Hubbry Logo
The FrightenersThe FrightenersMain
Open search
The Frighteners
Community hub
The Frighteners
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
The Frighteners
The Frighteners
The Frighteners
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Frighteners
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPeter Jackson
Written by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Edited byJamie Selkirk
Music byDanny Elfman
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures[1]
Release date
  • July 19, 1996 (1996-07-19)
Running time
110 minutes[2]
Countries
  • United States[3]
  • New Zealand[3]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$26 million[4]
Box office$29.3 million

The Frighteners is a 1996 supernatural comedy horror film directed by Peter Jackson and co-written with Fran Walsh. The film stars Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Dee Wallace Stone, Jeffrey Combs, R. Lee Ermey and Jake Busey. The Frighteners tells the story of Frank Bannister (Fox), an architect who develops psychic abilities allowing him to see, hear, and communicate with ghosts after his wife's murder. He initially uses his new abilities to befriend ghosts, whom he sends to haunt people so that he can charge them handsome fees for "exorcising" the ghosts. However, the spirit of a mass murderer appears posing as the Grim Reaper, able to attack the living and the dead, prompting Frank to investigate the supernatural presence.

Jackson and Walsh conceived the idea for The Frighteners during the script-writing phase of Heavenly Creatures. Executive producer Robert Zemeckis hired the duo to write the script, with the original intention of Zemeckis directing The Frighteners as a spin-off film of the television series Tales from the Crypt. With Jackson and Walsh's first draft submitted in January 1994, Zemeckis believed the film would be better off directed by Jackson, produced by Zemeckis and funded/distributed by Universal Studios. The visual effects were created by Jackson's Weta Digital, which had only been in existence for three years. This, plus the fact that The Frighteners required more digital effects shots than almost any movie made until that time, resulted in the eighteen-month period for effects work by Weta Digital being largely stressed.

Despite a rushed post-production schedule, Universal was so impressed with Jackson's rough cut on The Frighteners, the studio moved the theatrical release date up by three months. The film was not a box office success, barely making back its budget, but it received generally positive reviews from critics. The film gained a cult following and is considered an overlooked work in Jackson's catalog.[5][6][7][8][9]

Plot

[edit]

In 1964, in the town of Fairwater, Johnny Bartlett is executed for murdering 12 people at a sanatorium, driven by his desire to become the most prolific serial killer. His teenage lover, Patricia Ann Bradley, is deemed an accomplice and sentenced to prison. Decades later, she is released into her mother's custody.

In 1990, architect Frank Bannister is living a selfish, strained marriage with his wife, Debra. During a heated argument, he drunkenly crashes his car, and police later find Debra dead nearby, with the number "13" carved into her forehead. Though Frank has no memory of the incident, the trauma leaves him able to see the spirit world. In the present, he lives in the abandoned shell of the house he was building for Debra. Consumed by guilt, he has become a cynical con man, using his abilities to "exorcise" hauntings staged by ghostly partners—streetwise Cyrus, nerdy Stuart, and The Judge, an Old West gunslinger.

During a job at the home of physician Lucy Lynskey and her arrogant husband Ray, Frank notices the glowing number "37" on Ray's forehead. Ray dies shortly after of a heart attack. Helping Lucy communicate with Ray's ghost, Frank witnesses a Grim Reaper–like entity crush the heart of another man marked "38". Panicked, Frank flees and follows a heavenly light to the museum, where he finds the number 39 victim. Soon after, a newspaper editor, Magda Rees-Jones—who accused Frank of Debra's murder—becomes victim number 40. The Reaper destroys The Judge in the process.

The mounting deaths implicate Frank, and he surrenders to the police. He is interrogated by Milton Dammers, a disturbed FBI agent traumatized by years of physical and sexual torture while working undercover in Satanic cults. Dammers is convinced Frank killed Debra and is psychically causing the unexplained heart attacks. Lucy visits Frank in jail, and they form a bond over shared loss. When the Reaper marks Lucy as victim 41, Cyrus and Stuart sacrifice themselves to save her and Frank. Knowing he cannot protect Lucy as a human, Frank asks her to induce a near-death state, slowing his heart with drugs and sealing him in a freezer. Dammers intervenes, capturing Lucy and leaving Frank to die—but Frank's spirit escapes, and damages the pursuing Reaper's form, revealing it to be Bartlett himself.

After Frank revives, Lucy warns Patricia, her patient, about Bartlett, only to learn Patricia has remained devoted to him. She summoned his spirit from Hell to continue their killing spree, and murders her own mother to protect him. Frank and Lucy trap Bartlett in his urn and flee to the derelict sanatorium, planning to use its chapel to banish him to Hell. Pursued through the ruins by Patricia and Dammers, Frank experiences visions of the 1964 massacre, showing that Patricia actively participated in the killings. Frank also recalls that Bartlett's ghost murdered Debra, while Patricia carved the number into her forehead. Dammers unwittingly frees Bartlett from the urn and is promptly killed by Patricia.

Patricia strangles Frank to death, but his spirit drags her soul upward toward Heaven, forcing Bartlett to follow. When Bartlett and Patricia break free and try return to Earth, the pair are seized by a demonic force and dragged into Hell. In Heaven, Frank is reunited with Cyrus, Stuart, and Debra. Cyrus and Stuart send him back to life, while Debra tells him to be happy.

Some time later, Frank demolishes the unfinished house and begins a relationship with Lucy, who has now gained the ability to see ghosts.

