Ghost movies and shows can fall into a wide range of genres, including romance, comedy, horror, juvenile interest, and drama. Depictions of ghosts are as diverse as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Beetlejuice, Hamlet's father,

Jacob Marley Jacob Marley is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's 1843 novella ''A Christmas Carol'', a former business partner of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who has been dead for seven years.Hawes, Donal''Who's Who in Dickens'' Routledge (1998), Goog ...

, Freddy Krueger, and

Moaning Myrtle The following are supporting characters in the ''Harry Potter'' series written by J. K. Rowling. For members of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's Army, Hogwarts staff, Ministry of Magic, or for Death Eaters, see the respective articles. ...

, as well as the traditional spectral spirits and other bumps in the night.

History

With the advent of motion pictures and television, screen depictions of ghosts became common and spanned a variety of genres; the works of

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...

and

Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is ...

have all been made into cinematic versions. Children's benevolent ghost stories became popular, such as Casper the Friendly Ghost, created in the 1930s and appearing in comics, animated cartoons, and eventually the 1995 feature film ''

Casper Casper may refer to: People * Casper (given name) * Casper (surname) * Casper (Maya ruler) (422–487?), ruler of the Mayan city of Palenque * Tok Casper, first known king of Maya city-state Quiriguá in Guatemala, ruling beginning in 426 * David ...

''.

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and ...

's play ''

Blithe Spirit Blithe Spirit may refer to: * ''Blithe Spirit'' (play), a 1941 comic play written by Noël Coward * ''Blithe Spirit'' (1945 film), a British comedy film based on the play * ''Blithe Spirit'' (2020 film), a British-American comedy film based on th ...

'', later made into a

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

, places a more humorous slant on the phenomenon of haunting of individuals and specific locations, and '' The Ghost Goes West'', a comedy in which a Scottish castle and its ghost are moved to Florida, was voted the best British film of 1935. Sentimental depictions were more popular in early cinema than horror, and include the 1947 film ''

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir ''The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'' is a 1947 American romantic fantasy film starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. It was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and is based on a 1945 novel written by Josephine Leslie under the pseudonym of R.A. Dick. In ...

'', which was later adapted to television with a successful 1968–70

TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...

.Newman, pg. 135. Genuine psychological horror films from this period include 1944's '' The Uninvited'' and 1945's '' Dead of Night''. The 1970s saw screen depictions of ghosts diverge into distinct genres of the romantic and horror. A common theme in the romantic genre from this period is the ghost as a benign guide or messenger, often with unfinished business, such as 1989's '' Field of Dreams'', the 1990 film ''

Ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...

'', and the 1993 comedy '' Heart and Souls''. In the horror genre, 1980's ''

The Fog ''The Fog'' is a 1980 American supernatural horror film directed by John Carpenter, who also co-wrote the screenplay and created the music for the film. It stars Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins, Janet Leigh and Hal Holbrook. It ...

'', and the '' A Nightmare on Elm Street'' series of films from the 1980s and 1990s are notable examples of the trend for the merging of ghost stories with scenes of physical violence. Popularised in such films as the 1984 comedy '' Ghostbusters'',

ghost hunting Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations that are reported to be haunted by ghosts. Typically, a ghost-hunting team will attempt to collect evidence supporting the existence of paranormal activity. Ghost hunters use a variety of ...

became a hobby for many who formed ghost hunting societies to explore reportedly haunted places. The ghost hunting theme has been featured in reality television series such as '' Ghost Adventures'', '' Ghost Hunters'', ''

Ghost Hunters International ''Ghost Hunters International'' (abbreviated as ''GHI'') is a spin-off series of '' Ghost Hunters'' that aired on Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi). The series premiered on January 9, 2008, and ended on April 4, 2012. Like its parent series, ''GHI'' was ...

'', ''

Most Haunted ''Most Haunted'' is a British paranormal reality television series. Following complaints, the broadcast regulator, Ofcom, ruled that it was an entertainment show, not a legitimate investigation into the paranormal, and "should not be taken seri ...

'', and '' A Haunting''. It is also represented in children's television by such programs as ''

The Ghost Hunter A ghosthunter is a person who engages in ghost hunting, the process of investigating locations that are allegedly haunted. Ghosthunter(s), Ghost Hunter(s) or Ghost Hunt may also refer to: Literature *''Ghosthunters'', a four-book series by Germa ...

