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Trailer

Phantasm

1979Movie1 h 29 minR

Horror
69
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6Letterboxd3.3/5Metacritic726.9Rotten Tomatoes72%67%

A terrifying, deeply unsettling horror movie about mystery and the mind.

Good for friends night · party vibe · teens

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you · you scare easily

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or uplift.

Movies with

Story

If this one doesn't scare you...you're already dead!

A teenage boy and his friends face off against a mysterious grave robber, known only as the Tall Man, who employs a lethal arsenal of unearthly weapons.

Feels like

  • Cult Horror Classic
  • Surreal Nightmare Logic
  • Low-Budget Spectacle
  • Gothic Atmosphere
  • Unsettling Sound Design
  • Iconic Villain
  • Coming-of-Age Horror
  • Gore & Practical Effects
  • Mystery & Intrigue

Cast

7 of 7

Crew

Directed by
Don Coscarelli
Written by
Don Coscarelli
Produced by
Dac Coscarelli, Paul Pepperman
Music by
Fred Myrow, Malcolm Seagrave

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 28, 1979 · 1 h 29 min · R

Released
March 28, 1979
Runtime
1 h 29 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Horror, Science Fiction
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$300,000
Box office
$12 million
Available in
11 countries

Tropes

Mood Whiplash, Retcon, Cool Gate +9

  • Mood Whiplash
  • Retcon
  • Cool Gate
  • Cynicism Catalyst
  • Action Girl
  • Save Scumming
  • Early-Installment Weirdness
  • That Came Out Wrong
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Batman Gambit
  • Chainsaw Good
  • Diabolus ex Machina

12 of 176 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Phantasm?"

Questions about Phantasm

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Phantasm?

fuboTVAMC+The RokuShudderPlexAmazon MX Player

In the United States, Phantasm streams on fuboTV, AMC+, and Shudder, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Plex, and Amazon MX Player. You can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. It also streams in 6 other countries.

Is Phantasm worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69 (IMDb 6.6, Letterboxd 3.3 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 72%, and Metacritic 72).

Will Phantasm scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

Yes, it's frightening: scares are rated 9 of 10, and some images are gruesome (grotesque 8 of 10).

Is Phantasm plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly plot-driven: intrigue (8 of 10) and spectacle (8 of 10) carry it more than its characters do.

What tropes does Phantasm use?

Mood WhiplashRetconCool GateCynicism CatalystAction GirlSave ScummingEarly-Installment WeirdnessThat Came Out WrongBittersweet EndingBatman GambitChainsaw GoodDiabolus ex Machinaand 164 more

TV Tropes lists 176 tropes for it, including Mood Whiplash, Retcon, and Cool Gate.