Poltergeist II

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Poltergeist II

PG-13,

1986,

1h 32m,

Horror

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Watchlist

20%

56 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

20%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

35%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The Freelings have escaped their haunted house, which is now being studied by paranormal investigators, including shaman Taylor (Will Sampson). When Taylor realizes that the Beast, masquerading as the Rev. Kane (Julian Beck), knows where young Carol Anne Freeling (Heather O'Rourke) now lives, he goes to warn the family that their daughter is in danger again. To protect Carol, her father, Steve (Craig T. Nelson), and the rest of the family must plot to take down the Beast.

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Critics Consensus

They're back, but this hollow sequel retains none of the charm or suspense that made the original Poltergeist such a haunting specter.

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Debra Oswald

Sydney Morning Herald

Nov 3, 2021

1/5

The annoying thing is that the movie doesn't make sense. Poltergeist II doesn't stick to its own supernatural rules and leaves lots of loose ends waving in the breeze.

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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

Nov 3, 2021

It's a tacky tale of terror. It creates no plausible atmosphere, but springs its shocks indiscriminately.

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Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

Nov 3, 2021

Not much of the first film's tincture of humor is revived, but most of the tiresome mumbo-jumbo routines get another going-over.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Oct 8, 2023

2/5

…Poltergeist II sticks closely to the first film’s structure, doing most of the same spooky things but not as well….

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 21, 2023

1.5/4

Pretty lousy.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Nov 3, 2021

The original Steven Spielberg-Tobe Hooper Poltergeist was an effective shocker. Gibson's sequel is a maudlin, religiose affair.

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Theodore M

Feb 27, 2019

For sure worth watching. Highlights include the ending which is moving and has lots of nice ties off loose ends. The acting from the little girl is intense and often very realistic. Lowlights are the slapdash feeling to the middle of the film (hello random Native American man - goodbye random Native American man) and the lack of truly terrifying suspense. The film is quick, fun and scary though. The worm scene is memorable and haunting! Rev Kane is amazingly portrayed by the actor! His acting added a whole half stat to this review!

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Kylo S

Dec 16, 2018

Poltergeist 2 the Other Side, seemingly has no thought put into it and slaps no horror on to it.

Anakin W

Oct 10, 2018

Entertaining movie, but just made for cash.

Finn P

Sep 17, 2018

The concept here is decent: the family leaves their haunted past to live with grandma, where a terrifying apparition in the form of a truly creepy priest opens up familiar terrors. Sadly, it's sorely missing the deft script and direction touches of Spielberg and Hooper. Too many things don't make sense (Why does the dad suddenly not believe in the supernatural? What happened to the teenage daughter?), keeping the numerous moments of awesome horror somewhat hidden by poor execution & corniness.

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George S

May 23, 2018

Of course it's not the best movie ever (it's far from being), but it's even good. The first "Poltergeist" was not even a great movie, it did not scare as much as other horror movies (such as "The Shining"), but even had scenes that made us jump out of the chair; This movie has not had so many scares, the story was a bit strange and simple, but it's even good and I recommend it to fans of horror movies and fans of the first movie.

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Hagrid L

Mar 11, 2018

This movie has some GENUINELY terrific moments. Much of the time spent with the family before the horrors start is tremendous. The baddie has some great opening scenes and the idea of fleshing out this world to be a place where good and evil are at war is super fun. BUT the movie has no real story and not long into it, hijinks of horror become the narrative. It's hippy and shaman-style mythos becomes clunky and EMBARRASSING. By the end you ask, what have we gained from this? Sadly, not much.

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Brian Gibson

Director

JoBeth Williams

Diane Freeling

Craig T. Nelson

Steve Freeling

Julian Beck

Kane

Heather O'Rourke

Carol Anne Freeling

Oliver Robins

Robbie Freeling

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Synopsis

The Freelings have escaped their haunted house, which is now being studied by paranormal investigators, including shaman Taylor (Will Sampson). When Taylor realizes that the Beast, masquerading as the Rev. Kane (Julian Beck), knows where young Carol Anne Freeling (Heather O'Rourke) now lives, he goes to warn the family that their daughter is in danger again. To protect Carol, her father, Steve (Craig T. Nelson), and the rest of the family must plot to take down the Beast.

Director: Brian Gibson
Producer: Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Screenwriter: Mark Victor, Michael Grais
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Freddie Fields Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.8M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround

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