'' and '' Ghost Trackers''. Ghost hunting also gave rise to multiple guidebooks to haunted locations, and ghost hunting “how-to” manuals. The 1990s saw a return to classic “gothic” ghosts, whose dangers were more psychological than physical. Examples of films from this period include 1999's ''

The Sixth Sense ''The Sixth Sense'' is a 1999 American psychological thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Bruce Willis as a child psychologist whose patient (Haley Joel Osment) claims he can see and talk to the dead. Released by ...

'' and 2001's '' The Others''. Asian cinema has been adept at producing horror films about ghosts, such as the 1998 Japanese film ''

Ring Ring may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell :(hence) to initiate a telephone connection Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...

'' (remade in America as '' The Ring'' in 2002), and the Pang brothers' 2002 film '' The Eye''.

Films

Television series

Dramas and comedies

* 1953–1955: '' Topper'' * 1955–1965: ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was ren ...

'' * 1959–1961: ''

One Step Beyond One Step Beyond may refer to: Music * ''One Step Beyond'' (Dungeon album) or the title song, 2004 * ''One Step Beyond'' (Jackie McLean album), 1963 * '' One Step Beyond...'', an album by Madness, or the title song (see below), 1979 * ''One Step ...

'' * 1959–1964: ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, su ...

'' * 1968–1970: ''

'' * 1969–1971: '' Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'' * 1971–1978, 2005– : '' A Ghost Story for Christmas'' * 1975: ''

The Ghost Busters ''The Ghost Busters'' is a live-action children's sitcom that ran on CBS in 1975, about a team of bumbling detectives who investigate ghostly occurrences. Fifteen episodes were produced. The show reunited Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch in roles ...

'' * 1976–1978: ''

The Ghosts of Motley Hall ''The Ghosts of Motley Hall'' is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter. It was produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on the ITV network. The series r ...

'' * 1976–1984: ''

Rentaghost ''Rentaghost'' is a British children's television comedy show, originally broadcast by the BBC between 6 January 1976 and 6 November 1984. The show's plot centred on the antics of a number of ghosts who worked for a firm called Rentaghost, which ...

'' * 1985–1989: ''

'' * 1986–1991: ''

The Real GhostBusters ''The Real Ghostbusters'' is an American animated television series, a spin-off/sequel of the 1984 comedy film ''Ghostbusters''. The series ran from September 13, 1986, to October 5, 1991, and was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and DI ...

'' * 1987: '' Second Chance'' * 1989–1996: ''

Tales from the Crypt Tales from the Crypt may refer to: * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (album), by American rapper C-Bo * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (comics), published by EC Comics during the 1950s ** ''Tales from the Crypt'' (film), a 1972 Amicus film starring Ralph Ric ...

'' * 1990: ''

Elly & Jools ''Elly & Jools'' is an Australian children's television series that originally aired on the Nine Network in 1990. It starred Rebecca Smart as Elinor 'Elly' Lockett and Clayton Williamson as Julian 'Jools' Trevaller. It also featured Abigail, An ...

'' * 1990–1991: ''

Shades of L.A. ''Shades of LA'' is an American crime drama syndicated television series that aired from October 10, 1990 until April 6, 1991. Premise While recovering from a gunshot wound, a Los Angeles detective finds that he can see the spirits of the dead ...

'' * 1992–1994: ''

So Haunt Me ''So Haunt Me'' is a British television sitcom about a family that moves into a home occupied by the ghost of its previous resident, a middle-aged Jewish mother. The show was created by Paul Mendelson who was also credited on another British sit ...

'' * 1993–1997: ''

Zee Horror Show ''The Zee Horror Show'' is an Indian horror weekly television series presented by Ramsay Brothers and that aired on Zee TV from 1993 to 2001. The first episode was titled "Dastak" which was telecast on 9 August 1993 and featured Pankaj Dheer, Sh ...

'' * 1994-2018: ''

The X-Files ''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction drama (film and television), drama television series created by Chris Carter (screenwriter), Chris Carter. The series revolves around Federal Bureau of Investigation ...

