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The Frighteners
The Frighteners
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The Frighteners

The Frighteners

1996
Comedy, Suspense/Thriller
1h 50m
A psychic private detective who consorts with deceased souls becomes engaged in a mystery as members of the town community begin dying mysteriously... (imdb)

Directed by:

Peter Jackson

Screenwriter:

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh

Starring:

Michael J. Fox, Jake Busey, R. Lee Ermey, Jeffrey Combs, Chi McBride, Peter Jackson, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Troy Evans, Dee Wallace, Jim Fyfe

Genres:

Comedy, Suspense/Thriller, Fantasy, Horror

Countries:

New Zealand, USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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The Frighteners

1996
Comedy, Suspense/Thriller
1h 50m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 50.66% from 2403 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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johnnyzombieJohnnyZombie
Rated 15 Oct 2008
84
50th
Starts off with some excellent promise, but really goes on for too long. As usual, Jeffrey Combs's performance is one of the best things about this movie. He is amazing as an insane federal agent.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 08 Jun 2013
82
77th
How do you describe this tone? Le Grande Ole Guignol? Marquis de Blithe? The film is consistently unique, inventive, and entertaining, so I can hardly hate its minor issues. The climax in the hospital is a technical achievement in editing virtuosity. And I enjoyed the hell out of Jeffrey Combs performance. He seems to have distilled exactly what Jackson and Zemeckis intended for the film: a kind of slapstick, Andy Kaufman from Hell. Which we all know is good fun.
Rated 08 Jun 2013
ayavaronAyavaron
Rated 26 Feb 2010
80
83rd
This feels like a Paul Veerhoeven film. I want to compare it to Robocop. It was pretty much as good as Robocop and if you liked that, you'll probably like this. They have the same tone.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
spleenspleen
Rated 14 Aug 2009
99
99th
My favorite Peter Jackson, Michael j Fox and Trini Alvarado flick ever. Ok maybe my only Trini Alvarado flick.
Rated 14 Aug 2009
janusjanus
Rated 14 May 2009
70
52nd
An entertaining horror-comedy, slightly weakened by the occasional unnecessary crude joke. Danny Elfman's score lends Tim Burton-esque qualities to Jackson's similarly manic and breezy (yet commerical) direction. Jeffrey Combs elicits most of the film's big laughs. Some of the CGI effects haven't dated too well, but given that the film is nearly fifteen years old I'm surprised so many still hold up.
Rated 14 May 2009
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 19 Apr 2009
90
79th
Great work by Jackson and his WETA team!! With an extraordinary fabulous Combs. Definitely his best acting ever! Nearby a great sidekick by Full Metal Jacket hero Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Hilarious !! Love that movie, one of the best Jackson Flicks.
Rated 19 Apr 2009
jebJeb
Rated 31 Jul 2008
85
70th
A very jolly, mild and frightening Horror Comedy with good acting and an intelligent plot. One of my all-time favorite Jackson movies.
Rated 31 Jul 2008
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 22 Sep 2021
75
72nd
How did they get away with the line "I like it when they lie still like that." How?
Rated 22 Sep 2021
doyler29doyler29
Rated 29 Nov 2020
80
68th
Peter Jackson teamed with Robert Zemeckis to make this big budget film that starts out as a horror comedy, but gets increasingly dark and serious as it progresses. It was a commercial flop, which is a real shame because it's exactly the kind of movie Jackson is best at. Jeffrey Combs has a large supporting role as an FBI agent who specializes in the occult and he is ... something.
Rated 29 Nov 2020
kjettingkjetting
Rated 16 Sep 2014
77
63rd
Peter Jackson's Hollywood debut, and a really underrated horror comedy.
Rated 16 Sep 2014
paxtonPaxton
Rated 23 Jun 2014
95
95th
Aside from loving the tone, the cast, and pre epic Peter Jackson, this movie has two of my favorite speeches in horror history. Jeffrey Combs delivers his finest work in explaining Michael j. Fox's backstory. It transitions from the amusingly bizarre details of his own history to the horrific details of Fox's alleged murder seamlessly. The other speech that slays me is the old woman's account of her daughters involvement in a mass murder. It was Cold. Blooded. Murder.
Rated 23 Jun 2014
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 24 Aug 2013
