Ghost Story

1981·Movie
1h 50min·R
42
WeakGoodWatch score
IMDb6.3Metacritic––Rotten Tomatoes28%45%

Where to watch

Prime

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Ghost Story fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Terrifying and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Scare9
  • Tension8
  • Violence6

Heart

Nostalgic and melancholic

  • Nostalgia9
  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor3
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Mystery, the mind, and fantasy

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters

  • Intrigue9
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Sound Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacingYou scare easily

Find more like it

Scary moviesPsychological moviesMelancholic moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The Time Has Come to Tell the Tale

Four successful elderly gentlemen, members of the Chowder Society, share a gruesome, 50-year-old secret. When one of Edward Wanderley's twin sons dies in a bizarre accident, the group begins to see a pattern of frightening events developing.
Gothic HorrorSupernatural MysteryGuilt and SecretsNew England SettingAtmospheric HorrorClassic HorrorHaunted by the PastEnsemble Cast

Crew

Directed by:
John Irvin, Dan Kolsrud, Sonny P. Filippini
Written by:
Lawrence D. Cohen, Peter Straub
Produced by:
Ronald G. Smith, Ronald G. Smith, Douglas Green
Composed by:
Richard C. Franklin, James R. Alexander, Larry Carow

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Loading video…

Questions about Ghost Story

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ghost Story legally?

Prime

Ghost Story is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Ghost Story worth watching?

42
WeakGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 42/100 (IMDb 6.3 and Rotten Tomatoes 28%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Ghost Story rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagerySexual content

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, disturbing imagery, and sexual content.

How long is Ghost Story?

1 h 50 min

Ghost Story runs 1 h 50 min.

Is Ghost Story based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Ghost Story?

Critics28
Audiences54

Not quite. Audiences rate Ghost Story higher (54) than critics (28). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is Ghost Story in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Ghost Story?

57ARATAUBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCOCR+43

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Ghost Story in 57 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Ghost Story use?

Adaptation-Induced Plot HoleAdapted OutCompressed AdaptationDark SecretFan DisserviceThe Film of the BookRevenge

TV Tropes lists 7 storytelling tropes for Ghost Story, including Adaptation-Induced Plot Hole, Adapted Out, Compressed Adaptation.

HomeDiscoverMoviesShows