Cast

[edit]
  • Michael J. Fox as Frank Bannister, a former architect turned ghost hunter after the trauma of his wife dying. Although Jackson and Walsh envisioned The Frighteners as a low-budget film with unknown actors, Zemeckis suggested casting his Back to the Future star Fox in the lead role. Fox became enthusiastic about working with Jackson when he saw Heavenly Creatures at the Toronto International Film Festival.[10]
  • Trini Alvarado as Lucy Lynskey, a physician that Frank meets. The character is named after Heavenly Creatures star Melanie Lynskey (who also cameos in The Frighteners).[10]
  • Peter Dobson as Ray Lynskey, Lucy's health-obsessed and comically hot-headed husband who dislikes Frank's tactics
  • John Astin as The Judge, a decaying gunslinger ghost from the Old West with a penchant for mummies and firing guns at random.[10]
  • Jeffrey Combs as Milton Dammers, an eccentric FBI agent who has a vendetta against Bannister. A former undercover agent known for his work with cultists, which caused him to sustain multiple massive mutilations and drove him to the brink of insanity, he has a problem with women screaming at him. Jackson opted to cast Combs as Dammers because he was a fan of the actor's work in Re-Animator.[11]
  • Dee Wallace Stone as Patricia Bradley, inspired by Caril Ann Fugate. Bartlett's mentally ill lover (escaping execution at the time of the original murders as she was underage) who is under strict observation by her mother.
  • Jake Busey as Johnny Bartlett, a mass murderer inspired by Charles Starkweather sharing the last name of his second and third victims, girlfriend and accomplice Caril Ann Fugate's mother and step-father Velda and Marion Bartlett. He continues his work in the afterlife, focusing on increasing his body count as a form of competition with other famous murderers. He returns from Hell, able to attack the living and the dead posing as the Grim Reaper.
  • Chi McBride as Cyrus. One of Frank's deceased associates for his ghost-hunting business.
  • Jim Fyfe as Stuart, a nerd who is one of Frank's deceased associates for his ghost-hunting business.
  • Troy Evans as Sheriff Walt Perry, a local law enforcement officer and ally to Frank.
  • Julianna McCarthy as Old Lady Bradley, Patricia's mother and former director of the psychiatric hospital, who is constantly monitoring her daughter.
  • R. Lee Ermey as Hiles, the ghost of a Master Sergeant. Ermey's performance in this film is heavily reminiscent of his performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket, sharing many mannerisms with the aforementioned character.[12]
  • Elizabeth Hawthorne as Magda Rees-Jones, the snooty British editor of the local newspaper.
  • Ken Blackburn as Dr. Kamins, Lucy's colleague, whom she works for, and who performed the autopsies on Bartlett's recent victims, discovering that their deaths were not of natural causes.

In addition, Peter Jackson cameos as a man with piercings, his son Billy is a baby in a bouncer, Melanie Lynskey cameos as the deputy who is briefly seen standing next to Lucy Lynskey, Byron McCrawerly plays Victim #38 and Angela Bloomfield plays Frank's deceased wife, Debra.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Peter Jackson and co-writer Fran Walsh conceived the idea for The Frighteners in 1992, during the script-writing phase of Heavenly Creatures.[13] Together, they wrote a three-page film treatment and sent it to their talent agent in Hollywood. Robert Zemeckis viewed their treatment with the intention of directing The Frighteners as a spin-off film of the television series, Tales from the Crypt (which he helped produce).[14][15] Zemeckis hired Jackson and Walsh to turn their treatment into a full-length screenplay in January 1993.[10] The husband and wife duo completed their first draft for The Frighteners in early January 1994. Zemeckis was so impressed with their script, he decided The Frighteners would work better directed by Jackson, executive produced by Zemeckis and funded/distributed by Universal Pictures.[15] Universal green-lighted the film to commence pre-production on a $26 million budget in April 1994.[13][16] The studio also granted Jackson and Zemeckis total artistic control and the right of final cut privilege.[14]

Filming

[edit]

Jackson decided to film The Frighteners entirely in New Zealand.[17] Zemeckis and Universal agreed on the condition that Jackson made New Zealand look similar to the Midwestern United States.[11] Principal photography began on May 14, 1995, and lasted until November 16, which is one of the longest shooting schedules ever approved by Universal Pictures. Six weeks into the shoot, cinematographer Alun Bollinger had a serious car accident. His replacement, John Blick, later alternated duties with Bollinger for much of the rest of the shoot.[18] Location shooting primarily included Wellington and three weeks spent in Lyttelton. Interior scenes were compiled at Camperdown Studios in Miramar.[11]

Visual effects

[edit]

Weta Digital created the visual effects and animation, which included CGI, as well as scale models (which were necessary to make Lyttelton look American),[10] prosthetic makeup and practical effects with help from Weta Workshop. Visual effects supervisor Richard Taylor explained that effects work on The Frighteners was complex due to Weta's inexperience with computer technology in the mid-1990s. Prior to this film, Weta worked largely with physical effects. With so many ghosts among its main cast, The Frighteners required more digital effects shots than almost any movie made up till that time. For a special effects company that had been in existence less than three years, the eighteen-month period for completing The Frighteners was largely stressful.[18] Some shots were handled by a small New Zealand company called Pixel Perfect, many of whose employees would eventually join Weta Digital.[10] Rick Baker was hired to design the prosthetic makeup for The Judge, portrayed by John Astin (the detachable jawbone was later added digitally). However, Baker was not able to apply Astin's five hours of makeup due to his commitment on The Nutty Professor.[18] Makeup artist Brian Penikas (Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) fulfilled Baker's duties.[19]

The extended shooting schedule owed much to the fact that scenes where ghosts and human characters interacted had to be filmed twice; once with human characters acting on set, and then with the ghost characters acting against a blue screen. The two elements would later be digitally composited into one shot with the use of split screen photography. Such sequences required precise timing from the cast as they traded dialogue with characters who were merely blank air.[18] The hardest challenge for the digital animators at Weta was creating the Grim Reaper, which went through many transformations before finding physical form.[19] "We set out with the intention of doing the Reaper as a rod puppet, maybe shooting it in a water tank," Jackson commented. "We even thought of filming someone, dressed in costume, at different camera speeds."[18] Test footage was shot with puppets and a man in a Reaper suit, but in the end, it was decided that using computer animation would be the easiest task. Another character called "the Gatekeeper", a winged cherub who helps guard the cemetery, was deleted from the final cut.[20]

