Ghost Story

Play trailer

Ghost Story

R

1981

1h 50m

Horror

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Carol S

@Srikrask Oct 2, 2026

Although to be honest I haven't seen it in years, I loved it at the time. I'm not a fan of guts and gore and tho it was a bit cheesy it was right up my alley.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Ghost story = A *2* star movie!

See more

Fredric D.

@fudreport Jun 19, 2026

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

See more

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.

See more

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).

See more

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 !

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Offical Clip - Drowned in the Lake

2:10

Now Playing

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

1:51

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - Ghostly Heart Attack

2:26

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - A Dance With Death

2:20

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - Bridge Of Death

2:16

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - Frozen Doom

1:15

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - The Cold Woman

1:15

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - I Want You Now

1:26

Now Playing

Ghost Story: Official Clip - John's Nightmare

1:02

Now Playing

View more videos

The Guardian

25%

32%

The Guardian

Watchlist

Psycho II

67%

62%

Psycho II

Watchlist

Psycho III

60%

34%

Psycho III

Watchlist

Sea of Love

76%

67%

Sea of Love

Watchlist

Dracula

63%

59%

Dracula

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings