Poltergeist producer Steven Spielberg originally wanted Stephen King to write the film, but unfortunate timing kept the collaboration from happening.
Poltergeist's sinister clown doll gave many viewers nightmares, but in reality, a malfunctioning effect almost legitimately killed one of the actors.
Poltergeist has terrified audiences over the course of three films and a 2015 remake, and here's how the franchise ranks, worst to best.
The Conjuring series adapts true stories from the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, and its sequel explored the Enfield Poltergeist hauntings.
Poltergeist's ending sees the Freelings encounter multiple skeletons arising out of the ground, skeletons that once in fact belonged to real people.
Poltergeist 2's villain, the terrifying Reverend Kane, is a favorite of horror fans, but actor Julian Beck barely made it through production alive.