75
70th
A very fun comedy horror with some good characters and good pace. I really enjoyed it, and doesn't feel like it's 2 hours long (directors cut).
Rated 24 Aug 2013
teckgeckoteckgecko
Rated 20 Jan 2012
55
11th
Starts out well and is pretty fun (Jeffrey Combs is especially great, coming off as a more restrained Jim Carey), but it's overlong and by the final act has gotten fairly predictable and kind of boring. The computer graphics don't help here either as they've aged quite poorly and add unintentional humor to the scenes that are supposed to more thrilling. If you can handle some gratuitously over-the-top gore and want to see a Peter Jackson horror/comedy done right, watch Dead Alive instead.
Rated 20 Jan 2012
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 05 Oct 2011
90
63rd
Pretty dang good! The Frighteners delivers a pretty great performance from Michael J. Fox and some awesome direction from Peter Jackson. Loved the story and the characters! Too hated by many in my opinion. It's entertaining and even funny, yet also serious. Worth a watch, and it's prefect for Halloween.
Rated 05 Oct 2011
doctor7doctor7
Rated 07 Aug 2011
75
62nd
A fun and comedic horror that Peter Jackson is famous for, well before Lord of the Rings obviously. Michael J. Fox really makes the movie worth a watch as the morally grey but strangely likeable protagonist. While The Frighteners isn't a great film by any means it's certainly an entertaining comedy with some real scares and neat special effects to boot.
Rated 07 Aug 2011
stoner38stoner38
Rated 25 Jan 2011
90
90th
Very underatted! Funny and spooky!
Rated 25 Jan 2011
jamesdepaolojamesdepaolo
Rated 07 Jun 2010
89
84th
a more adult Ghostbusters...this movie is a forgotten movie in the horror community and that is sad cause this movie is a classic.
Rated 07 Jun 2010
grindhousex3GrindhouseX3
Rated 13 Jan 2010
100
88th
Forget Lord of the Rings, this is Peter Jackson's best! It's also the best movie about ghosts, and makes The Sixth Sense and The Grudge look like Disney movies. Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) can see and communicate with spirits, and he uses his ability to become a con man. He hires three spirits to haunt random houses, then he pretends to get rid of them for money. This works out great until an evil spirit starts killing everyone in his home town, and only he can stop it. A dark, gory comedy.
Rated 13 Jan 2010
fantacbobFantacBob
Rated 10 Jun 2009
30
3rd
Stupid.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 09 Feb 2009
75
84th
This movie deserves more accolades than it has received. I love the way they handle ghosts, and such an interesting script!
Rated 09 Feb 2009
miss_jesusmiss jesus
Rated 17 Apr 2008
90
92nd
There are some problems with the tone here and there, as the film shifts from horror to comedy or action. There are few moments where it seems like Jackson it trying to emulate some of Hollywood's worst habits. But it's got a really cool, unique story, a charismatic lead, and lots of twists and turns. Creepy too! Jeffrey Combs is also terrific.
Rated 17 Apr 2008
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 27 Aug 2007
75
72nd
John Astin's great in this, a great example of what ghostbuster's SHOULD have been. Peter jackson from when he was still a good director. toe knee :-)
Rated 27 Aug 2007
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
6
70th
Content-wise, it's a lot milder than Peter Jackson's older horror movies. But it retains a similar lighthearted, funny tone that keeps things more than lively, and hey, Michael J. Fox. Awesome.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 31 Mar 2007
80
68th
Unique, satisfying film. If you are fooled by the marketing baloney and expect a "straight" horror film you may be let down, but if you go in expecting a Peter Jackson film you may like it a lot better
Rated 31 Mar 2007
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 23 Oct 2023
79
67th
Extremely fun mid-90s film that at times feels like an '80s horror film (while at other times feeling very 90s.) The premise is fun and well executed and Jeffrey Combs steals the show as FBI agent Milton Dammers, giving a somewhat over the top but at other times hilariously subtle performance that elicits most of the big laughs. It's often a little facial expression or movement or something that's so funny. It's quite great. The CGI is very dated, but doesn't get in the way. Highly recommended.
Rated 23 Oct 2023
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 26 Mar 2023
75
49th
