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Poltergeist II

Play trailer Poster for Poltergeist II PG-13 1986 1h 32m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer 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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Poltergeist II

Poltergeist II

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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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Critics Reviews

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Debra Oswald Sydney Morning Herald 11/03/2021
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. Go to Full Review
Alexander Walker London Evening Standard 11/03/2021
It's a tacky tale of terror. It creates no plausible atmosphere, but springs its shocks indiscriminately. Go to Full Review
Neil Jillett The Age (Australia) 11/03/2021
Not much of the first film's tincture of humor is revived, but most of the tiresome mumbo-jumbo routines get another going-over. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 10/08/2023
2/5
…Poltergeist II sticks closely to the first film’s structure, doing most of the same spooky things but not as well…. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 03/21/2023
1.5/4
Pretty lousy. Go to Full Review
Philip French Observer (UK) 11/03/2021
The original Steven Spielberg-Tobe Hooper Poltergeist was an effective shocker. Gibson's sequel is a maudlin, religiose affair. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ricardo D @RT43154676 17h Although not as grand as the first one, it remains a horror classic with special effects that were very good for the time. The plot loses its way compared to the original, causing the quality to drop—not to mention the eldest daughter, the fact that the spirits now speak, and Tangina appearing as a silly archaeologist with little reference to her powers; Taylor shows up without explanation, seemingly just so the story could include a Native American character. Despite everything that happened in the first film, Steven remains skeptical and cynical, making him annoying in many scenes. See more Anthony S @SpraAnt 3d Poltergeist 2 Struggles to recapture the charm of the first film. Heavily leaning on the foundation established in the last movie. While I do enjoy the practical effects, and even the actors at play, the dialog and story itself are really quite forced. See more Matty D @Matty927 Oct 25 Poltergeist II really has no reason to exist. Sure there were loose ends from the first film, but it had a more than satisfying ending. The trouble with this sequel is that it can’t seem to find a satisfying story and ends up throwing too many ideas into the kitchen sink. The script relies heavily on exposition and sequences held together by special effects. Thankfully, most of the original cast returns for this entry, maintaining continuity in our investment in the Freeling family and delivering solid performances. And yet, the Spielbergian charm and moments of humor in the midst of chaos are lost this time around. If you’re searching for a film with great special effects scares, Poltergeist II has loads of them. But if you’re looking for another tightly scripted story with loads of subtext, this isn’t it. At least, this sequel is far better than the remake of the original. See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Oct 20 Spielberg should sue. And I say Spielberg, because everyone knows he directed the original, not Hooper. This film is terrible, same actors, but without a story, script, or direction. As a fan of the original, you really want to like this. However, the terribleness of the film is just too overwhelming. Hard to believe that they kept churning out more after this. See more CodyZamboni Z @CodyZamboni Oct 18 I was a huge fan of Poltergeist, I saw the sequel when it came out in May 1986. I was hugely disappointed. The likeable Freeling family have become annoying bores. Battling a lame villain, and more annoying characters. Filled with embarrassing fx, and no scares, And the climatic visit to The Other Side , is so silly and ineptly designed and executed, it was comical. See more Michael R @RT80209567 Oct 18 I don't care what anyone says, this movie is equal to or even better than the original. See more Read all reviews
Poltergeist II

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Poltergeist II

Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Possessed Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Possessed 2:13 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Chainsaw Attack Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Chainsaw Attack 2:03 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Kane Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Kane 2:32 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Vomit From Hell Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Vomit From Hell 1:14 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Braces Attack Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Braces Attack 2:01 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Diane's Nightmare Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Diane's Nightmare 0:35 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - The Bottle Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - The Bottle 2:35 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Mind Control Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Mind Control 4:06 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Final Resting Place Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Final Resting Place 1:55 Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Good vs. Evil Poltergeist II: The Other Side: Official Clip - Good vs. Evil 2:09 View more videos
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Movie Info

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