Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: May 22, 2015
3.6
USER SCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 265 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
42
Mixed:
93
Negative:
130
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2
IceShardMay 25, 2015
The whole Modernizing of the movie makes it worse. The Teenage girl is very annoying complaining all the time. The CGI was horrible. As-well I'm not sure if this even a horror movie. The 2 scariest things where this one jump scare and theThe whole Modernizing of the movie makes it worse. The Teenage girl is very annoying complaining all the time. The CGI was horrible. As-well I'm not sure if this even a horror movie. The 2 scariest things where this one jump scare and the CGI squirrel. This movie had no rime or reason to be made. Much prefer the original. It gets 1 point for Sam Rockwell, and 1 point for the fact that it looked like the tried. Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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TheKavehJDec 22, 2015
My review does not contain spoilers, I clicked that by accident. Here it is --- I have too many problems with this movie. First of all, it was just like the original. I mean, I understand it's a remake, but changing 3 things about it is notMy review does not contain spoilers, I clicked that by accident. Here it is --- I have too many problems with this movie. First of all, it was just like the original. I mean, I understand it's a remake, but changing 3 things about it is not enough. You need to change a lot about it, and not make viewers think that they're watching the original. Secondly, the actors just give up on acting. Sam Rockwell tries so hard, but his acting just doesn't work for the film. The wife can't even act, and the kids sound like they're reading the script for the first time. The directing is less than average, and I'm surprised a studio like 20th Century Fox would even supervise this film. Making the same film that came out 20 years ago, just with flat-screens, is not OK. Third, the film just isn't scary. I am always scared during horror films, but the only part I was scared at was the clown scene. Finally, you shouldn't waste your money on this film. You will be as disappointed as me and the other reviewers are. It is a waste of time, and you'll be sleeping more than watching the film. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
freeling10May 30, 2016
After a string of lackluster "reboots" of beloved favorite films (Robocop, Nightmare on Elm Street, Carrie, and the rest), I was dubious about this one from the beginning. The original is a contemporary classic that was groundbreaking for itsAfter a string of lackluster "reboots" of beloved favorite films (Robocop, Nightmare on Elm Street, Carrie, and the rest), I was dubious about this one from the beginning. The original is a contemporary classic that was groundbreaking for its time, and as long as you can ignore Beatrice Straight's gargantuan early '80s eyeglasses, it holds up well even today and never feels overly dated.

So I had little hope or much anticipation for this prospect. The trailer increased my curiosity level, though, and I allowed myself some excitement at the modernization possibilities, at the very least. Poltergeist with smart-phones, 24-hour TV and (hopefully) well-utilized CGI might possibly have potential, I thought. I was intrigued enough to postpone passing judgment prematurely. As Mickey and Mallory said, "Well, let's give that key lime pie a day in court."

That said, I was unprepared for just how bad this movie is, on so many levels. Poltergeist (2015) is dull, listless, unimaginative, devoid of style, charmless, pedestrian, slapdash and everything that's truly terrible about run-of-the-mill. From a creative standpoint, decisions were made which inexplicably ignored and/or subverted precise factors which made Poltergeist (1982) such a success. Detailed, authentic characters from the first movie -- a family that inspired audiences to root for and care about them -- are replaced here by a bland bunch of nondescript losers who barely merit attention.

Similarly, the spirit and sensibility of the original film has no echo here; tonally, this narrative is by-the-numbers, managing to somehow feel both too rushed and yawn-inducing simultaneously. Moreover, the evocative richness of the '82 version -- the house, the neighborhood, the entire milieu -- is now just a standard fare. The house is flat and featureless; the suburb itself feels neither sinister nor supernatural. In fact, nothing much in this movie feels like anything at all.

It's hard to fathom why such crucial elements have been handled so clumsily and, more to the point, why this "reboot" was realized with complete disregard for the very elements which made 1982's Poltergeist so enduringly iconic.
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ThatsliamMay 30, 2015
Honestly would have been better as a comedy and it was so meh that it was more scary when the ads started blablablablabla I'm filling space. Yoloyoloyolo hipsters bad child actors I like Pepsi yum yum budget 99cents I'm going to vomit now
0 of 6 users found this helpful06
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3
ReysonPointJun 7, 2015
The 2015 Reboot of Poltergeist is a great example of why some movies are better to be left alone. Especially when it’s a great one, such as the 1982 original horror classic, Poltergeist directed by Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) andThe 2015 Reboot of Poltergeist is a great example of why some movies are better to be left alone. Especially when it’s a great one, such as the 1982 original horror classic, Poltergeist directed by Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and produced by the iconic Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, Jaws, Indian Jones).