With digital effects work running behind schedule, Zemeckis convinced Wes Takahashi, an animation supervisor from visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to help work on The Frighteners.[20] "The shots Zemeckis showed me were pretty remarkable," Takahashi reflected, "but there were still about 400 shots to do, and everyone was kind of worried."[4] Takahashi was quickly drafted as a visual effects supervisor, and began looking at the schedule, trying to work out whether The Frighteners could be finished in time. "There was no way we'd make the deadline. I figured out a concerted plan involving Jackson and Zemeckis to convince Universal it was worthy of asking for more money."[4] The executives at Universal proposed splitting some of the shots to visual effects companies in the United States, but Jackson, for whom the film was a chance to show New Zealand filmmaking could stand alongside Hollywood, convinced Universal otherwise.[4] Instead, The Frighteners received an accelerated release date, four months earlier than planned, and an additional $6 million in financing, with fifteen digital animators and computer workstations (some were borrowed from Universal and other effects companies in the US).[21]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Further information: The Frighteners (soundtrack)

The film score was written and composed by Danny Elfman. It was released in 1996 on cassette and compact disc by MCA Records and Universal Records.[22] The closing credits play a cover of Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" performed by New Zealand alternative rock band The Mutton Birds.[23][24] The Mutton Birds version of the song had been previously released as a B-side to their single "She's Been Talking" released in 1996.[25] The credits also feature "Superstar", written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, and performed by Sonic Youth.

Release

[edit]

Theatrical

[edit]

The intended release date was October 1996, but after Universal studio executives viewed a rough cut of The Frighteners, they were impressed enough to move the release date to their "summer blockbuster slot" on July 19, 1996.[26] In addition, Universal offered the filmmaker the opportunity to make King Kong, which was not released until 2005.[27] Jackson often disputed the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)'s decision on the film's rating. Aware that he was meant to be delivering Universal a PG-13 rated film, Jackson tried his best to omit graphic violence as much as possible, but the MPAA still believed The Frighteners deserved an R rating.[28]

Home media

[edit]

"The Frighteners" was released on Laserdisc in 1996 in a standard release with Dolby surround on both Digital and Analog channels.

In 1998 Universal Home Video as part of the Signature Series collection released a special edition. This includes the first release of the 14-minute longer "Directors Cut," plus the following extras:

  • Feature commentary by director Peter Jackson
  • 4-hour documentary The Making Of The Frighteners, directed by Peter Jackson, and featuring cast interviews, rehearsals, storyboards, miniatures, and special effects
  • Deleted scenes
  • Theatrical trailer

The later DVD was a re-release of this with inferior audio.

The Frighteners was first released on DVD in August 1998, but included no special features.[29]

To coincide with the release of Jackson's King Kong,[30] Universal Studios Home Entertainment issued a double-sided director's cut DVD of the film in November 2005,[31] which featured a version of The Frighteners that is 14 minutes longer.[32] The other side includes a documentary prepared by Jackson and WingNut Films originally for the Laserdisc release.[31] The theatrical and director's cuts were also made available on HD-DVD in 2007, and Blu-ray in 2011.[33][34]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

The Frighteners was released in the United States in 1,675 theaters, and opened at #5, earning $5,565,495 during its opening weekend, averaging $3,335 per theater. The film eventually grossed a worldwide total of $29,359,216.[35] The Frighteners ended up being a box office disappointment, mostly due to competition from Independence Day;[36] in interviews conducted years after The Frighteners' release, Jackson commented he was disappointed by Universal's ubiquitous marketing campaign, including a poster which "didn't tell you anything about the picture",[10] which he believed was the primary reason the film was not a financial success.[16] Additionally, the film opened on the same day the Atlanta Summer Olympics began; when Jackson realized this and told the studio, they answered "'We don't think so; our research indicates that's not the case...' And I just thought how the hell do they know? There had only ever been three Olympic Games held in the United States in one hundred years!" Jackson acknowledged The Frighteners' tone made it hard to pigeon-hole and sell, and his experience on the film made him understand the importance of marketing.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]
Peter Jackson received two Saturn Award nominations.

As of October 8, 2025, 66% of the 44 reviewers selected by review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave The Frighteners a positive review, and the average score is 6.2/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Boasting top-notch special effects and exuberant direction from Peter Jackson, The Frighteners is visually striking but tonally uneven."[37] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.[38]

Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times stated "Director Peter Jackson, at home with all kinds of excess in New Zealand, keeps everything spinning nicely, not even losing a step when the mood turns increasingly disturbing."[39] Janet Maslin from The New York Times enjoyed The Frighteners, but "walked out the theater with mixed emotions," she commented that "Peter Jackson deserves more enthusiasm for expert, imaginative effects than for his live actors anyhow. These lively touches would leave The Frighteners looking more like a more frantic Beetlejuice if Jackson's film weren't so wearyingly overcrowded. The Frighteners is not immune to overkill, even though most of its characters are already dead."[40] Jeff Vice of the Deseret News praised the acting in the film, with the performances of Fox and Alvarado in particular, but said that there were also "bits that push the taste barrier too far and which grind things to a screeching halt", and that if "Jackson had used the restraint he showed in Heavenly Creatures, the movie could have "been the best of its kind".[41] Critic Christopher Null praised the film, as he described it as a mixture between Ghostbusters and Twin Peaks.[32] Michael Drucker of IGN said that although the film would not make Jackson's top five of movies, it "is a harmless and fun dark comedy that you'll enjoy casually watching from time to time".[30] The Frighteners received mixed reviews by critics from Jackson's native country, New Zealand.[28]

