghost” on the website imdb.com
“The Sixth Sense”, 1999
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
This psychological thriller follows a troubled young boy, played by Haley Joel Osment, who can see and communicate with the dead. His therapist, portrayed by Bruce Willis, seeks to help him understand his gift, leading to a shocking twist that redefines the narrative.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Trevor Morgan, Donnie Wahlberg, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Jeffrey Zubernis, Bruce Norris, Glenn Fitzgerald, Greg Wood, Mischa Barton, Angelica Torn, Lisa Summerour, Firdous Bamji, Samia Shoaib, Hayden Saunier, Janis Dardaris, Neill Hartley, Sarah Ripard, Heidi Fischer, KaDee Strickland, Michael J. Lyons, Samantha Fitzpatrick, Holly Cross Vagley, Kate Kearney-Patch, Marilyn Shanok, Wes Heywood, Nico Woulard, Carol Nielson, Keith Woulard, Jodi Dawson, Tony Michael Donnelly, Ronnie Lea, Carlos Xavier Lopez, Gino Inverso, Ellen Sheppard, Tom McLaughlin, Candy Aston-Dennis, Patrick McDade, Jose L. Rodriguez, Gina Allegro, Bob Bowersox, Luke Burnyeat, Matt Casale, Kym Cohen, Mark Falvo, Leslie Noel Haigh, Brittany Hawkins;
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
“The Others”, 2001
Director: Alejandro Amenábar
A gothic horror film featuring Nicole Kidman as a mother raising her two light-sensitive children in a secluded mansion. As strange occurrences begin to unfold, she starts to unravel the mystery of the house and its ghostly inhabitants, leading to a chilling revelation.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann, James Bentley, Eric Sykes, Elaine Cassidy, Renée Asherson, Gordon Reid, Keith Allen, Michelle Fairley, Alexander Vince, Ricardo López, Aldo Grilo;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: horror, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“Casper”, 1995
Director: Brad Silberling
A family-friendly film centered around Casper, a friendly ghost who longs for friendship and connection. When a paranormal expert and his daughter move into his haunted mansion, Casper's adventures and heartwarming interactions unfold, offering both laughs and lessons about acceptance.
Starring: Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Chauncey Leopardi, Spencer Vrooman, Malachi Pearson, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Ben Stein, Don Novello, Fred Rogers, Terry Murphy, Ernestine Mercer, Doug Bruckner, Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, Brad Garrett, John Kassir, Garette Ratliff Henson, Jessica Wesson, Wesley Thompson, Michael Dubrow, J.J. Anderson, Jess Harnell, Michael McCarty, Micah Winkelspecht, Mike Simmrin, Amy Brenneman, Devon Sawa, Janette Andrade, Dan Aykroyd, Rodney Dangerfield, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Elise Main, Tony Stef'Ano;
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
“A Ghost Story”, 2017
Director: David Lowery
An experimental drama that follows a recently deceased man who becomes a ghost, lingering in the home he shared with his wife. Through a series of haunting experiences, the film meditates on time, memory, and the impact of loss, exploring the human condition in profound ways.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, McColm Cephas Jr., Kenneisha Thompson, Grover Coulson, Liz Cardenas, Barlow Jacobs, Richard Krause, Dagger Salazar, Sonia Acevedo, Carlos Bermudez, Kimberly Fiddes, Daniel Escudero, Kesha, Jared Kopf, Afomia Hailemeskel, Will Oldham, Brea Grant, Augustine Frizzell, Jonny Mars, Rachel Ballard, Bryan Pitts, Rob Zabrecky, Sara Tomerlin, Margot Tomerlin, Sylvie Tomerlin, Savanna Walsh, Derrick Halverson, David Miller, Hector Escalante, Randy E. Aguebor, Joel David Taylor, Monalisa Amidar, Phillip Amidar, Stan Sanders, Alvis Lewis, David Fraga, Kimberly Gail Williams, Tanya Foster, Giovannie Cruz, Paulie Killgore, Otis Harris, Kathy Jordan, Scooter Walsh, William Sydney, David Helms, Jordan Jett Raines, Kelli Holdridge, Taylor Anne Ramsey, Alexis Fleisig;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “A Ghost Story” on the website imdb.com
“The Conjuring”, 2013
Director: James Wan
A horror film based on the true story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. They help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. The film expertly combines fear with elements of folklore, showcasing the struggle between good and evil.
