Amazon MGM Studios Developing New 'Poltergeist' TV Series

A new report from Variety reveals that Amazon MGM Studios is developing a television series based on the classic horror film Poltergeist. The series will be set in the same universe as the original 1982 film, which told the story of the Freelings, a California family whose home is invaded by ghosts that abduct their daughter. While a writer has not yet been attached to the project, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey will produce the series for Amblin Television. The original film was produced and written by Steven Spielberg, but it is uncertain if he will be involved in the upcoming series.

Though plot details remain slim, Amazon has a plethora of source material to draw upon for the new show. Following the success of the original 1982 film, which starred Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, and Beatrice Straight, Poltergeist expanded into a fully-fledged horror franchise with two sequels: Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III, released in 1986 and 1988 respectively. These subsequent films continued the story of the Freeling family as they grappled with more supernatural demons and ghosts. However, it remains uncertain if the new series will pick up where the Freeling story left off.

This Isn't the First Attempt at a 'Poltergeist' TV Show

Although Poltergeist is often remembered as a film series, there have been previous attempts to adapt it for the small screen. In 1996, Showtime premiered Poltergeist: The Legacy, a loosely-based television series that explored the general Poltergeist theme but did not involve the Freelings. The rights to the show were later acquired by the Sci-Fi Channel, and it aired for four seasons before its cancellation.

There was also an effort to revive interest in Poltergeist at cinemas, with a 2015 remake by horror veteran Sam Raimi, also titled Poltergeist. However, unlike the original trio of films, this reboot, led by 20th Century, received primarily negative reviews and failed to make an impact at the box office. Nonetheless, Amazon's latest venture to breathe new life into Poltergeist demonstrates their ongoing commitment to adapting beloved film franchises into television series. No release date has been announced yet for the Poltergeist series.

Poltergeist

In a calm suburban area of California, a typical family faced a terrifying experience when their house was invaded by a Poltergeist. Late at night, young Carol Anne Freeling, who is only 10 years old, hears a voice coming from their television set. Initially, the spirits that entered the Freeling's home appeared to be mischievous children, but their behavior soon turned hostile. When Carol Anne is unexpectedly taken to another world, her parents, Steve and Diane Freeling, seek help from an exorcist named Zelda Rubinstein. This horror classic, directed by Tobe Hooper and produced and written by Steven Spielberg, explores the terrifying events that unfold in this family's life.

Release Date: June 4, 1982

Director: Tobe Hooper

Cast: Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins, Heather O'Rourke

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 minutes

Main Genre: Horror

Editor's P/S

As a fan of the original "Poltergeist" film, I am both excited and apprehensive about the upcoming TV series. On the one hand, I am thrilled to see the story continue and to learn more about the Freeling family and their experiences with the supernatural. On the other hand, I am worried that the series will not live up to the original film, which is a classic of the horror genre.

I think the key to a successful "Poltergeist" TV series will be to stay true to the spirit of the original film while also updating it for a modern audience. The series should be scary, but it should also have the same sense of humor and heart that made the original film so popular. I am confident that Amazon MGM Studios can pull this off, and I am looking forward to seeing what they do with the franchise.