Conversely, Todd McCarthy of Variety thought that the film should have remained an episode of Tales from the Crypt.[42] Critic James Berardinelli believed that although The Frighteners wasn't "a bad film", it was "a disappointment, following Jackson's powerful, true-life matricide tale, Heavenly Creatures", and because of that "The Frighteners fell short of expectations by being just one of many in the long line of 1996 summer movies."[43] Chicago Sun-Times' Roger Ebert gave the film one star out of four, and felt that Jackson was more interested in prosthetic makeup designs, computer animation, and special effects than writing a cohesive storyline.[44] Ebert and critic Gene Siskel gave it a "two thumbs down" rating on their TV show At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.[45] Chicago Reader critic Jonathan Rosenbaum, described the film's special effects as "ugly, aggressive" and "proliferating", saying that "trying to keep interested in [the special effects] was like trying to remain interested in a loudmouth shouting in [his] ear".[46] Edward Guthmann of the San Francisco Chronicle stated that "instead of moving the horror genre in new directions, The Frighteners simply falls apart from its barrage of visual effects and the overmixed onslaught of Danny Elfman's music score".[47] The Austin Chronicle's Joey O'Brien, said that although the screenplay was "practically loaded with wild ideas, knowingly campy dialogue and offbeat characterizations", it "switched gears" too fast and too frequently that "the audience is left struggling to catch up as [The Frighteners] twists and turns its way unmercifully towards a literally out-of-this-world finale".[48]

Accolades

[edit]

At the 23rd Saturn Awards, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films honored Jackson with nominations for Best Director and Best Writing, the latter he shared with wife Fran Walsh. The Frighteners also was nominated for Best Horror Film, and for its Special Effects, Make-up (Rick Baker) and Music (Danny Elfman). Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey Combs were also nominated for their work.[49]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Frighteners

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Frighteners is a supernatural horror comedy film directed by and co-written by Jackson and . The film stars as Frank Bannister, a grieving architect-turned-fake who can actually see and communicate with ghosts following the death of his wife in a car accident. Accompanied by spectral sidekicks, Bannister initially uses his abilities to stage hauntings for profit, but he soon uncovers a series of real supernatural murders in his small town linked to a vengeful, reaper-like spirit. Produced by and distributed by , The Frighteners marked Jackson's first major Hollywood studio project, executive produced by , and was conceived during the scripting of Jackson's earlier film . With a budget of approximately $30 million, the movie employed groundbreaking practical effects and early CGI for its ghostly visuals, showcasing Jackson's innovative filmmaking style that would later define his Lord of the Rings trilogy. The supporting cast includes as Bannister's love interest, a doctor targeted by the killer ghost; as a paranoid FBI agent; and character actors like and in memorable roles. Released on , , The Frighteners received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 65% approval rating on based on its blend of humor, horror, and effects-driven spectacle, though some found the tone uneven. It underperformed at the , grossing $16.8 million domestically and $29.4 million worldwide, failing to recoup its costs amid competition from summer blockbusters. Despite the commercial disappointment, the film has since developed a for its quirky narrative, Fox's charismatic performance—his last major leading role before largely retiring from acting due to —and Jackson's pre-Tolkien genre experimentation.

Synopsis

Plot

In the small town of Fairwater, Frank Bannister, a former , develops the ability to see and communicate with ghosts following a car accident that kills his wife, , leaving him wracked with guilt and unable to complete their . Haunted by this gift, Frank teams up with three spectral companions—a grizzled Old West judge known as the Judge, the street-smart gangster Cyrus, and the timid Stuart—to stage hauntings in local homes, allowing him to pose as a and charge residents for "banishing" the spirits he himself unleashed. This fraudulent business sustains him, but his life unravels when a series of mysterious heart attacks plague the town, with victims displaying glowing numbers on their foreheads counting down to their deaths, reminiscent of a Grim Reaper's mark. As the killings escalate, Frank witnesses the ethereal assassin—a skeletal figure in black—and becomes the prime suspect when FBI agent Milton Dammers, a paranoid investigator with a history of profiling mediums, arrives to probe the supernatural crimes. Frank allies with Dr. Lucy Lynskey, a skeptical physician and recent whose husband, Ray, is the first marked victim (with the number "1"); after Ray's sudden death, his ghost lingers, prompting Frank to reveal his abilities and enlist Lucy's help in unraveling the mystery. Their investigation leads to the local , site of a infamous 1960 , where they uncover that the killer is the ghost of Johnny Bartlett, a hospital who slaughtered 16 people in a rampage inspired by real-life American serial killer and his teenage accomplice , aiming to surpass their record. Bartlett has escaped from Hell with aid from his still-living partner, Patricia Bradley, the daughter of the hospital's administrator, who was convicted as his accomplice and now resides in , psychically assisting his otherworldly . Confronted by Dammers, who hypnotizes Frank and brands him with the number "5," Frank realizes he is next on Bartlett's list and must enter the to stop the murderer. In a desperate climax, Frank shoots himself to achieve an out-of-body death, descending into a purgatorial where he battles Bartlett's forces; his companions sacrifice themselves to aid him, with the ultimately banishing Bartlett back to by dragging him into the depths. Lucy revives Frank using a makeshift defibrillator, while Patricia, exposed and defeated, takes her own to join Bartlett. In the resolution, Frank finds closure regarding his wife's —revealed to have been an accident, not —and closes his fraudulent agency, embracing a genuine practice; he begins a romantic relationship with Lucy, and as peace returns to Fairwater, Frank loses his ability to see , allowing his companions to ascend to the .

