Poltergeist: A Horror Classic of 1982 that Continues to Haunt Fans

Poltergeist, a horror film that hit theaters in 1982, quickly became a fan favorite for many viewers. Despite initially scaring audiences with its chilling storyline, the film went on to spawn three sequels, solidifying its place in horror film history. Even though it may not have ranked as high as some may have expected, coming in at number 80 on Rolling Stone's list of the 101 best horror films of all time is still quite an impressive feat.

The plot of Poltergeist follows the Feeling family as they begin to experience paranormal activity in their home. What starts out as seemingly harmless encounters with friendly ghosts quickly takes a terrifying turn when their daughter, Carol Anne, is kidnapped by these malevolent spirits and taken to another dimension. The ghosts believe that she is the key to their salvation, and it's up to the family to rescue her with the help of a benevolent ghost.

Directed by Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist also had the added influence of Steven Spielberg, who served as a producer and writer on the project. There have been rumors that Spielberg actually took over a significant portion of the directing duties due to disagreements with Hooper, but these claims have been refuted by Spielberg and the majority of the cast and crew. The film stars Heather O'Rourke, Craig T.

Nelson, and JoBeth Williams, all of whom returned for the sequel.Critically acclaimed, Poltergeist was nominated for three Oscars, though it lost all three awards to another Spielberg film, E.T.

the Extra-Terrestrial. With a budget of around $10.7 million, the film managed to gross an impressive $121.

7 million at the box office. IMDb users have rated the film 7.3 out of 10, while Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 88% approval rating.

For those looking to revisit this classic horror film, Poltergeist is available for streaming on HBO Max. So, if you're in the mood for some supernatural scares and a trip down memory lane, be sure to check it out.