Is Poltergeist Based on a True Story?

“They’re here…”

Few horror movie lines are as iconic as little Carol Anne’s warning in Poltergeist (1982). The film had everything — creepy TVs, clown dolls, skeletons in the swimming pool, and one of the most unsettling haunted house stories of all time. But here’s the question horror fans still ask: was Poltergeist based on a true story?

The Short Answer

Not exactly. Poltergeist wasn’t pulled directly from a real haunting. It was an original screenplay written by Steven Spielberg and Michael Grais, directed by Tobe Hooper (of Texas Chain Saw Massacre fame). But like all good ghost stories, it was inspired by real fears, legends, and urban myths.

The Inspiration Behind the Film

The core idea is simple: a family’s house is haunted because it was built on a cemetery. That taps into one of the oldest urban legends in the book — disturbing graves leads to angry spirits. Spielberg and Hooper didn’t invent that concept, but they gave it a terrifying suburban twist.

And in the early ’80s, stories about poltergeists (noisy, disruptive spirits) were all over paranormal books and TV specials. The film’s title itself comes from that folklore.

The “Real Skeletons” Myth

One thing that does tie back to reality is the rumor about the pool scene. The production used actual human skeletons as props (because at the time, they were cheaper than making realistic models). That detail has fueled decades of talk about the movie being “cursed” — especially since several cast members died tragically not long after filming.

The Poltergeist Curse

The so-called Poltergeist Curse is one of the biggest reasons people link the film to the supernatural. Heather O’Rourke (Carol Anne) died at just 12 years old from a misdiagnosed illness. Dominique Dunne (who played the older sister) was murdered in 1982. Other cast members also faced bizarre accidents or deaths.

While most of this can be explained as tragic coincidence, it only added to the legend that Poltergeist was more than just a movie.

Final Thought

So, is Poltergeist based on a true story? Not directly. The plot wasn’t ripped from any one haunting, but it tapped into old myths and fears about angry spirits, cemeteries, and things that go bump in the night. Add the eerie stories from behind the scenes, and it’s no wonder people still swear the film has something “real” about it.

Either way, Poltergeist remains one of the most unsettling haunted house films ever made. And next time your TV screen fuzzes into static? Yeah… you might think twice.

Sam