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Witchboard

Witchboard is a 1986 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Kevin Tenney in his directorial debut.

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

Witchboard is a 1986 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Kevin Tenney in his directorial debut. It stars Tawny Kitaen, Stephen Nichols, and Todd Allen, and follows a woman who becomes terrorized after using a Ouija board connected to a malevolent spirit. The film later spawned sequels and a 2024 remake.

Plot

The film follows Linda Brewster, who begins using a friend's Ouija board after a party and is soon harassed by a malevolent spirit. The haunting escalates into possession and violence.

Production and release

Witchboard was written and directed by Kevin Tenney and released in 1986. It is notable as Tenney's first feature film as a director.

Franchise

The original film led to sequels titled Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway and Witchboard III: The Possession. A later remake by Chuck Russell expanded the title's continued use in horror cinema.

Remake

A 2024/2025 supernatural horror film titled Witchboard was written and directed by Chuck Russell as a remake of the 1986 film. It is set in New Orleans and centres on a cursed spirit board.

Key facts

  • Witchboard was Kevin Tenney's directorial debut.
  • The story centres on college student Linda Brewster and a Ouija board left behind at a party.
  • The board becomes linked to the spirit of Carlos Malfeitor, a serial killer from the 1930s.
  • The film is part of the Witchboard franchise, which includes sequels released in 1993 and 1995.
  • A separate remake, also titled Witchboard, was released in 2025 after premiering in 2024.
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Canadian context

The title is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through the 1995 sequel Witchboard III: The Possession, which is identified as a Canadian horror film.

Frequently asked questions

What is Witchboard?
Witchboard is a 1986 American supernatural horror film about a woman who becomes haunted after using a Ouija board.
Who directed Witchboard?
It was written and directed by Kevin Tenney.
Who starred in Witchboard?
The film stars Tawny Kitaen, Stephen Nichols, and Todd Allen.
What is Witchboard about?
It follows Linda Brewster, who uses a friend's Ouija board and is later terrorized by the spirit of a serial killer.
Did Witchboard have sequels?
Yes. It was followed by Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway in 1993 and Witchboard III: The Possession in 1995.
Is there a remake of Witchboard?
Yes. Chuck Russell directed a remake titled Witchboard that premiered in 2024 and was released more widely in 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchboard
    Supports: 1986 film identity, director, cast, plot, and franchise context
  2. Wikipedia (Basque) — https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchboard
    Supports: Sequels and the 2024 remake in the Witchboard franchise
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/witchboard_2024
    Supports: 2025 release details for the remake, genre, and synopsis
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/witchboard/umc.cmc.6ny6b079l1vjbmdhi6wdjlkoo
    Supports: Remake runtime, director, cast, and general synopsis
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2256055/news/
    Supports: Remake relationship to the 1986 film and release timing