Ghost Story

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Ghost Story

R

1981

1h 50m

Horror

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

28%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Every year, four affluent old friends -- Ricky Hawthorne (Fred Astaire), Sears James (John Houseman), Dr. John Jaffrey (Melvyn Douglas) and Edward Wanderley (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) -- meet to tell ghost stories. When one of Wanderley's sons dies mysteriously the day before his wedding, and the ghostly apparition of a beautiful woman appears on the ice, the four old friends have no choice but to piece together one last story -- this one more terrifying than all the others, because it is true.

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Critics Consensus

Director John Irvin wastes the efforts of a tremendously talented cast, making this one Ghost Story that deserves to be drowned out by boos.

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

Sep 19, 2021

The transformation of "Ghost Story" from novel to film is this year's best example of why some writers hate to see their books made into movies.

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

Sep 19, 2021

Director John Irvin, so good at the intricacies of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" has come a cropper here.

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Sumner Rand

Orlando Sentinel

Sep 19, 2021

4/4

"Ghost Story" is just what its title says it is, a ghost story, and a humdinger of a ghost story at that.

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Nov 6, 2024

2.5/4

If Ghost Story has one thing going for it, it’s the film’s ability to develop and sustain a powerful and compelling atmosphere. Unfortunately, the rushed screenplay disallows viewers the opportunity to fully absorb it.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 14, 2023

2.5/4

An OK film adaptation whose primary point of interest is its collection of superlative seniors in the leading roles.

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Phil Edwards

Starburst

Jul 28, 2022

The printed word doesn't necessarily translate well to the screen and the overall effect is bitty and therefore unsatisfying.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Ghost story = A *2* star movie!

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Fredric D.

@fudreport Jun 19, 2026

As has been noted many times before, this is a genuinely AWFUL film.

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Farah R.

@Farah Apr 15, 2026

A fascinating story is lost in a poor adaptation, as Ghost Story tries to portray a tale best viewed in readers’ minds. The film is slow, boring, and dull to the last minute.

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Ariel M

@ArielM Dec 22, 2025

What a waste of talent. This film is insufferable. Don't waste your time (which is limited on this Earth).

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Jonathan F

@Arcradia Nov 14, 2025

A classic certainly one of my favourite 1980s Horror Movies that made me jump when I first watched it so I am certainly going to leave a positive review about this movie. It starts out as four men hold a secret from the past of a beautiful young lady called Eva Gallow they accidentally kill and keep the secret to themselves years later Eva Gallow comes back for revenge. This movie ends up being in my top 20 Horror Movies due to the fact I like the Tension , plot and it gave me a couple of scares. Movie Quote I will take you places you have never been and I will show you things you have never seen then I will watch the life run out of you !

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Brad C.

@blcstine Oct 21, 2025

A classic; a simple story and good script; great actors

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John Irvin

Director

Fred Astaire

Ricky Hawthorne

Melvyn Douglas

Dr. John Jaffrey

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Edward Charles Wanderley

John Houseman

Sears James

Alice Krige

Eva Galli

Ghost Story: Official Clip - Eva's Revenge

3:40

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Ghost Story: Offical Clip - Drowned in the Lake

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - You Won't Live Forever

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - Ghostly Heart Attack

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - A Dance With Death

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - Bridge Of Death

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - Frozen Doom

1:15

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - The Cold Woman

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - I Want You Now

1:26

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Ghost Story: Official Clip - John's Nightmare

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Synopsis

Every year, four affluent old friends -- Ricky Hawthorne (Fred Astaire), Sears James (John Houseman), Dr. John Jaffrey (Melvyn Douglas) and Edward Wanderley (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) -- meet to tell ghost stories. When one of Wanderley's sons dies mysteriously the day before his wedding, and the ghostly apparition of a beautiful woman appears on the ice, the four old friends have no choice but to piece together one last story -- this one more terrifying than all the others, because it is true.

Director: John Irvin
Producer: Burt Weissbourd, Douglas Green
Screenwriter: Lawrence D. Cohen
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 50m

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