Michael J. Fox is good in the lead role in this film. The script has some good moments but also contains some material that has not aged well. Also one of the villains in the movie is to over the top and distracting. Overall I would recommend this film.
Rated 26 Mar 2023
wardenWarden
Rated 28 Dec 2022
52
11th
A boring "horror-comedy" that fails at both genres on their own and is even worse when trying them together.
Rated 28 Dec 2022
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 07 Oct 2022
50
8th
Ghostconteam+helpsghostwithwidow+becomesghosttobeatgrimreaperthing+meetsdeadwifebuthastogoback+girlchaseshimwithtowellikedeathlol
Rated 07 Oct 2022
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 23 Apr 2022
43
8th
An odd duck in Jackson’s filmography, almost the bridge between his earlier “gonzo” horror efforts and his later studio tentpole films; unfortunately pinches the worst of both worlds as he indulges in the worst of his schlocky impulses with the budget to run absolutely wild. Admittedly there is some imagination to the character design, but the hyper hopscotching between tones and characterisations ultimately become wearying. Cast is fairly insipid, with the exception of an unsettling Busey.
Rated 23 Apr 2022
jbynjbyn
Rated 29 Oct 2021
71
44th
I generally have trouble watching movies from the 90s. This was an exception for me. The Frighteners was fun to watch and had a great story.
Rated 29 Oct 2021
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
60
18th
????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
yiannosYiannos
Rated 24 Dec 2020
68
66th
Jackson's best Hollywood film, despite its contrivances and tonal problems. Fox works surprisingly well, and the sadistic duo have genuine menace. The effects are also impressive for their time and budget, and Combs is a hoot. Still wish Burton directed it though.
Rated 24 Dec 2020
gabrielpGabriel_p
Rated 06 Nov 2020
75
56th
After a solid first and second act, the third act feels rushed and all over the place. Still Michael J Fox is always a pleasure to watch, and the special effects are really good even by today's standards.
Rated 06 Nov 2020
juggernautrJuggernautR
Rated 23 Apr 2020
80
40th
One of Jackson's best films outside of LotR.
Rated 23 Apr 2020
solomonburrrSolomonBurrr
Rated 14 Apr 2020
72
59th
71.8
Rated 14 Apr 2020
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 31 Oct 2019
70
49th
This is quite a comical and wacky sci-fi/fantasy film. Its not really an especially scary film, although I suppose young kids may find some scenes frightening with the apparitions coming out of walls and floors etc. Its quirky and features some decent special effects for the time it dates from (1996). The plot I thought was quite intriguing and while it did feel a little predictable, I found it overall a relatively engrossing watch, so I'd recommend it.
Rated 31 Oct 2019
majid1989majid1989
Rated 21 Jun 2017
16
2nd
بعد دیدن فیلم فقط فکر می کنم با این فیلم چرت چه جوری به پیتر جکسون اعتماد کردن برای ارباب حلقه ها
Rated 21 Jun 2017
bjoerntsbjoernts
Rated 23 Dec 2016
89
54th
Surprisingly good and funny, too. Was surprised to see Michael J. Fox starring. The special effects are mostly pretty bad. But when they're good, they're really good. Decently entertaining flick by pre-LotR Peter Jackson.
Rated 23 Dec 2016
theescapistTheEscapist
Rated 31 Oct 2015
73
65th
Pretty good. It's entertaining, funny and has its own style. The writing, acting, effects and cinematography are all quite original and I can only praise it for being unique. Some very memorable scenes, characters and performances (Combs in particular). Fun, light-hearted entertainment.
Rated 31 Oct 2015
bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 29 Oct 2015
40
33rd
This is sooooooooo dated.
Rated 29 Oct 2015
dunbardunbar
Rated 05 Jun 2015
75
61st
It has a few weaknesses in the script (predictability) and in the CGI (dated), but for the most part there's a nice mix of comedy and spooks in this one. Michael J. Fox works well within the offbeat humour that Peter Jackson dishes out.
Rated 05 Jun 2015
braddad68braddad68
Rated 26 Aug 2014
92
65th
Glad I rewatched this one. I have a new appreciation for it. Michael J Fox stars as a paranormal investigator/exterminator/con-man. It actually pulls off the horror/comedy/action genre perfectly. Great music throughout too, for a fun time. If you like Ghostbusters, you should like this one.
Rated 26 Aug 2014
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 11 Jul 2014
70
56th
Pretty fun little horror comedy even though it's not very scary or laugh out loud funny. I take that back, Jake Busey is pretty frightening.
Rated 11 Jul 2014
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 24 Jun 2014
79
88th
Dee Wallace goodness