Cast

The principal cast of The Frighteners features as Frank Bannister, the protagonist who possesses psychic abilities to see and interact with ; as Lucy Lynskey, a skeptical doctor who evolves into Bannister's key ally; and as Milton Dammers, an FBI agent plagued by severe psychological issues. Supporting roles are filled by as The Judge, an elderly portrayed as a gunslinger from ; as Johnny Bartlett, the vengeful of a ; as Cyrus, a spectral 1970s street gangster; and as Stuart, a timid, nerdy . Additional notable performers include as Ray Lynskey, as Patricia Bradley, and as Sgt. Hiles, alongside minor roles such as as Magda Rees-Jones, the editor of the local newspaper. Cameos appear from director as a man with facial piercings and as a deputy. was selected for the lead after he viewed 's at the and expressed strong interest in collaborating with the director.

Production

Development

Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh conceived the idea for The Frighteners in 1992, during the script-writing phase for their film Heavenly Creatures. Initially envisioned as a low-budget horror project, the concept was shelved temporarily as they focused on completing Heavenly Creatures. Jackson and Walsh developed a two-page story outline, which they pitched through their agent to Robert Zemeckis, who signed on as executive producer. Zemeckis originally intended the story as a segment for his HBO anthology series Tales from the Crypt, but found it too expansive for television and encouraged the duo to develop it into a full-length feature film. The script was co-written by Jackson, Walsh, and New Zealand playwright Stephen Sinclair, blending supernatural horror with black comedy elements. By 1994, Universal Pictures acquired the project and greenlit production with an approximately $30 million budget, marking Jackson's entry into major Hollywood filmmaking. Jackson advocated for a hybrid approach to effects, combining practical makeup and from his Weta Workshop with early to bring the ghostly elements to life. For the lead role of Frank Bannister, Jackson sought an actor capable of balancing comedy and ; was cast after viewing a of Heavenly Creatures at the 1994 , where the film's acclaim helped secure his attachment. Pre-production commenced that year, with Weta Workshop beginning extensive storyboarding to map out the film's visual sequences.

Filming

Principal photography for The Frighteners took place from May 14 to November 16, 1995, primarily in and around , , spanning six months and marking one of ' longest shooting schedules at the time. The production aimed to transform locales into an American Midwest setting, with key exterior scenes filmed in Lyttelton, , to represent the fictional town of Fairwater. Interiors were captured at Camperdown Studios in Miramar, . To integrate the film's supernatural elements, many scenes were filmed twice: once with live actors on practical sets and again using blue-screen techniques to capture ghostly characters for later compositing and overlays. Practical effects, including extensive makeup prosthetics by for characters like the Judge, were employed on set to simulate hauntings before digital enhancements were added in . This hybrid approach required over 400 bluescreen setups, contributing to the extended schedule. The production faced logistical hurdles, including the demands of coordinating more than 400 visual effects shots, which necessitated multiple takes and prolonged the shoot. Lead actor , who had been diagnosed with early-onset in 1991, navigated increasing symptoms during filming, including a brief sidelining due to a foot injury, though he pushed through with determination. Director Peter Jackson adopted a hands-on approach, immersing himself in the effects process and encouraging improvisations to blend horror and comedy, ensuring the film's whimsical tone amid technical complexities.

Visual effects

Weta Digital, established by Peter Jackson in 1994 following work on Heavenly Creatures, undertook its first major feature project with The Frighteners, handling all visual effects production in Wellington, New Zealand. The company expanded rapidly from an initial team of eight to over 50 artists during post-production, which spanned approximately 18 months to deliver 570 VFX shots—more digital effects than any prior film at the time. This ambitious scope consumed a significant portion of the film's approximately $30 million budget, pushing early CGI capabilities and setting precedents for future blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The visual effects work required an additional $6 million beyond the initial budget, secured with assistance from Industrial Light & Magic supervisor Wes Takahashi, extending the total production cost. The effects combined practical and digital techniques to depict ghostly apparitions and supernatural entities, with Weta developing for many sequences. Ghosts were primarily created using bluescreen , where actors performed on a motion-controlled stage, tracked for integration with live-action footage via and 2D warping to achieve semi-transparent, glowing forms that interacted seamlessly with the environment. Practical elements supported the digital work, including wire rigs for and prosthetics designed by Bob McCarron to prepare actors for appearances, blended through for realistic otherworldly behaviors like phasing through walls. No full was employed, but reference footage from actors' movements informed animations, particularly for the film's sequences. A key challenge was the era's limited CGI technology, predating widespread adoption post-Toy Story (1995), requiring the small team to innovate under a tight timeline with rudimentary tools like SGI workstations. Cloth simulation for dynamic elements proved particularly difficult, as no standard methods existed, leading to custom coding that hijacked particle systems for fluid motion. The skeletal Reaper, a central antagonist, was a fully CGI creation modeled as a flowing cloth figure rather than a rigid skeleton, animated using actor Jake Busey's filmed gestures as reference; initial puppet attempts were abandoned for digital to avoid a comical look. Afterlife sequences featured matte paintings for ethereal realms and wormhole effects, enhancing the film's supernatural plot without relying on exhaustive practical sets. These innovations, despite the stress of rendering hundreds of shots on limited hardware, demonstrated Weta's ability to merge practical prosthetics with pioneering digital compositing.

