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Poltergeist (1982 film)

Poltergeist is a 1982 American supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Poltergeist is a 1982 American supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall. It follows a suburban family whose home is invaded by hostile spirits that abduct their youngest daughter. The film became the first entry in the Poltergeist franchise and was followed by sequels and a 2015 remake.

Plot

The film follows an American suburban family whose house is disturbed by unexplained paranormal events. The activity escalates until the family’s youngest daughter is abducted by spirits connected to a sinister other side.

Production and release

Poltergeist was released in 1982 and was directed by Tobe Hooper from a screenplay by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. It was produced by Spielberg and Frank Marshall.

Franchise

The film launched a horror franchise that continued with two sequels in the 1980s and a remake in 2015. The original trilogy focused on the Freeling family and the entity known as the Beast.

Key facts

  • The film centers on the Freeling family, whose home becomes the site of paranormal activity.
  • Its plot involves a young daughter, Carol Anne, being taken by hostile spirits.
  • It was directed by Tobe Hooper and based on a story by Steven Spielberg.
  • The film is the first installment in the Poltergeist franchise.
  • It was followed by Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III.

Frequently asked questions

What is Poltergeist?
Poltergeist is a 1982 American supernatural horror film about a family haunted by spirits in their home.
Who directed Poltergeist?
It was directed by Tobe Hooper.
Who wrote Poltergeist?
The screenplay was written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor from a story by Spielberg.
What is the film about?
It follows a suburban family whose youngest daughter is taken by malevolent ghosts after paranormal activity overtakes their house.
Is Poltergeist part of a franchise?
Yes. It is the first film in the Poltergeist franchise, followed by two sequels and a 2015 remake.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(1982_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, producers, release year, and plot overview.
  2. Wikipedia Simple English — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(film)
    Supports: Release date, cast, sequel and remake information.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise status, trilogy structure, and 2015 reboot/remake.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084516/reference/
    Supports: Plot summary.