Rated 24 Jun 2014
thehynesthehynes
Rated 14 May 2014
25
1st
low quality crud
Rated 14 May 2014
teenwolfteenwolf
Rated 16 Feb 2014
70
4th
m.j. fox my menn :)
Rated 16 Feb 2014
johnnyw2001JohnnyW2001
Rated 12 Jan 2013
70
31st
Really good fun, but doesn't really hold up to repeated viewing because of the slightly dishonest opening.
Rated 12 Jan 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 30 Dec 2012
70
39th
70.000
Rated 30 Dec 2012
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 06 Dec 2012
62
53rd
The fact that the names of Zemeckis and Fox comes first, fortunately, brings a high concept form but not a light mainstream touch to Jackson's weird terrain of funny scares and cartoonish violence. That said, and with this trio together, this should've been at least more entertaining.
Rated 06 Dec 2012
michaelhash2michaelhash2
Rated 06 Nov 2012
70
10th
70.000
Rated 06 Nov 2012
filliganFilligan
Rated 04 Nov 2012
73
28th
I got a fun Beetlejuice vibe from this film. A supernatural comedy that isn't afraid to be dark and goofy at the same time. The practical special effects are pretty stupendous; some had me scratching my head, and while others can look more dated, it gives the film a certain humanity. A nice screenplay that doesn't dip into by-the-numbers territory very often too, and who doesn't like Michael J. Fox?
Rated 04 Nov 2012
michaelhashMichaelhash
Rated 31 Oct 2012
70
7th
70.000
Rated 31 Oct 2012
orangeamelOrangeAmel
Rated 25 Sep 2012
85
82nd
Wanting to see if one of my favourite childhood movies is really so good as I remembered it, I stayed in front of the TV set to watch it. The impression: genuinely brilliant,fun and scary at the same time! The extra well made mix of those features guarantees the enjoyment. Special effects are really good regarding the year of the production,too. If you miss movies from the era, when the plot and not erotic scenes were needed to bring a success to the production,don't hesitate and watch this one!
Rated 25 Sep 2012
knackysKnackys
Rated 23 Sep 2012
50
46th
You should watch the Director's Cut.
Rated 23 Sep 2012
hotsakehotsake
Rated 11 Jul 2012
80
93rd
This is a fun Sunday afternoon popcorn film. The effects are a little dated and it suffers a bit from Jackson's usual bad editing and camera work from this time period. Michael J Fox does his thing well and Jeffrey Combs is at his creepy best.
Rated 11 Jul 2012
mervtaylorMerv_Taylor
Rated 16 Jun 2012
85
58th
Uneven but very fun. Jeffrey Combs is a fantastic actor
Rated 16 Jun 2012
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 10 Mar 2012
75
62nd
I thought this was pretty entertaining. Certainly not Jackson's best, but it does what he wanted. Fox does a good job and the ghosts are funny.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 29 Nov 2011
60
13th
Although it was a truely original horror comedy with cool special effects and 2 AWESOME badguys (the serial killer and the bad cop), it wasn't my cup of tea because of the randomness of most events and storyline. Also I didnt like the acting. Maybe it's something personal.
Rated 29 Nov 2011
troothTrooth
Rated 14 Nov 2011
62
34th
Well it definitely frightened me as a kid. For anyone thinking this will harken back to Peter Jackson's days of making movies like Dead Alive/Braindead, you might be disappointed. It's not really as funny or over-the-top violent as that movie, but it's still decent.
Rated 14 Nov 2011
kingcautiKingCauti
Rated 16 Sep 2011
72
63rd
Hilarious, exciting and unique. Fox is good. And Combs was phenomenal!!
Rated 16 Sep 2011
kojilessKojiless
Rated 21 Aug 2011
54
59th
Don't even get me started on the convenient randomness of how ghosts in this movie react to matter.
Rated 21 Aug 2011
redfalconRed_Falcon_
Rated 08 Jun 2011
75
73rd
A well done film that did a nice job of balancing both the comedy and horror aspects of this movie.This had all around good acting that was purposefully bad and over the top at times.The campy action and absurd use of weapons was especially funny.
Rated 08 Jun 2011
davisty69davisty69
Rated 24 Apr 2011
80
41st
Michael j fox... no too bad
Rated 24 Apr 2011
glmglm
Rated 02 Jan 2011
70
44th
69.500
Rated 02 Jan 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2010
66
51st
Entertaining little horror comedy and I will take whatever Michael J. Fox I can get.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
domahdomah
Rated 11 Jul 2010
70
46th
Entertaining
Rated 11 Jul 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 14 Jun 2010
4
56th
Very good cast (especially Busey / Combs / Fox). Also very much the point when Peter Jackson wanted to disguise his horror / gross out beginnings in a family comedy form and this mix makes it one of my favorites of the 90s.
