The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Ghost
Entertainment • Film

Ghost

Ghost is a 1990 American supernatural romance film directed by Jerry Zucker and written by Bruce Joel Rubin.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ghost is a 1990 American supernatural romance film directed by Jerry Zucker and written by Bruce Joel Rubin. It stars Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg, and follows a murdered man who returns as a ghost to protect his partner and uncover the truth behind his death. The film was distributed and widely viewed in Canada as a major Hollywood release.

Plot

The story follows Sam Wheat, a Manhattan banker who is killed and returns as a ghost. He tries to warn Molly Jensen, the woman he loves, while uncovering the plot behind his murder.

Production

Ghost was directed by Jerry Zucker and written by Bruce Joel Rubin. It was produced in the United States and runs 126 minutes.

Cast

The principal cast includes Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tony Goldwyn. Goldberg's performance became one of the film's best-known elements.

Reception and awards

Ghost became a major popular success and is often remembered as a genre-blending romance. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Whoopi Goldberg and Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Key facts

  • Ghost was released in 1990 and is widely described as a supernatural romance film.
  • The plot centres on Sam Wheat, a banker who is murdered and remains on Earth as a ghost.
  • Oda Mae Brown, played by Whoopi Goldberg, helps Sam communicate with the living.
  • The film stars Patrick Swayze as Sam Wheat and Demi Moore as Molly Jensen.
  • Ghost won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Whoopi Goldberg.
🍁
Canadian context

Ghost was distributed and widely viewed in Canada as a major Hollywood release, and it remains familiar to Canadian audiences through television, home video, and streaming platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ghost?
Ghost is a 1990 American supernatural romance film about a murdered man who returns as a ghost to protect his partner.
Who directed Ghost?
Jerry Zucker directed Ghost.
Who wrote Ghost?
Bruce Joel Rubin wrote Ghost.
Who stars in Ghost?
The film stars Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tony Goldwyn.
What awards did Ghost win?
Ghost won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Whoopi Goldberg and Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_(1990_film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, director, writer, cast, and plot summary.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099653/
    Supports: Release year, runtime, genre, director, writer, and plot synopsis.
  3. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/ghost
    Supports: Official film page with release year, rating, runtime, premise, and awards.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/60010395
    Supports: Film description, year, rating, genre, and principal cast.