They’re heeere! If one of the kids in your household utters those two words, you’d better hope they’re talking about your in-laws or your nosey next-door neighbours.
This now famous line, which was spoken by young Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) in the first Poltergeist movie, indicated the presence of something much worse than the unwelcome human visitors that might set foot in your home. As you’ll know by the movie’s title, she was talking about the presence of ghosts!
The movie is still regarded as one of the best horror movies of all time, unlike the sequels and 2015 remake which failed to match the power of the original. Hooper’s movie (with a little help from Steven Spielberg) is that rarest of things: a supernatural chiller that is suitable for family viewing. It’s especially recommended if your kids are addicted to their screens as you can remind them of the fate of poor Carol Anne who was sucked into the static of the family television set!
Below we list all of the Poltergeist movies that have been released so far. Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
Poltergeist
US Release Date: June 4, 1982
Worldwide Box Office: $121.7 million
Director: Tobe Hooper
Metascore: 79
Main Cast:
Craig T. Nelson (Steve Freeling), JoBeth Williams (Diane Freeling), Heather O’Rourke (Carol Anne Freeling), Dominique Dunn (Dana Freeling), Oliver Robins (Robbie Freeling)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
A family’s home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.
Movie Tagline:
From a dimension beyond the living, a terror to scare you to death.
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
US Release Date: May 23, 1986
Worldwide Box Office: $75 million
Director: Brian Gibson
Metascore: 49
Main Cast:
Craig T. Nelson (Steve Freeling), JoBeth Williams (Diane Freeling), Heather O’Rourke (Carol Anne Freeling), Oliver Robins (Robbie Freeling), Zelda Rubinstein (Tangina), Will Sampson (Taylor), Julian Beck (Kane)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
The Freeling family have a new house, but their troubles with supernatural forces don’t seem to be over.
Movie Tagline:
They’re back.
Poltergeist III
US Release Date: June 10, 1988
Worldwide Box Office: $14.1 million
Director: Gary Sherman
Metascore: 40
Main Cast:
Heather O’Rourke (Carol Anne Freeling), Tom Skerritt (Bruce Gardner), Nancy Allen (Patricia Gardner), Zelda Rubinstein (Tangina), Lara Flynn Boyle (Donna Gardner), Nathan Davis (Kane)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Carol Anne is staying with her aunt in a high-rise building, where the supernatural forces haunting her make their return.
Movie Tagline:
No matter where Carol Anne goes…she never goes alone.
Poltergeist
US Release Date: May 22, 2015
Worldwide Box Office: $95.4 million
Director: Gil Kenan
Metascore: 47
Main Cast:
Sam Rockwell (Eric Bowen), Rosemarie DeWitt (Amy Bowen), Kennedi Clements (Madison Bowen), Saxon Sharbino (Kendra Bowen), Kyle Catlett (Griffin Bowen)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive.
Movie Tagline:
They know what scares you.
Let us know your favourite movie in the Poltergeist franchise below.