Rated 14 Jun 2010
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 21 Dec 2009
77
41st
Not bad, but not that great, either.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
pepsi_manPepsi-Man
Rated 29 Sep 2009
2
39th
I enjoyed it, but it's very weird and uneven. Has some impressively directed sequences and some very nice special effects though. It just doesn't seem sure of what it wants to be.
Rated 29 Sep 2009
michaelsykesmichaelsykes
Rated 11 Aug 2009
85
80th
Excitement, fun and terror in equal parts.
Rated 11 Aug 2009
lphovercraftLPhovercraft
Rated 15 Mar 2009
43
30th
Fox's amiable screen personality carries this uneven blend of _Ghostbusters_ and _Beetlejuice_. It's neither as funny nor scary as it's intended to be, but it is diverting.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
cthululawcthululaw
Rated 08 Feb 2009
90
91st
fantastic balance of humor and real chills
Rated 08 Feb 2009
isobelmoonIsobelmoon
Rated 03 Feb 2009
79
79th
One of my favorites ghosts stories.
Rated 03 Feb 2009
biedronskiBiedronski
Rated 30 Dec 2008
82
77th
Fun, spooky, and just great. Jake Busey makes an excellent psychopath. And some of the effects of the reaper moving through walls and so on were really cool.
Rated 30 Dec 2008
qwertyuiopqwertyuiop
Rated 01 Dec 2008
100
50th
really good
Rated 01 Dec 2008
cultofsamecult_of_same
Rated 15 Nov 2008
40
44th
I actually jumped.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 23 Sep 2008
85
84th
Great one by Peter Jackson. I like it much better than his older ones.
Rated 23 Sep 2008
zombiezeuszombiezeus
Rated 27 Aug 2008
70
38th
It's a mess, but a fun one.
Rated 27 Aug 2008
psychedelicrpsychedelicr
Rated 05 Jul 2008
70
50th
Such a great Jackson gem!
Rated 05 Jul 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 14 Jun 2008
88
96th
Great
Rated 14 Jun 2008
seraph1mseraph1m
Rated 11 Jun 2008
78
48th
Decent enough specialfx, probably fox's best role to date
Rated 11 Jun 2008
rrevellrrevell
Rated 15 May 2008
89
68th
Hilarious, well done. Loved the cameo by Gunny Sgt. Hartman.
Rated 15 May 2008
elfflameElfflame
Rated 13 Apr 2008
85
78th
A nice murder mystery/ghost story. One of my favorite comedy/thrillers.
Rated 13 Apr 2008
caimancaiman
Rated 14 Mar 2008
86
82nd
Not one of Jackson's best movies, but nevertheless one of the more original horror comedies to come out in the 90s. It's sad that Michal J. Fox wasn't able to do much more acting after this. I really like the guy.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
bluekittybluekitty
Rated 09 Nov 2007
95
96th
One of my favorite movies.
Rated 09 Nov 2007
gemmillGemmill
Rated 03 Nov 2007
85
63rd
A great horror-comedy, with just enough horror to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Rated 03 Nov 2007
oolookittyoolookitty
Rated 24 Oct 2007
85
69th
Sadly neglected, fun little gem.
Rated 24 Oct 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
65
49th
Pretty fun ghost story
Rated 16 Sep 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 23 Aug 2007
87
89th
Very Good
Rated 23 Aug 2007
easydiffeasydiff
Rated 14 Aug 2007
66
69th
Whle having far fewer exploding heads than usual Peter Jackson fare, this charming little funny-horror does the trick.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mentoMento
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
80th
I liked how this capery japery movie about a con artist and his ghostly cohorts turns all Silent Hill about an hour in. Credit to PJ for not being able to keep "WHAT THE F@&! WAS THAT?" moments out of any his (older) movies for long.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cheesebadgerCheesebadger
Rated 07 Aug 2007
87
75th
A fun movie, too bad peter jackson doesn't make those anymore.
Rated 07 Aug 2007
lonercmlonercm
Rated 05 Mar 2007
80
43rd
It doesn't seem to work as well as it should, probably due to producer Zemeckis taking a lot of bite out of the material, but it's still very entertaining. Fox is surprisingly good, and Jeffrey Combs steals the show in his best role since Re-Animator.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 16 Feb 2007
50
35th
Could have been better.
Rated 16 Feb 2007
jackpulpJackPulp
Rated 31 Dec 2006
85
46th
when this movie comes on i gotta watch it...love micheal J fox and the movie is fun in the beggining then it gets scary and creppy its a good movie
Rated 31 Dec 2006
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 27 Dec 2006
100
97th
The lost Peter Jackson gem. This was a fun filled movie. Kudos to Michael J. Fox.
Rated 27 Dec 2006

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