The original film had great characters, great filmmaking, and most importantly great scares. Pretty much all the things the things that this reboot did not have.

Now, the first part of this film is the introduction of the Bowen family. Once they set the stage for the family, we quickly learned how the father, played by actor Sam Rockwell (The Way Way Back, Moon, Iron Man 2) was laid off from his old job, forcing the family to move to a new house. As the film develops we learned how both parents are unemployed and struggling financially. We have the mom played by actress Rosemarie Dewitt (Your Sister’s Sister, Promised Land) who is a frustrated writer and then we have her three kids. The oldest is Kendra Bowen played by Saxon Sharbino (Touch, Julia X) who plays the cliché rebellious daughter, the second character Griffin Bowen, is played by Kyle Catlett (The Following) who is the middle child that no one believes, and is always scared, and then we have the youngest, Madison Bowen played by Kennedi Clements (Jingle all the Way 2) who talks to her imaginary friend and eventually gets abducted by the evil ghosts. The acting in this film was one of the worst things of the entire film. I would even go as far as to say that Saxon Sharbino was one of the most annoying characters of the entire year. Every line that came out of her mouth, made me want to leave the theater. Then, we have Kennedi Clements who plays the little girl who gets abducted. She came across as annoying and unpleasant. This was definitely one character that was better in the original. Heather O’Rourke played the original character and she was also one of the best parts of the original film that gave the audience a charming performance.

Aside from the characters, let’s talk about the movie as a whole. This is a film that should’ve never gotten a reboot and what they did here just did not work. Director Gil Kenan (City of Ember, Monster House) tried to make the same film that Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper made in 1982, but instead he made a movie that was unable to scare or connect with the audience. The script for this film had countless problems and moments of me rolling my eyes due to how stupid it made everyone sound. Then, we have multiple iconic scenes that were so well done and that scared audiences in the original that this time around, simply lacked emotion, horror, and consisted of too much CGI.

In conclusion this brand new take on Poltergeist simply did not do anything for me. This was a movie that had me checking my watch over and over and wanting the film to be over. In my eyes the original Poltergeist is the only Poltergeist. This is simply a forgettable flick and with that said, this is one of the worst movies so far, of the year.

Final Score: 3.1/10
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3
geo333Apr 15, 2016
The remake to the classic horror film continues recent trends of remakes in that is hard to match or even come close to the originals. With poor performances and scenes the "the horror film" is a disastrous attempt to replicate the raw of theThe remake to the classic horror film continues recent trends of remakes in that is hard to match or even come close to the originals. With poor performances and scenes the "the horror film" is a disastrous attempt to replicate the raw of the classic film. Expand
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2
PanchogulMar 31, 2020
Poltergeist (2015)

Remake del clásico de horror homónimo de 1982. No me gustó, entretenida a medias, uno que otro momento interesante, pero se siente muy poco entusiasta, sin alma, sin sentido del humor y personajes que dan pereza de solo
Poltergeist (2015)

Remake del clásico de horror homónimo de 1982.

No me gustó, entretenida a medias, uno que otro momento interesante, pero se siente muy poco entusiasta, sin alma, sin sentido del humor y personajes que dan pereza de solo verlos, sin duda es el segundo peor remake que he visto siendo superado por el de La Profecía del año 2006, fatal y lo que le sigue.