Music

Score

The original score for The Frighteners was composed by , renowned for his collaborations with director on films such as Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) and Batman (1989), which showcased his ability to blend dark whimsy with orchestral intensity. Impressed by Peter Jackson's earlier work on Heavenly Creatures (1994), Elfman proactively offered to compose the music for one of Jackson's upcoming projects, leading to his selection for The Frighteners. Recorded in 1996 at in , the score was performed by an orchestra under the direction of conductor Artie Kane, with orchestrations by , Mark McKenzie, and Edgardo Simone. The sessions captured Elfman's vision through close collaboration with Jackson, ensuring the music aligned with the film's tone. Elfman's score features an eclectic style that mixes orchestral horror elements with quirky comedic flourishes and subtle rock-inspired rhythms, developing main themes that delve into protagonist Frank Bannister's tormented psyche and the playful chaos of ghostly encounters. Key cues include haunting, brooding motifs for the soul-collecting , and lively, upbeat passages for the comedic ghost trio in "The 'Lads'," which integrate seamlessly with the film's to amplify tension and eerie atmospheres. The score's unique sonic palette employs synthesizers for otherworldly effects and accents to evoke a limping, off-kilter menace, enhancing the film's by underscoring ghostly manifestations with pulsating rhythms and dissonant swells. The complete score on the runs approximately 41 minutes.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for The Frighteners incorporates licensed rock and alternative songs to underscore its horror-comedy tone, with selections spanning covers of 1970s classics by 1990s artists. Key tracks include The Mutton Birds' rendition of "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", which plays during the film's closing sequence and end credits, and Sonic Youth's version of "Superstar", featured in a pivotal radio scene. The commercial soundtrack album, , was released on July 16, 1996, by under Universal, serving as a to the film's theatrical rollout. Although primarily comprising Danny Elfman's original score across 14 tracks, the album concludes with ' cover as its 15th and final song, blending the licensed material with the bespoke music. These songs are integrated into transitional moments, syncing seamlessly with Elfman's score to heighten the film's eerie yet whimsical small-town Americana vibe.

Release

Marketing and promotion

Universal Pictures initiated a robust marketing campaign for The Frighteners after studio executives were impressed by an early rough cut of the film, prompting them to accelerate its rollout from an originally planned October 1996 Halloween release to July 19, 1996, to capitalize on the summer blockbuster season. This shift reflected enthusiasm for director Peter Jackson's blend of horror and comedy, positioning the movie to compete in a high-profile slot despite the ongoing Atlanta Olympics and competition from films like Independence Day. Trailers and promotional materials emphasized the film's groundbreaking CGI depictions of ghosts and leveraged Michael J. Fox's star appeal, framing The Frighteners as a lighthearted romp akin to a live-action Casper with humorous ghostly antics. Key visuals included Fox's character interacting with spectral figures, highlighting the innovations from Jackson's Weta Workshop to draw in audiences seeking effects-driven entertainment. The campaign's posters featured a stark image of a ghostly face against a white background, accompanied by the "Dead yet?", though Jackson later critiqued this approach as overly ambiguous and failing to convey the film's tonal depth. In interviews, Jackson discussed the breakthroughs, underscoring how the production's practical and digital techniques set new standards for cinema. The strategy primarily targeted U.S. viewers of horror-comedies, with limited emphasis on international markets despite the film's production.

Theatrical release

The world premiere of The Frighteners took place on July 17, 1996, in . The film received a wide theatrical release in the United States the following day, on July 19, 1996, across 1,669 theaters. It was distributed domestically by and earned an R rating from the of America (MPAA) for terror, violence, and language. Internationally, The Frighteners was handled by in several territories, with a limited rollout beginning in August 1996. Examples include a release in on August 1, 1996, and in on September 1, 1996, while saw its theatrical debut on December 26, 1996. The film received various age certifications abroad, such as equivalents to the MPAA's R rating in regions like the (BBFC 15) and (MA15+).

Home media

The Frighteners was first released on in the United States via on August 26, 1997, distributed by Universal Home Entertainment. The film's debut on DVD occurred on August 18, 1998, presented in format by Universal Studios Home Entertainment, though the initial edition lacked special features such as commentary or deleted scenes. A subsequent DVD arrived on May 17, 2003, with updated and inclusion of the theatrical version alongside supplementary materials. This was followed by a edition on November 29, 2005, featuring an extended 123-minute runtime with additional footage, director's commentary by , and behind-the-scenes content. Blu-ray editions began with Universal's 15th Anniversary Edition on September 13, 2011, which included both the 110-minute theatrical cut and the 123-minute , remastered in with audio, commentary tracks, and a four-hour making-of documentary directed by Jackson. In 2017, a region-free Blu-ray was issued in by TC Entertainment, offering high-definition presentation and Japanese . Arrow Video announced plans for a 25th 4K Blu-ray in 2021, but as of November 2025, the release remains pending, with potential availability targeted for late 2025. Digital releases became available in the 2010s, with the film periodically streaming on during rotational licensing periods and purchasable or rentable on platforms including and . As of 2025, it streams on Peacock Premium and is available for digital purchase on Amazon, Apple TV, , and Vudu. A 4K UHD Blu-ray remaster debuted internationally via Turbine Media's Ultimate Edition on December 2, 2022, exclusive to and featuring both cuts restored in 4K with and , audio, and extensive extras including a 196-page book and bonus Blu-rays with interviews. A limited SteelBook variant followed on October 29, 2024, maintaining the same technical specifications and packaging variations for collectors. International home media releases often featured region-specific adaptations, such as censored versions in the UK for a 15 rating, trimming violent scenes like the depiction of Patricia's mother on a bed, across VHS, DVD, and early Blu-ray editions to comply with BBFC guidelines. New Zealand editions, produced by local distributors, emphasized the film's domestic origins with packaging highlighting Wellington filming locations and contributions from WingNut Films. The film's home video performance provided significant aftermarket revenue, helping offset its modest theatrical earnings through strong ancillary sales in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly via DVD and rentals.

