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 Casper the Friendly Ghost is the protagonist of the Famous Studios theatrical animated cartoon series of the same name. He is a pleasant, personable and translucent ghost, but often criticized by his three wicked uncles, the Ghostly Trio. The ...

, Beetlejuice,

Hamlet's father ''Hamlet's Father'' is a 2008 novella by Orson Scott Card, which retells William Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'' in modernist prose, and which makes several changes to the characters' motivations and backstory. It has drawn substantial criticism for it ...

, Jacob Marley, Freddy Krueger, and Moaning Myrtle, 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 natio ...

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''.

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), Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combina ...

'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, 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'', 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 b ...

.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 (spirit), soul or spirit of a dead Human, 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 visibl ...

'', and the 1993 comedy ''

Heart and Souls ''Heart and Souls'' is a 1993 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Ron Underwood. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Thomas Reilly, a businessman recruited by the souls of four deceased people, his guardian angels from childhood, t ...

''. In the horror genre, 1980's '' The Fog'', and the ''

A Nightmare on Elm Street ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' is a 1984 American Supernatural horror film, supernatural slasher film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Robert Shaye. It is the first installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise), ''A ...

'' 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 ''Ghostbusters'' is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, ...

'',

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 Adventures'' is an American paranormal and reality television series that premiered on October 17, 2008, on the Travel Channel before moving to Discovery+ in 2021. An independent film of the same name originally aired on the Sci-Fi ...

'', '' Ghost Hunters'', '' Ghost Hunters International'', '' Most Haunted'', and '' A Haunting''. It is also represented in children's television by such programs as '' The Ghost Hunter'' 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 ...

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

'' * 1959–1961: '' One Step Beyond'' * 1959–1964: ''

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

'' * 1968–1970: '' The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'' * 1969–1971: '' Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'' * 1971–1978, 2005– : '' A Ghost Story for Christmas'' * 1975: '' The Ghost Busters'' * 1976–1978: '' The Ghosts of Motley Hall'' * 1976–1984: '' Rentaghost'' * 1985–1989: ''

'' * 1985–1989: ''

'' * 1986–1991: '' The Real GhostBusters'' * 1987: '' Second Chance'' * 1989–1996: '' Tales from the Crypt'' * 1990: '' Elly & Jools'' * 1990–1991: '' Shades of L.A.'' * 1992–1994: '' So Haunt Me'' * 1993–1997: '' Zee Horror Show'' * 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'' * 1997–1998: '' Ghost Stories'' (episode list) * 1997: '' The Shining'' * 1999: ''Polterguests'' * 1999–2002: '' Providence'' * 2000: '' The Others'' * 2000–2001: '' Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)'' * 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'' * 2002–2003: ''

'' * 2004: ''Kingdom Hospital'' * 2004–2005: ''

Hex Hex or HEX may refer to: Magic * Hex, a curse or supposed real and potentially supernaturally realized malicious wish * Hex sign, a barn decoration originating in Pennsylvania Dutch regions of the United States * Hex work, a Pennsylvania Dutch ...

'' * 2004-2011: '' Rescue Me'' * 2004–2011: '' Medium'' * 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 wit ...

'' * 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 ...

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

Bedlam Bedlam, a word for an environment of insanity, is a term that may refer to: Places * Bedlam, North Yorkshire, a village in England * Bedlam, Shropshire, a small hamlet in England * Bethlem Royal Hospital, a London psychiatric institution and the ...

'' * 2011: '' The Fades'' * 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 Award ...

'' * 2011–2012: '' A Gifted Man'' * 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 Br ...

'' * 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 ...

'' * 2018-2020: '' Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'' * 2018–present: Wellington Paranormal * 2019–present: '' Ghosts (2019 TV series)'' * 2019: ''The InBetween'' * 2020–present: Julie and the Phantoms

Animation

* 1963–1969: '' The New Casper Cartoon Show'' * 1971–1972: ''

The Funky Phantom ''The Funky Phantom'' is an animated television series, produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, in association with Australian production company Air Programs International for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The show was a clone of Hann ...

'' * 1979: '' Casper and the Angels'' * 1985–1986: '' The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo'' * 1986: ''

'' * 1986–1991: '' The Real Ghostbusters'' * 1989–1991: '' Beetlejuice'' * 1991–1992: '' Little Ghosts, There, Here, and Where'' * 1993–1994: '' Ghost Sweeper Mikami'' * 1996–1997: '' Extreme Ghostbusters'' * 1996–1998: '' The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper'' * 2000–2001: '' Ghost stories in school'' * 2004–2007: '' Danny Phantom'' * 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'' * 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 Uni ...

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

DuckTales ''DuckTales'' is an American animated television series produced by Disney Television Animation. The original cartoon series premiered on syndication and on Disney Channel on September 18, 1987 and ran for a total of 100 episodes over four ...

'' * 2018-2021: '' Vampirina'' * 2021–present: '' The Ghost and Molly McGee''

Puppets

* 1989: '' The Ghost of Faffner Hall''

Ghost reality shows

* 1996–1997: '' Ghosthunters'' * 1998–2001: '' Haunted History'' * 2000–2006: '' Scariest Places on Earth'' * 2002–present: '' Most Haunted'' * 2004–2016: '' Ghost Hunters'' * 2005–2011: '' Ghostly Encounters'' * 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: ''

'' * 2008–2012: '' Ghost Hunters International'' * 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: '' Ghost Stories'' * 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 episo ...

'' * 2011: '' Paranormal Challenge'' * 2011–present: '' The Dead Files'' * 2011–2016: '' Paranormal Witness'' * 2012: '' Haunted Encounters'' * 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