1.5 ⭐ de 5 ⭐
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1
Steven1981Mar 20, 2020
This is the remake of the 1982 horror classic directed by Tobe Hooper. However this family aren't the Freeling family in the original or even share the same names which is amusing since it's based on the original and don't give me some crapThis is the remake of the 1982 horror classic directed by Tobe Hooper. However this family aren't the Freeling family in the original or even share the same names which is amusing since it's based on the original and don't give me some crap story saying it isn't because we all know that's nonsense otherwise why name it Poltergeist? This remake made in 2015 stars Sam Rockwell, hold on one moment, Sam Rockwell is a terrible actor infact one of the worst I've seen as an actor, that's like having Daniel Craig in Poltergeist but he's a bit better but still not great. Stupid actors and actresses and a family called the Bowens instead of the Freelings lol. What kind of remake is this plus the girl who's meant to be Carol Ann is actually some girl named Madison with brown hair instead of blonde lol. There's this stupid scene in Poltergeist involving some drill or something and this remake was awful. Watch the original instead. Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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2
AmigianJun 19, 2015
What is going on?!!! Sam Raimi & Rob Tapert knows everyone loves Evil Dead, the classics with Bruce Campbell not the ultra-crud remake, so why do they produce dross like this knowing full well it is not what we want. Don't bother with thisWhat is going on?!!! Sam Raimi & Rob Tapert knows everyone loves Evil Dead, the classics with Bruce Campbell not the ultra-crud remake, so why do they produce dross like this knowing full well it is not what we want. Don't bother with this movie, that is the only way to send the message...and remember, YOU are making history!

All poltergeists are belong to us!
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3
MXMXVRGMSAug 1, 2015
The cast is good, the girl is a cute, the boy is ok, daddy and mom are perfect and everybody is wasted on this movie. This movie is a big lesson for all movie makers: don't remake classics again!
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3
KoperjanekMay 31, 2015
Just a bunch of predictable jump-scares i wasnt expecting much but even so i still was disappointed
The only way for this movie to get a 510 is in a scale where 1010 is salting your wounds
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3
RoraEstJun 28, 2015
I'm scared. Just a bit. Then, I realized watching marathon of walkthrough video games on Youtube is scarier than this one single remake movie. I adore the creepiness of this movie but it's not scary. I think the screenplay was trying to beI'm scared. Just a bit. Then, I realized watching marathon of walkthrough video games on Youtube is scarier than this one single remake movie. I adore the creepiness of this movie but it's not scary. I think the screenplay was trying to be like Insidious, that makes me feel common thing this day. Well, I appreciate they're not doing any sanatic. I enjoyed the movie to the end. Expand
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3
ydnar4Jun 24, 2015
Poltergeist is a remake of the 1982 film of the same name. I didn't have high hopes for this film from the beginning because Steven Spielberg is not involved after having a significant impact on the first film. I don't think anyone was askingPoltergeist is a remake of the 1982 film of the same name. I didn't have high hopes for this film from the beginning because Steven Spielberg is not involved after having a significant impact on the first film. I don't think anyone was asking for this movie because even the original film has grown old and doesn't seem as relevant as other horror films that are considered "classic". The 2015 version relies too much on the original and does not try to create its own legacy. Many scenes in the film are almost exactly the same. There are several cheap jump scares but none that make the film memorable. Sam Rockwell's performance was way to good for the film and this remake is not doing the original any favors. Expand
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1
UrbanlistenerNov 23, 2015
Two good things about this film : Sam Rockwell and Sam Rockwell. For the rest, this a shame to the original one. The movie is basically a short mess of laughably bad CGI.
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2
SanastusaMay 30, 2015
