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Entertainment • Film

Lights Out

Lights Out is a 2016 American supernatural horror film directed by David F.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lights Out is a 2016 American supernatural horror film directed by David F. Sandberg in his feature directorial debut. Written by Eric Heisserer and based on Sandberg’s 2013 short film of the same name, it follows a family haunted by a spirit that attacks in the dark.

Plot

The film follows Rebecca as she tries to protect her younger half-brother Martin from a spirit tied to their family’s past. The entity becomes dangerous when the lights go out, creating the film’s central horror premise.

Production

Lights Out was adapted from Sandberg’s 2013 short film after the short drew attention online. Eric Heisserer wrote the screenplay, and the film was produced by Heisserer, Lawrence Grey, and James Wan.

Release

The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 8, 2016, and was released in the United States and Canada on July 22, 2016. Warner Bros. handled distribution.

Reception

The film was a commercial success, earning around $148 million worldwide against a relatively low production budget. Sources describe its critical reception as generally positive.

Key facts

  • It was Sandberg’s feature film directorial debut.
  • The story centres on a family threatened by a supernatural entity that can only be seen in darkness.
  • The film is based on Sandberg’s 2013 short film of the same name.
  • Warner Bros. released the film in the United States and Canada.
  • The film grossed about $148 million against a reported $4.9 million budget.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canada on the same date as its United States release, July 22, 2016.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lights Out about?
It is about a family haunted by a supernatural entity that attacks when it is dark.
Who directed Lights Out?
David F. Sandberg directed the film.
Is Lights Out based on anything?
Yes. It was adapted from Sandberg’s 2013 short film of the same name.
When was Lights Out released?
It was released in the United States and Canada on July 22, 2016.
Who stars in Lights Out?
The cast includes Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Alexander DiPersia, Billy Burke, and Maria Bello.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lights_Out_(2016_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, plot premise, release date, Canadian release, box office, and production details.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lights_out_2016
    Supports: Plot synopsis, release date, genre, rating, and box office figure.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4786282/
    Supports: General plot description and film identification.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/lights-out
    Supports: Plot details, runtime, rating, and release information.