The Frighteners
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- Trailer (01:59)
Movie Info & Cast
Synopsis
After a tragic car accident that kills his wife, a man discovers he can communicate with the dead, and he uses that gift to con people. However, when a demonic spirit appears, he may be the only one who can stop it from killing the living and the dead.
Cast
- Michael J. Fox
- Trini Alvarado
- Peter Dobson
- John Astin
- Jeffrey Combs
- Dee Wallace
- Jake Busey
- Chi McBride
- Jim Fyfe
- Troy Evans
Letterboxd User Reviews
3.5
118.9K
34.6K
27.8K
- Jan 12, 2023
literally like a living cartoon so unbelievably goofy i was having the time of my life
👽 Zara 👽We, as a people, have failed The Frighteners. Needs more attention. Worth it for an extra slimy Jeffrey Combs alone.
Trevor HendersonOct 6, 2022Spooktober III: The Haunting of the Blood October Man! That Jake Busey looks a bit much psychotic than his father – at least on this movie. One of those films that I've been hearing about for a long time and that many people have recommended to me. And, while it…
Rafael "Mister Movie" Jovine - Nov 2, 2022
Come back to us, PJ. Please.
Justin DeclouxMar 26, 2018This gothic horror-comedy Scooby-Doo mystery is clearly the movie Peter Jackson was born to make. Jeffery Combs is at his best since Re-Animator.
Evan “Raymond Gun-Virus” PincusMay 17, 2025Weird animated comic-horror hybrid of tones and styles happening here that frequently made me imagine Sam Raimi, Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis all teaming up to make a Ghostbusters sequel. Jackson is clearly having a lot of fun here with the gothic production design, the…
Josh Lewis - May 9, 2024
A ridiculously stupid & silly horror with the one & only Michael J. Fox, what’s not to love
HailliSep 12, 2021Peter Jackson's The Frighteners packs more excitement, suspense and heart in under 2 hours than his entire Hobbit series does in 8! So great watching the director's cut with Michelle and Sophie for our Haunted Sunday marathon. [Michelle's write-up]
Lou (rhymes with wow!)Aug 17, 2022What a ride ... as a paranormal scammer must get down to busy in order to clear his name and end his town's mysterious spree of deaths. "Tell me, why is it that you can see Ray and I can't? ... I was in an accident. A car accident... about five years ago. I don't know…
Justin Peterson
Queue Community Reviews
91%
Community 915
Top Reviews
- Erika Leigh Kuhl is "meh" onThe Frighteners
Very bizarre/original. The pacing was totally off and the editing/poor special effects really dragged down the film. Michael J Fox is excellent as is Dee Wallace but otherwise the film lacks a cohesiveness to tie everything together. Perhaps needed to be a mini series instead.
ChungiBoi likedThe FrightenersThe staples of Peter Jackson horror keep this film entertaining; with zany characters, dynamic cinematography, and just flat out weird moments. Unfortunately, the film goes on way too long and the twists aren’t especially rewarding. A fun watch but not particularly memorable
Nick Dubberly dislikedThe FrightenersI know everyone has to start somewhere, but after making this how the hell did any studio trust in him to make The LotR trilogy?! I know this came out in ‘96, but even by those standards the special effects are poor. I was just bored and it was at least 15 minutes too long.
- Figo Nyberg likedThe Frighteners
Goofy movie but I thought it was entertaining. Michael J Fox is a great actor and Peter Jackson did a great job producing and writing this story. One down side is that the CGI was pretty trash.
Jacob Hall likedThe FrightenersFun little horror comedy. For a Peter Jackson film I was expecting more cinematically, but the comedic parts of the movie make up for it. Overall solid 6.5/10. nothing crazy but worth watching
Yaya watched_neutraldThe Frightenersi hadn’t seen the comedy part so i was truly surprised by how much i found myself laughing with this movie it was weird and a little wacky, but i honestly enjoyed it
- Pennywise lovedThe Frighteners
Such a fun watch! Funny yet also good enough to be taken seriously as well. Stacked cast and great soundtrack. I don’t think I need to say anymore 😏 go watch!
LivinginaHC likedThe FrightenersThis was like the epitome of 90's camp. Honestly if the comedy parts were better written this would be a banger. I don't even care that the cgi is rough.
Lucy Lu likedThe FrightenersThat movie was hectic and completely insane. I love Michael J Fox man.. I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch something silly and ghostly.
Atom Users Reviews
Metacritic
Last year, I reviewed a nine-hour documentary about the lives of Mongolian yak herdsmen, and I would rather see it again than sit through The Frighteners.
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
A dreary, needlessly violent and ugly comic thriller about a psychic hustler (Michael J. Fox) who gets more than he bargained for with his latest scam. Fox seems to be trying to get hip in the movies, and he's lost his way here.
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Frighteners (1996) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as R, meaning that Under 17 requires an adult accompaniment.
How long is The Frighteners (1996)?
The movie is 1hr 50min long.
What's The Frighteners (1996) about?
After a tragic car accident that kills his wife, a man discovers he can communicate with the dead, and he uses that gift to con people. However, when a demonic spirit appears, he may be the only one who can stop it from killing the living and the dead.
Who's the cast of The Frighteners (1996)?
- Michael J. Fox as Frank Bannister
- Trini Alvarado as Lucy Lynskey
- Peter Dobson as Ray Lynskey
- John Astin as The Judge
- Jeffrey Combs as Milton Dammers
- Dee Wallace as Patricia Bradley
- Jake Busey as Johnny Bartlett
- Chi McBride as Cyrus
- Jim Fyfe as Stuart
- Troy Evans as Sheriff Perry
Who's the director behind The Frighteners (1996)?
Peter Jackson directed The Frighteners (1996).
Who produced The Frighteners (1996)?
Jamie Selkirk produced The Frighteners (1996).
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