Reception

Box office

The Frighteners was released theatrically in the United States on July 19, 1996, opening in 1,675 theaters and earning $5.6 million during its first weekend, placing fifth at the behind Independence Day.https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0116365/ The film ultimately grossed $16.8 million domestically and $12.6 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $29.4 million against a of $30 million. Its theatrical run lasted approximately six weeks, with attendance dropping sharply after the second weekend—by about 50%—due to intensifying competition from other summer blockbusters. The summer release timing capitalized on the peak season for horror and comedy audiences, while Michael J. Fox's star power, following his success in the Back to the Future trilogy, helped drive initial interest. The film was a box office disappointment.

Critical reception

Upon its release, The Frighteners received mixed reviews from critics, with aggregate scores reflecting a divide between appreciation for its technical achievements and reservations about its narrative execution. On , the film holds a 65% approval rating based on 43 reviews, with an average score of 6.2/10. The site's critics consensus highlights its strengths in and direction while noting tonal inconsistencies: "Boasting top-notch and exuberant direction from , The Frighteners is visually striking but tonally uneven." assigns it a score of 52 out of 100, derived from 27 critic reviews, categorizing it as mixed or average, with 44% positive, 41% mixed, and the rest negative. Critics frequently praised Peter Jackson's innovative direction, the groundbreaking , and the film's successful blend of horror and comedy elements. Reviewers lauded the for their creativity and ambition, often citing them as a highlight that pushed boundaries in 1996 . The horror-comedy fusion drew favorable comparisons to classics like Ghostbusters for its supernatural humor and An American Werewolf in London for balancing scares with wit. However, common criticisms centered on inconsistent tone shifts between and horror, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped characters, which some felt undermined the story's potential. , in his review for the , awarded the film 2 out of 4 stars, faulting its over-reliance on at the expense of coherent storytelling, calling it a "frenetic" demo reel more than a fully realized narrative. magazine's Adam Smith gave it 3 out of 5 stars, deeming it "energetic but messy" due to tangled plotting and an overload of visual gags that occasionally disrupted the momentum. At the time of its 1996 release, reception was predominantly mixed, with audiences and critics uncertain about its genre-blending ambitions, contributing to modest performance. Over time, appreciation has grown, particularly for its pioneering effects work, which has been reevaluated as a precursor to Jackson's later successes in films like .

Accolades

The Frighteners received several nominations from genre-specific awards bodies in 1997, following its July 1996 theatrical release, with a strong emphasis on its horror elements and innovative . At the 23rd , presented by the Academy of , Fantasy and Horror Films on July 23, 1997, the film earned eight nominations but no wins. These included Best , Best Director for , Best Writing for and , Best Actor for , Best Supporting Actor for , Best Supporting Actress for , Best Special Effects, and Best Makeup. The nominations highlighted the groundbreaking work by Weta Digital, which played a key role in elevating the film's supernatural sequences. Michael J. Fox also received a for at the 1997 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, further underscoring the performances within the horror-comedy framework. Overall, the film's accolades were predominantly from horror and fantasy outlets, prioritizing technical innovations in effects and makeup over narrative or dramatic categories, reflecting its niche appeal in the genre landscape.

Legacy

Cultural impact

The Frighteners has developed a dedicated since its initial theatrical release, largely through home media availability that allowed audiences to discover its unique blend of horror and comedy. The film's , featuring an additional 12 minutes of footage, has been particularly influential in building this fanbase, as it restores more of Peter Jackson's original vision and enhances the narrative's emotional depth. Released on formats such as , DVD, and Blu-ray, including a 15th-anniversary edition, the movie has resonated with horror enthusiasts who appreciate its quirky characters and inventive storytelling, transforming it from a commercial disappointment into a beloved staple. In the horror-comedy genre, The Frighteners stands out for its pioneering use of CGI to depict ghosts, marking an early showcase for Weta Digital's capabilities and influencing subsequent films that integrate digital effects with supernatural humor. The ghostly trio assisting protagonist Frank Bannister—comprising the bumbling Stuart and Cyrus, alongside the eccentric —exemplify this approach, blending practical effects with groundbreaking to create memorable, ethereal antagonists and allies. This technical innovation not only heightened the film's visual appeal but also contributed to its appeal among fans of effects-driven comedies, paving the way for more seamless spectral representations in later works. The film's enduring legacy is evident in retrospective articles that highlight its status as an overlooked gem, with 2021 publications emphasizing its appeal and recommending it as essential Halloween viewing. For instance, analyses from that year celebrate its rewatchability and Michael J. Fox's charismatic performance, positioning it as a hidden treasure in Jackson's pre-Lord of the Rings oeuvre. While official merchandise remains limited, the film's legacy ties into Weta Workshop's broader output, drawing fans through behind-the-scenes appreciation rather than extensive collectibles. At its core, The Frighteners delves into themes of and the , using Frank's ability to see and interact with spirits as a metaphor for unresolved trauma following his wife's . The narrative portrays ghosts not merely as comedic foils but as manifestations of lingering sorrow, with the story's resolution offering a hopeful confrontation of loss. This emotional undercurrent, combined with Lucy's arc as a supportive figure navigating chaos, adds layers of resonance for viewers grappling with bereavement, making the film a thoughtful entry in the horror-comedy canon.

