10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Poltergeist (2015)

Description: The Sixth Sense and Poltergeist (2015) both deal with the theme of communication with the dead, particularly through children who can see and interact with spirits. Both films blend family drama with supernatural horror, creating emotional depth alongside the scares. The revelation of hidden truths is a key element in both stories.

Fact: The line 'I see dead people' was voted the 44th greatest movie quote by the American Film Institute. Bruce Willis agreed to a lower salary in exchange for a percentage of the box office, which paid off handsomely. Director M. Night Shyamalan was only 28 when he made the film.

Description: The Others, like Poltergeist (2015), is a supernatural thriller that plays with the idea of a haunted house and the presence of unseen entities. Both films involve children who are sensitive to the supernatural and a mother trying to protect her family from inexplicable phenomena. The atmospheric, slow-building tension is a shared characteristic.

Fact: The Others was filmed almost entirely in natural light or candlelight to maintain authenticity. Nicole Kidman's performance earned her widespread acclaim. The film's twist ending is considered one of the best in horror cinema.

Description: The Ring shares with Poltergeist (2015) the theme of a curse that affects families, particularly children. Both films involve investigative elements as the protagonists try to uncover the truth behind supernatural occurrences. The visual style of both films creates a pervasive sense of dread and unease.

Fact: The Ring is a remake of the Japanese film Ringu. The iconic image of Samara crawling out of the TV was achieved using a body double and reverse footage. The film's success sparked a wave of American remakes of Asian horror films.

Description: The Amityville Horror, like Poltergeist (2015), is a haunted house story where a family is terrorized by malevolent spirits. Both films depict the gradual escalation of supernatural events, starting with subtle disturbances and culminating in life-threatening situations. The theme of a house with a dark history affecting its new inhabitants is central to both.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1979 classic, both based on the allegedly true events of the Lutz family. The real Amityville house still stands and is a popular tourist attraction. Ryan Reynolds, known for his comedic roles, took a dramatic turn as the possessed George Lutz.

Description: The Grudge, like Poltergeist (2015), features a supernatural entity tied to a specific location that terrorizes anyone who comes into contact with it. Both films involve families being torn apart by vengeful spirits, with the horror stemming from the violation of the home as a safe space. The non-linear storytelling in The Grudge adds to the disorienting horror, similar to Poltergeist's escalating scares.

Fact: The Grudge is another American remake of a Japanese horror film (Ju-On). The creepy croaking sound made by Kayako was created by recording the vocal cords of a dying woman. The film was shot in Japan, with much of the crew from the original Ju-On films.

Description: Paranormal Activity and Poltergeist (2015) both focus on a suburban household besieged by supernatural forces, with the horror escalating over time. Both films use the home as a setting for terror, playing on the fear of the familiar becoming threatening. The found-footage style of Paranormal Activity creates a similar sense of realism and immediacy as Poltergeist's more traditional approach.

Fact: Paranormal Activity was made on a budget of just $15,000 but grossed over $193 million worldwide. The film was shot in the director's own home. Many of the scares were improvised, with the actors genuinely unaware of what would happen next.

Description: Like Poltergeist (2015), The Conjuring is a supernatural horror film that revolves around a family experiencing terrifying paranormal activities in their home. Both films feature malevolent spirits and the involvement of paranormal investigators to combat the haunting. The themes of family vulnerability and the intrusion of the supernatural into domestic spaces are central to both movies.

Fact: The Conjuring is based on the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, famous paranormal investigators. The film was so intense that it received an R rating simply for being 'too scary,' not for gore or language. Director James Wan used practical effects to create many of the scares, enhancing the film's authenticity.

Description: Sinister shares with Poltergeist (2015) the theme of a family moving into a new home only to discover it is plagued by supernatural forces. Both films explore the horror of uncovering dark secrets tied to a location, with the protagonists' children being particularly vulnerable to the evil entities. The atmospheric tension and jump scares are stylistic similarities.

Fact: Sinister's creepy home videos were inspired by real snuff films. The film's antagonist, Bughuul, is based on a Pagan deity. Ethan Hawke's character was originally written as a much less sympathetic figure, but Hawke's portrayal added depth.

Description: The Babadook shares with Poltergeist (2015) the theme of supernatural forces preying on a vulnerable family, particularly affecting a child. Both films explore the psychological toll of dealing with the paranormal, blurring the lines between real and imagined horrors. The monstrous entities in both films serve as metaphors for deeper familial tensions and traumas.

Fact: The Babadook became an unlikely LGBTQ icon after the film was mistakenly listed under 'LGBT movies' on Netflix. The creature's design was inspired by Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera and Nosferatu. Director Jennifer Kent funded the film through an Australian government grant for first-time filmmakers.

Description: Ouija: Origin of Evil and Poltergeist (2015) both involve families unknowingly inviting supernatural forces into their homes through seemingly harmless means (a ouija board and a TV, respectively). Both films feature young girls who become conduits for malevolent spirits, with the horror intensifying as the family tries to save them. The period setting of Ouija adds a unique twist to the familiar haunted house formula.

Fact: Despite being a prequel, Origin of Evil is considered superior to the original Ouija film. Director Mike Flanagan included homages to classic horror films like The Exorcist. The film's 1960s setting was meticulously recreated, down to the vintage camera lenses used for shooting.