'' * 1994–1997: '' The Kingdom'' * 1995–2015: ''

Aahat ''Aahat'' (English: ''An approaching sound'') is an Indian thriller/ horror television anthology series created by B. P. Singh for Sony Entertainment Television. The series premiered on 5 October 1995. The episodes of first, second and fift ...

'' * 1997–1998: ''

Ghost Stories A ghost story is any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them."Ghost Stories" in Margaret Drabble (ed.), ''Oxford Companion to English Literature''. ...

'' (episode list) * 1997: '' The Shining'' * 1999: ''Polterguests'' * 1999–2002: ''

Providence Providence often refers to: * Providentia, the divine personification of foresight in ancient Roman religion * Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes in Christianity * Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island in the ...

'' * 2000: '' The Others'' * 2000–2001: ''

Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) ''Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'' is a British private detective television series, starring Mike Pratt and Kenneth Cope respectively as the private detectives Jeff Randall and Marty Hopkirk. The series was created by Dennis Spooner and pro ...

'' * 2001: '' All Souls'' *2001–2010: '' Ssshhhh...Koi Hai'' *2001-2005: ''

Six Feet Under (TV series) ''Six Feet Under'' is an American drama television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It premiered on the premium network HBO in the United States on June 3, 2001, and ended on August 21, 2005, spanning 63 episodes across five seasons. ...

'' * 2002: ''

Haunted Haunted or The Haunted may refer to: Books * ''Haunted'' (Armstrong novel), by Kelley Armstrong, 2005 * ''Haunted'' (Cabot novel), by Meg Cabot, 2004 * ''Haunted'' (Palahniuk novel), by Chuck Palahniuk, 2005 * ''Haunted'' (Angel novel), a 200 ...

'' * 2002–2003: ''

'' * 2004: ''Kingdom Hospital'' * 2004–2005: '' Hex'' * 2004-2011: '' Rescue Me'' * 2004–2011: ''

Medium Medium may refer to: Science and technology Aviation *Medium bomber, a class of war plane * Tecma Medium, a French hang glider design Communication * Media (communication), tools used to store and deliver information or data * Medium of ...

'' * 2005–2010: ''

Ghost Whisperer ''Ghost Whisperer'' is an American supernatural television series, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005, to May 21, 2010. The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon ( Jennifer Love Hewitt), who has the ability to see and communicate with ...

'' * 2005–2020: ''

Supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...

'' * 2007: ''

The Dresden Files ''The Dresden Files'' is a series of contemporary fantasy/mystery novels written by American author Jim Butcher. The first novel, '' Storm Front''—which was also Butcher's writing debut—was published in 2000 by Roc Books. The books are wri ...

'' * 2008–2013: ''Being Human'' * 2010: '' Dead Gorgeous'' * 2011: '' American Horror Story: Murder House'' * 2011: ''

Becoming Human ''Becoming Human'' is a British supernatural comedy-drama webisode series and a spin-off from the TV series '' Being Human''. Created by Toby Whithouse, it was directed by Alex Kalymnios, written by Brian Dooley, Jamie Mathieson and John Jackso ...

'' * 2011: '' Bedlam'' * 2011: ''

The Fades The Fades are an English indie rock band from London, England, comprising Dave Lightfoot on guitar and vocals, James Lightfoot on bass, Jonathan "Jonny" Barnard on guitar and Alastair "Flash" Thorpe on drums. History The Fades were formed 2 ...

'' * 2011: ''

Bag of Bones ''Bag of Bones'' is a 1998 horror novel by American writer Stephen King. It focuses on an author who suffers severe writer's block and delusions at an isolated lake house four years after the death of his wife. It won the 1999 Bram Stoker Awar ...

'' * 2011–2012: ''

A Gifted Man ''A Gifted Man'' is an American fantasy medical drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 23, 2011. The series is about a talented but self-absorbed surgeon (Patrick Wilson) who starts questioning his purpose in life when he is vi ...

'' * 2011–2014: '' Being Human'' * 2012–2017: ''

Saving Hope ''Saving Hope'' is a Canadian supernatural medical drama television series set in Toronto in the fictional hospital Hope Zion. The series stars Erica Durance and Michael Shanks. The show's premise originated with Malcolm MacRury and Morwyn Brebn ...