Went into the theater not trying to compare it to the 1982 Poltergeist which ended up not being difficult because it was horrible. As a horror movie I would hope to feel uneasy or jump a few times, the parts that were supposed to be scaryWent into the theater not trying to compare it to the 1982 Poltergeist which ended up not being difficult because it was horrible. As a horror movie I would hope to feel uneasy or jump a few times, the parts that were supposed to be scary were so poorly acted the thrill was lost. A smear of comedy was about the only thing that made the 1h and 33min movie bearable. Boring. Dull. Acting was crap. Meh. Expand
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2
LRBJRMay 28, 2015
If you haven't seen the original Poltergeist movie please, watch it. This remake is a horrible "copy" of the original which, is byfar one of the best ghost/fictional poltergeist movies ever made, besides the original movie called, Enity whichIf you haven't seen the original Poltergeist movie please, watch it. This remake is a horrible "copy" of the original which, is byfar one of the best ghost/fictional poltergeist movies ever made, besides the original movie called, Enity which is based on a true story. If you have seen the original Poltergeist movie, I will guarantee that this remake will not be worth your time to watch. Personally, I recommend EVERYONE to watch the original. I almost spent double the price to watch this in 3D and, I'm glad that I didnt. Expand
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3
ReapingCriticJun 4, 2015
Though there were a few points where I cringed in suspense, I was more scared by the previews than the film itself. The parts meant to be "scary", weren't directed well. I understand it's hard to make a decent horror film, and a movie is onlyThough there were a few points where I cringed in suspense, I was more scared by the previews than the film itself. The parts meant to be "scary", weren't directed well. I understand it's hard to make a decent horror film, and a movie is only as good as it's worst actor. Overall, this was a decent movie. I probably wouldn't watch it again, but if you're scared easily and don't want to have a heart attack, this movies for you. 3/10 Expand
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2
vuljamiJul 20, 2015
This is probably the most ridiculous horror film I have ever seen. It's filled with nonsense cliches and lacks structure and logic. All the intended jumpscares were predictable and there was no gloomy atmosphere at all. The acting is quiteThis is probably the most ridiculous horror film I have ever seen. It's filled with nonsense cliches and lacks structure and logic. All the intended jumpscares were predictable and there was no gloomy atmosphere at all. The acting is quite poor, too. If there's at least some little thing to give a quiet applause for, it's the decent creativity with the cameras. I kinda felt bad for laughing for the whole time, but it really works better as parody than horror. Expand
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1
JaxspazzJun 12, 2015
Horrific remake and an even worse film. The main problem with Poltergeist (1982) is... everything. The special effects come out of my video game console, the acting seems mostly cardboard throughout the entire thing and the dialogue isHorrific remake and an even worse film. The main problem with Poltergeist (1982) is... everything. The special effects come out of my video game console, the acting seems mostly cardboard throughout the entire thing and the dialogue is just... awful. It's not remotely believable. They keynotes and highlights of the original are quickly rushed into the audience's spotlight and are given nowhere near as much significance as the original. The composition on the film's score is just atrocious - I feel someone dub-step Youtuber could have done a much better job. Avoid this film. Expand
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1
RobertOBrienJul 3, 2015
This remake is exactly what I thought it would be. And that is bad. This is bad as a stand alone movie and a remake.
This movie has no character development, no plot development, no suspense, no atmosphere, no tension, and there is no stakes
This remake is exactly what I thought it would be. And that is bad. This is bad as a stand alone movie and a remake.
This movie has no character development, no plot development, no suspense, no atmosphere, no tension, and there is no stakes as to what is happening to these cardboard characters.
The modernization of this film only makes it harder to watch. When they used a god forsaken drone as one of the central plot-points, I contemplated walking out of the theatre. This movie has no reason to be shown in 3D, and when the 3D is actually utilized, it's obnoxious.

