Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 14, 2026 1/4

Even under the direction of so distinguished and experienced a movie man as Sidney Poitier, "Ghost Dad" simply doesn't shape up as a really professional entertainment.

Go to Full Review

Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Nov 18, 2022

It's embarrassing to watch, due to how bad it is. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Kathey Clarey Fresno Bee Aug 5, 2021

[The screenplay] veers all over the place from slapstick comedy to serious discussions to downright ickiness.

Go to Full Review

Dennis King Tulsa World Jul 9, 2014 1/4

As America's foremost TV dad, Heathcliffe Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Cosby is warm, wise and lovable. As Elliott Hopper, the overworked, unattentive dad in Ghost Dad, Cosby is, on the large screen, a mere shadow of his television presence.

Go to Full Review

John Ferguson Radio Times Apr 30, 2014 1/5

Cosby mugs away for all he's worth, but good gags are few and far between.

Go to Full Review

Brian Costello Common Sense Media Jul 16, 2013 3/5

Bill Cosby ghost movie has some iffy humor, profanity.

Go to Full Review

Ralph Novak People Magazine Jun 25, 2013

Why are Cosby and Poitier wasting their time -- and ours -- with this twaddle?

Go to Full Review

Peter Rainer Los Angeles Times May 21, 2013 1.5/5

I suppose you can't blame the star of one of TV's most popular series for attempting to conquer the movies -- yet again. What's perplexing is that Cosby keeps choosing vehicles that seem designed to sabotage the conquest.

Go to Full Review

John Hartl Seattle Times May 21, 2013 1.5/4

Ghost Dad may be the dumbest major-studio movie of this none-too-bright summer.

Go to Full Review

Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer May 21, 2013 2/4

The comedy represents a step up from the inane debacle of Leonard Part 6, but one has to concede that no other direction was possible.

Go to Full Review

Gary Thompson Philadelphia Daily News May 21, 2013 1.5/4

Ghost Dad is so bad, it's scary.

Go to Full Review

Candice Russell South Florida Sun-Sentinel May 21, 2013

Solve this show business mystery: How is it that the greatly gifted Bill Cosby, a comedy guru with few peers, makes bad movies? The latest entry on his depressing film resume is Ghost Dad.

Go to Full Review

Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel May 21, 2013 2/5

When a picture's biggest selling point is that it's risque by kiddie standards, that doesn't say much for its overall quality.

Go to Full Review

Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune May 21, 2013 1/4

Poitier's rhythms are so sluggish that the film's finale seems to have been optically speeded up in a last-ditch attempt to give the picture some dash and energy.

Go to Full Review

Brian Orndorf BrianOrndorf.com Jun 28, 2010 F

Just depressing and incompetently assembled, reaching for a madcap mood of paranormal activity that results in one long headache. I now see why Poitier never directed again and Cosby refused another leading role in a feature film.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jul 4, 2005 2/5

Go to Full Review

Daniel M. Kimmel Worcester Telegram & Gazette Mar 24, 2005 2/5

Go to Full Review

Austin O'Connor Lowell Sun Jun 4, 2004 0/5

Go to Full Review

Rebecca Murray About.com Oct 1, 2003 1/5

Go to Full Review

Vincent Canby New York Times May 20, 2003

Unctuous, flat and phony, a farce that has the pace of a Broadway bus at rush hour.

Go to Full Review