'' * 2013–2015: '' The Haunted Hathaways'' (episodes) * 2013–2017: '' Sleepy Hollow'' * 2015–2016: '' Puli'' * 2015–2021: '' The Magicians'' * 2015–2016: '' American Horror Story: Hotel'' * 2016: '' American Horror Story: Roanoke'' * 2016: '' The Living and the Dead'' * 2018: ''

The Haunting of Hill House ''The Haunting of Hill House'' is a 1959 gothic horror novel by American author Shirley Jackson. A finalist for the National Book Award and considered one of the best literary ghost stories published during the 20th century, it has been made ...

'' * 2018-2020: '' Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'' * 2018–present: Wellington Paranormal * 2019–present: ''

Ghosts (2019 TV series) ''Ghosts '' is a British sitcom first broadcast on BBC One in April 2019. The series follows a collection of ghosts from different historical periods haunting a country house while sharing the house with its new living occupants. The series is ...

'' * 2019: ''The InBetween'' * 2020–present:

Julie and the Phantoms ''Julie and the Phantoms'' is an American musical comedy-drama streaming television series created by Dan Cross and David Hoge that was released via streaming on Netflix on September 10, 2020. The series is based on the Brazilian television serie ...

Animation

* 1963–1969: ''

The New Casper Cartoon Show ''The New Casper Cartoon Show'' is a 1963-1970 animated television series that appeared on ABC's Saturday morning schedule, based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost. Casper's co-stars included his friends from the H ...

'' * 1971–1972: '' The Funky Phantom'' * 1979: ''

Casper and the Angels ''Casper and the Angels'' is an American animated television series based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost, produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1979, to December 15, 1979. ...

'' * 1985–1986: '' The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo'' * 1986: '' Ghostbusters'' * 1986–1991: ''

The Real Ghostbusters ''The Real Ghostbusters'' is an American animated television series, a spin-off/sequel of the 1984 comedy film ''Ghostbusters''. The series ran from September 13, 1986, to October 5, 1991, and was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and DI ...

'' * 1989–1991: '' Beetlejuice'' * 1991–1992: ''

Little Ghosts, There, Here, and Where is an anime television series by Pierrot. The 50-episode series aired on Nippon Television from April 1991 to August 1992.Ghost Sweeper Mikami is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takashi Shiina. It was published in Shogakukan's ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' from May 1991 to September 1999, with its chapters collected in thirty-nine ''tankobon'' volumes. The series ex ...

'' * 1996–1997: '' Extreme Ghostbusters'' * 1996–1998: ''

The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper ''The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper'' is an animated television spin-off and a sequel of the feature film ''Casper'', which, in turn, was based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character of Casper the Friendly Ghost. Production At the time ...

'' * 2000–2001: '' Ghost stories in school'' * 2004–2007: ''

Danny Phantom ''Danny Phantom'' is an American animated superhero action adventure television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. The series follows Danny Fenton, a teenage boy who, after an accident with an unpredictable portal between the human ...

'' * 2009–2012: ''

Casper's Scare School ''Casper's Scare School'' (also known as ''Casper's Scare School: The Movie'') is a 2006 computer animated television film based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost. The film premiered on Cartoon Network on October 2 ...

'' * 2010–2013: ''

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated ''Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'' (also known as ''Mystery Incorporated'' or ''Scooby-Doo! Mystery, Inc.'') is an American animated television series that serves as the eleventh incarnation of the ''Scooby-Doo'' media franchise created by Han ...

'' * 2012–2016: '' Gravity Falls'' * 2013: ''

Dude, That's My Ghost! ''Dude, That's My Ghost!'' (French: ''Mon Pote le fantôme'') is a 2013 Anglo- French animated television series created by Jan Van Rijsselberge, produced by Alphanim, and directed by Frédéric Martin. The series aired on Disney XD in the United ...

'' * 2015: '' Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu'' Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu#Episodes * 2017-2021: '' DuckTales'' * 2018-2021: ''

Vampirina ''Vampirina'' is a computer-animated children's television series created by Chris Nee. Based on the ''Vampirina Ballerina'' series of books written by Anne Marie Pace and published by Disney-Hyperion, the series was announced in March 2016 and ...

