Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- gentle
- warm
- family movie night
- children's sleepover
What critics said
Critics overwhelmingly regarded this direct-to-video prequel as an inferior, poorly animated, and forgettable version of the original Casper.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Casper misses Ghost Central Station and becomes stranded among living people, where he befriends Chris Carson.
Chris longs for time with his workaholic single father Tim, whose mansion redevelopment work dominates his attention.
The ghost characters, including Casper and the Ghostly Trio, interact with the live-action Carson family and town.
Ghost Central Station and its leader Kibosh send Snivel to retrieve Casper after his unexplained absence.
Films like Casper: A Spirited Beginning, and why
Casper
Shared family fantasy, child friendship, supernatural comedy, and gentle fish out of water premise.
Hocus Pocus
Shared live-action family fantasy, young protagonists, ghosts, and comedic supernatural adventure.
The Little Vampire
Shared children's fantasy, a lonely child, friendly supernatural beings, and warm comic adventure.
The Haunted Mansion
Shared family-oriented ghost comedy, child-centered storytelling, and animated or effects-driven supernatural characters.
Movie Details
- Director
- Sean McNamara
- Release Date
- 1997-09-09
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (342)
Cast
- Steve Guttenberg
- Lori Loughlin
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Michael McKean
- Brendon Ryan Barrett
- Jeremy Foley
- Bill Farmer
- Jess Harnell
- Jim Ward
- Pauly Shore
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Casper: A Spirited Beginning about?
- A friendly young ghost befriends a lonely boy while evading supernatural authorities and learning how to become a better spirit.
- What is Casper: A Spirited Beginning like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Casper: A Spirited Beginning as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Casper: A Spirited Beginning violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Casper: A Spirited Beginning as mild.
- What did critics think of Casper: A Spirited Beginning?
- Critics overwhelmingly regarded this direct-to-video prequel as an inferior, poorly animated, and forgettable version of the original Casper.
- Which films are like Casper: A Spirited Beginning?
- Films with a similar feel include Casper, Hocus Pocus, The Little Vampire, and The Haunted Mansion.
- How long is Casper: A Spirited Beginning?
- Casper: A Spirited Beginning runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Casper: A Spirited Beginning?
- In United States, Casper: A Spirited Beginning is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