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook-Chun, John Brotherton, Sterling Jerins, Marion Guyot, Morganna Bridgers, Amy Tipton, Kymoura Kennedy, Sean Flynn, Ashley White, Zach Pappas, Arnell Powell, Rose Bachtel, James D. Nelson, Christophe Veillon, George T. Zervos, Carmella Gioio, Steve Coulter, Desi Domo, Dusty, Alyssa Bauman, Josiah Blount, Tiyana Blue, Mellie Boozer, Jamie Broadnax, Cabrenna H Burks, Brannigan Carter, Christina Collins, Roxy Collins, Christopher Cozort, Mase Daniels, Jesse Michael Fullington, Sanai James, Michael Jeanmaire, Christy Johnson, Emma Jonnz, Courtney Lakin, Grace Layden, Karen Malina, Joe Montanti, Tony Moore;
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
“Beetlejuice”, 1988
Director: Tim Burton
A dark comedy directed by Tim Burton, where a recently deceased couple, played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, enlist the help of an obnoxious ghost named Beetlejuice to scare away the new inhabitants of their home. The film is known for its quirky humor and imaginative visuals.
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Annie McEnroe, Maurice Page, Hugo Stanger, Rachel Mittelman, J. Jay Saunders, Mark Ettlinger, Glenn Shadix, Patrice Martinez, Cindy Daly, Douglas Turner, Carmen Filpi, Simmy Bow, Sylvia Sidney, Robert Goulet, Dick Cavett, Susan Kellerman, Adelle Lutz, Gary Jochimsen, Bob Pettersen, Duane Davis, Maree Cheatham, Tony Cox, Jack Angel, Christine Bridges, Judi M. Durand, Charles Schneider, Skeleton;
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
“Poltergeist”, 2015
Director: Gil Kenan
A horror classic that tells the story of a family whose home is invaded by malevolent spirits. Their daughter, Carol Anne, becomes the target of the supernatural forces, prompting the family to seek help from paranormal experts 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, Patrick Garrow, Doug MacLeod, Eve Crawford, L.A. Lopes, Soma Chhaya, John Stoneham Jr., Kathryn Greenwood, Molly Kidder;
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 Ring”, 2002
Director: Gore Verbinski
A psychological horror film about a journalist investigating a mysterious videotape that curses its viewers with death seven days after watching it. The film intertwines themes of grief and vengeance, as she uncovers the tragic story of a ghostly girl named Samara.
Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox, Jane Alexander, Lindsay Frost, Amber Tamblyn, Rachael Bella, Daveigh Chase, Shannon Cochran, Sandra Thigpen, Richard Lineback, Sasha Barrese, Tess Hall, Adam Brody, Alan Blumenfeld, Pauley Perrette, Joe Chrest, Ronald William Lawrence, Stephanie Erb, Sara Rue, Lindsey Stoddart, Joe Sabatino, Joanna Lin Black, Maura McNamara, David Povall, Keith Campbell, Chuck Hicks, Michael Spound, Gary Carlos Cervantes, Aixa Clemente, Art Frankel, Billy Lloyd, Coleen Maloney, Catherine Paolone, Guy Richardson, Geoff Garza, Robert Gatewood, Maury Ginsberg, Mar Party, Barbara Petricini-Buxton;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: horror, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Ring” on the website imdb.com
“The Frighteners”, 1996
Director: Peter Jackson
A horror-comedy directed by Peter Jackson, where a man can see and communicate with ghosts. He uses his abilities to con people, but soon finds himself confronting a malevolent spirit that threatens to unleash chaos.
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace-Stone, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, Jim Fyfe, Troy Evans, Julianna McCarthy, R. Lee Ermey, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Angela Bloomfield, Desmond Kelly, Jonathan Blick, Todd Rippon, John Sumner, Michael Robinson, Jim McLarty, Anthony Ray Parker, Paul Yates, Melanie Lynskey, John Leigh, Nicola Cliff, Ken Blackburn, Stuart Devenie, Genevieve Westcott, K.C. Kelly, Leslie Wing, Leslie Klein, Frank Edwards, Alan O'Leary, Danny Lineham, Charlie McClellan, William Pomeroy, George Port, Billy Jackson, Sophie Watkins, Taea Hartwell, Max Grover, George Grover, Tony Hopkins, Lewis Martin, Clay Nelson, Matthew Chamberlain, Vivienne Kaplan, Liz Mullane, Matt Aitken, Grant Aldridge;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: horror, fantasy, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Frighteners” on the website imdb.com
These films showcase the diverse ways in which ghosts are portrayed in cinema, from horror to heartfelt storytelling, encapsulating the mysterious allure of the afterlife and the human experience.
In exploring the diverse realm of films about ghosts, it becomes evident that this genre holds a captivating power to both haunt and fascinate audiences. From spine-tingling horror flicks that leave us clutching our seats in terror to poignant tales of lost spirits seeking closure, these films offer a unique lens into the realm of the supernatural. They not only entertain but also tap into our deepest fears, provoking contemplation on the nature of life and death. With their atmospheric settings, chilling visuals, and haunting soundtracks, films about ghosts lyrics transport us to a realm where the ethereal and corporeal collide. Whether we find ourselves enveloped in the macabre or touched by the tender connections between the living and the dead, these films continue to captivate and leave an indelible mark on our psyche.