'' * 2021–present: ''

The Ghost and Molly McGee , creator = Bill Motz & Bob Roth , voices = {{Plainlist, * Ashly Burch * Dana Snyder * Jordan Klepper * Sumalee Montano * Michaela Dietz , theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist, * Michael Kramer * Allie Feder , opent ...

Puppets

* 1989: ''

The Ghost of Faffner Hall ''The Ghost of Faffner Hall'' is a children's television series from Jim Henson Productions and the British ITV company Tyne Tees Television which aired from August 16, 1989 to November 11, 1989 in the UK, and slightly later in the US. The puppet ...

Ghost reality shows

* 1996–1997: '' Ghosthunters'' * 1998–2001: '' Haunted History'' * 2000–2006: ''

Scariest Places on Earth ''Scariest Places on Earth'' is an American paranormal reality television series that originally aired from October 23, 2000, to October 29, 2006, on Fox Family, and later ABC Family. The show was hosted by Linda Blair, with narration by Zelda Ru ...

'' * 2002–present: ''

'' * 2004–2016: '' Ghost Hunters'' * 2005–2011: ''

Ghostly Encounters ''Ghostly Encounters'' is a Canadian paranormal TV, paranormal documentary television series that premiered on to January 19, 2011. on Oprah Winfrey Network (Canadian TV channel), Viva/W Network. The program also aired on A&E Television Networ ...

'' * 2005–2006: '' Ghost Hunt'' * 2006: ''

Extreme Ghost Stories ''Extreme Ghost Stories'' is a British supernatural documentary television series produced by ITV Granada, consisting of four one hour episodes. Origin and notes In 2005, ITV Granada appealed for those whose lives had been affected by ghostly e ...

'' * 2007–2011: '' Paranormal State'' * 2008–present: '' Ghost Adventures'' * 2008–2012: ''

'' * 2009–2014: ''

Celebrity Ghost Stories ''Celebrity Ghost Stories'' is an American paranormal reality television series that debuted on October 3, 2009, with the pilot airing on September 26, 2009. Its first four seasons aired on The Biography Channel with the fifth airing on Lifetime Mo ...

'' * 2009-2010: '' I Believe in Ghosts: Joe Swash'' * 2009–2010: '' Ghost Hunters Academy'' * 2009–2011: ''

Ghost Lab ''Ghost Lab'' is a weekly American paranormal television series that premiered on October 6, 2009, on the Discovery Channel. Produced by Paper Route Productions and Go Go Luckey Entertainment, the program is narrated by Mike Rowe. It follows gho ...

'' * 2009–2010: ''

Most Terrifying Places in America ''Most Terrifying Places in America'' was an American paranormal documentary television series that premiered on October 9, 2009 on the Travel Channel as a stand-alone special. The special was subsequently broken down into an episodic series. Ea ...

'' * 2010–2013: ''

My Ghost Story ''My Ghost Story'' is an American television series on the paranormal, which premiered on July 17, 2010, on the Biography Channel. The series features ghost stories told from a person's own supposed experience with the supernatural. Each episode ...

'' * 2011: ''

Paranormal Challenge ''Paranormal Challenge'' is an American competitive paranormal reality television series that aired from June 17, 2011 to September 16, 2011 on the Travel Channel. A spin-off of ''Ghost Adventures'', the series was created and hosted by lead in ...

'' * 2011–present: ''

The Dead Files ''The Dead Files'' is an American paranormal television series that premiered September 23, 2011, on the Travel Channel. The program features physical medium Amy Allan and former NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi, who investigate allegedly ...

'' * 2011–2016: '' Paranormal Witness'' * 2012: ''

Haunted Encounters ''Haunted Encounters'' (also known as ''Haunted Encounters: Face to Face'') is an American paranormal television series that premiered on December 1, 2012, on the Biography Channel. The program features a paranormal investigation team, the Paranor ...

'' * 2005–2007; 2012–2019: '' A Haunting''

References

Sources

* Newman, Kim, ed, ''BFI Companion to Horror'', Cassell: London, 1996. {{DEFAULTSORT:Ghost Films Lists of films by common content Lists of films by topic Lists of horror films Fictional ghosts Thrillers