Influence on Peter Jackson's career

The Frighteners served as a pivotal breakthrough for Peter Jackson, showcasing his visual effects expertise to Hollywood audiences and bridging the gap between his earlier success with Heavenly Creatures (1994) and the monumental The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003). As Jackson's first major studio production, the film allowed him to demonstrate advanced CGI techniques through Weta Digital, which he co-founded, marking it as the company's inaugural feature-length project and a showcase for integrating digital ghosts with practical effects. This work impressed industry figures; after its release, Jackson pitched his Lord of the Rings adaptation to studios, leveraging the film's effects innovation. The film's production fostered key studio relationships that extended Jackson's career trajectory. Universal's investment of approximately $30 million in the New Zealand-shot project built trust in Jackson's ability to handle larger budgets and effects-heavy narratives, paving the way for future Hollywood opportunities despite the film's modest performance. Similarly, Weta Digital's innovative contributions—such as the skeletal entity—established the company's reputation, directly contributing to its selection for the visual effects contracts with . On a personal level, The Frighteners reaffirmed Jackson's roots in horror-comedy genres from his independent beginnings, while influencing his transition to epic fantasy by emphasizing a blend of practical and digital effects that became a hallmark of his later work. Retrospectively, articles from to 2022 have described the film as "near-forgotten" yet essential to Jackson's evolution, with him reflecting on it as a critical step in mastering big-budget filmmaking challenges. In the long term, The Frighteners elevated the film industry by highlighting its capacity for high-end VFX production outside Hollywood, boosting local talent and infrastructure through Weta's growth. No has materialized, despite occasional interest in expanding the story. In 2023, was reported to be developing a .

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_frighteners
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/
  3. https://www.slashfilm.com/1989924/peter-jackson-first-studio-film-frighteners-box-office-bomb/
  4. https://collider.com/peter-jackson-michael-j-fox-the-frighteners-cult-classic-another-chance/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/plotsummary/
  6. https://www.moriareviews.com/horror/frighteners-1996.htm
  7. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-frighteners-1996
  8. https://spoilertown.com/the-frighteners-1996/
  9. https://vhsrevival.com/2020/10/06/no-rest-for-the-wicked-spooks-and-serial-killers-in-peter-jacksons-the-frighteners/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/fullcredits/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65244394/
  12. https://www.joblo.com/the-frighteners-deconstructing/
  13. https://legacy.industrycentral.net/director_interviews/PJ01.HTM
  14. https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2008/great-directors/peter-jackson/
  15. https://www.framerated.co.uk/20-years-frighteners/
  16. http://www.filmscouts.com/scripts/matinee.cfm?Film=frighte&File=product
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/locations/
  18. https://www.joblo.com/the-best-movie-you-never-saw-the-frighteners/
  19. https://www.michaeljfox.org/michaels-story
  20. https://beforesandafters.com/2021/07/23/25-years-on-the-frighteners-still-thrills-as-weta-digitals-first-calling-card/
  21. http://www.vfxhq.com/1996/fright.html
  22. https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/frighteners-grim-reaper-backstory.html
  23. https://brothers-ink.com/2016/10/peter-jackson-and-the-frighteners-a-scary-and-fun-ride/
  24. https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/frighteners.html
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/1947000-Danny-Elfman-The-Frighteners-Music-From-The-Motion-Picture
  26. https://elfman.cinemusic.net/filmography/frighteners.html
  27. https://open.spotify.com/album/24Dzi5LVWl45x8koUDPqy2
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/soundtrack/
  29. https://the-frighteners.fandom.com/wiki/Songs_featured_in_The_Frighteners
  30. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-frighteners-mw0000188939
  31. https://www.soundtrackinfo.com/OST/frighteners/
  32. https://weminoredinfilm.com/2018/10/14/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-frighteners/
  33. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/frighteners-horror-movie-peter-jackson-peacock
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/releaseinfo/
  35. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Frighteners-The
  36. https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/the-frighteners-1200446176/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/companycredits/
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/parentalguide/
  39. https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/4832/The-Frighteners-1996.html
  40. https://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=631
  41. https://forum.dvdtalk.com/dvd-talk/433185-frighteners-directors-cut-11-29-05-a-15.html
  42. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Frighteners-Blu-ray/16134/
  43. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Frighteners-Blu-ray/384796/
  44. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Frighteners-Blu-ray/290740/
  45. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/robert-zemeckis-presents-the-frighteners
  46. https://www.amazon.com/Frighteners-Michael-J-Fox/dp/B000I9WW72
  47. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Frighteners-4K-Blu-ray/327602/
  48. https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/announcement/peter-jacksons-the-frighteners-scares-up-a-new-4k-uhd-steelbook-from-turbine-october-29th/49711
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/alternateversions/
  50. https://movies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Frighteners/Home_media
  51. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/The_Frighteners_%281996%29
  52. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0116365/
  53. https://screenrant.com/the-frighteners-peter-jackson-michael-j-fox-recommendation/
  54. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-frighteners/
  55. https://galaxyofgeek.com/2012/03/23/cinematic-soulmates-ghostbusters-and-the-frighteners/
  56. https://user.xmission.com/~tyranist/horror/reviews/f/Frighteners.html
  57. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_frighteners/reviews?type=top_critics
  58. https://wickedhorror.com/features/retrospectives/reassessing-situation-revisiting-frighteners-20-years-later/
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/awards/
  60. https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/movie-awards.php?movie-id=829670
  61. https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/richard-taylor/awards
  62. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001163/1997/1/
  63. https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3536524/love-90s-horror-peter-jacksons-frighteners-blended-horror-comedy-perfection/
  64. https://halloweenyearround.wordpress.com/2021/07/19/25-fun-facts-about-the-frighteners/
  65. https://www.joblo.com/peter-jackson-the-frighteners-the-best-movie-you-never-saw/
  66. https://horrorobsessive.com/2021/03/24/the-frighteners-peter-jacksons-wickedly-entertaining-and-near-forgotten-second-film/
  67. https://variety.com/2021/film/news/lord-of-the-rings-peter-jackson-risky-trilogy-1235123548/
  68. https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/peter-jacksons-oral-history-of-weta-digital/
  69. https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/the-frighteners-remake.html
  70. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stuff-to-watch/300350565/the-frighteners-the-film-that-paved-the-way-for-peter-jacksons-rings-hits-neon
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.