It's a shame, because the movie has a competent cast. But even with that, Saxon Sharbino, Rosemarie Dewitt and Jane Adams are the only cast members who have any of the charisma that the original film's cast had.

To put it in short, Poltergeist is a watered down, rushed and incompetent retelling of a much better film. The only updates to the story the film has are useless, and don't change enough from the original to be surprising to older audiences. The cast is fine, but the writing, the directing and the execution don't hold a candle to the original film. Even as a standalone story, the movie is a poorly directed and written ghost story, that will leave no impact on the viewer due to it's lack of character development, lack of suspenseful scenes, and lack of anything of substance. This remake blends into the crowd of current jumpscare heavy ghost films and will assuredly be forgotten very soon. Which is probably for the best.
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2
Digipunk-XSep 13, 2015
Couldn't watch it until the end, may be a good movie, but I doubt it...
The actors are unsympathetic and annoying as hell, especially the kid with the voice of a ring-tone, and being afraid of everything.
I was hyped when I saw Sam Rockwell
Couldn't watch it until the end, may be a good movie, but I doubt it...
The actors are unsympathetic and annoying as hell, especially the kid with the voice of a ring-tone, and being afraid of everything.
I was hyped when I saw Sam Rockwell starring, but even he couldn't manage to make something out of this "movie".
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2
EpicLadySpongeFeb 3, 2016
Whatever the original Poltergeist did outstanding, this Poltergeist comes to screw the original up to pieces and whine about more money to generate another remake popping out of our eyes.
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2
FuturedirectorMay 28, 2017
This new Poltergeist conserves the almost the same cleverness and mystery of its predecessors, but a predictable storytelling and excessive boo-scares (and also a surprisingly deficient script) ruin the conclusion. You'd really rather watchThis new Poltergeist conserves the almost the same cleverness and mystery of its predecessors, but a predictable storytelling and excessive boo-scares (and also a surprisingly deficient script) ruin the conclusion. You'd really rather watch the classic version. Expand
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0
HPFANBOY1237Apr 9, 2017
Not good at all, does not do original any favors. Not scary, almost exactly the same, this movie was pointless it shouldn't exist. A waste of time and money, don't even bother!
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1
fulci69wmFeb 10, 2018
Boring, I'm a big fan of the original movie. feels like this was a let's rip off this popular movie that we have never seen to make money. My girlfriend wanted me to watch it with her after I had already watched it, I told her if you make meBoring, I'm a big fan of the original movie. feels like this was a let's rip off this popular movie that we have never seen to make money. My girlfriend wanted me to watch it with her after I had already watched it, I told her if you make me watch this movie again I will leave you and never speak to you again. Expand
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3
FilipeNetoDec 17, 2018
This movie might just be a remake, but it's not. In fact, it seems to have taken very little from its predecessors in title. The script is banal: as it has happened in thousands of films before, a family with children moves to a new house,This movie might just be a remake, but it's not. In fact, it seems to have taken very little from its predecessors in title. The script is banal: as it has happened in thousands of films before, a family with children moves to a new house, acquiring without knowing the (not very encouraging) possibility of being frightened by an endless series of ghosts. Of course, children will be the preferred target of these ghosts, be it by the ingenuity or the effect that this can provoke in the public. Nothing new here. Equally unoriginal (we've seen something similar in "Insidious" or "The Conjuring"), the wardrobe in the girl's room is the most active place, eventually "devouring" one of the children. I will not talk more about what happens in this movie so I will not spoil. I just wanted to demonstrate that the film is a succession of cliches.

Gil Kenan's direction proved to be poor, fragile and did not seem to have been able to ask for the best of the actors and staff members. A lazy direction, which is content with the medium without pursuing excellence. The scares are scarce and predictable: objects that jump towards the display, snoring, scary noises and lights. I can say that I never felt truly frightened while watching the film. About the actors what can be said is that they seem to me to have tried to fulfill their role well, but they were not directed effectively. Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt fulfilled their roles, while the children (especially Kennedi Clements and Kyle Catlett) seem to have fully lived up to what was asked of them. Jared Harris and Jane Adams do not seem to have been good choices, a complete casting error.

This film is a far cry from the quality of the Poltergeist of the 1980s, and I do not know if it's honest to relate these films to this movie. This seems a bit too ambitious, even though they share the same name. Despite this, I have the feeling that it would have been better with a more creative script and a more demanding and skillful director.
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Hugi09Aug 5, 2019
C nul! C nul mais nul! Mauvais !!!! Ça n’a ni queue ni tête c n’importe quoi et bien sur ça fait pas peur!
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2
Dungeon00XNov 23, 2019
A shameless cash grab only made to hold on to the original film rights almost parodying how good the original was. When I was shown the first trailer, I was very skeptical. Then the girl got pulled up the stairs like a ragdoll and I couldn'tA shameless cash grab only made to hold on to the original film rights almost parodying how good the original was. When I was shown the first trailer, I was very skeptical. Then the girl got pulled up the stairs like a ragdoll and I couldn't stop laughing. I knew this was going to be garbage, even with the appearance of Jared Harris I knew where this movie was headed. I hope this serves as a lesson to other studios on what not to do with original films. Expand
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2
GalesApr 19, 2020
Filme horrível, personagens superficiais demais, história difícil de engolir e ambientação horrível
O mais assustador desse filme foram os personagens
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maskedrider29Oct 27, 2022
Poltergeist did not need to be remade, well I guess you can't really call this a remake, it's more of a... pile of crap!
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