The Haunting
A paranormal research team enters a notoriously lethal mansion, where unseen forces turn psychological unease into terrifying supernatural danger.
Overview
A chilling exploration of the unknown as a group confronts the malevolent forces of a haunted mansion.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- eerie
- claustrophobic
- foreboding
- late night horror viewing
- classic horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a stylish, deeply atmospheric and influential haunted-house film whose cinematography, production design, and performances outweigh weaknesses in plot logic and character motivation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hill House dominates the film through its oppressive design, warped spaces, and uncanny physical presence.
The ghostly presence manifests through disturbances and deadly pressure while remaining largely invisible.
Eleanor's insecurity, psychic sensitivity, and growing attunement to Hill House make her central to the haunting's psychological force.
The investigation continually leaves room for competing interpretations of the house and Eleanor's experiences.
Films like The Haunting, and why
The Innocents
shared haunted house setting, atmospheric psychological horror, and ambiguous supernatural menace
The Uninvited
shared classic ghost story tradition, elegant black-and-white style, and supernatural dread
House on Haunted Hill
shared mansion-centered horror, ensemble investigation, and escalating paranormal threat
The Others
shared psychological horror, claustrophobic domestic space, and unseen menace
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Wise
- Release Date
- 1963-03-28
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (737)
Cast
- Julie Harris
- Claire Bloom
- Richard Johnson
- Russ Tamblyn
- Fay Compton
- Rosalie Crutchley
- Lois Maxwell
- Valentine Dyall
- Diane Clare
- Ronald Adam
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 The Haunting about?
- A paranormal research team enters a notoriously lethal mansion, where unseen forces turn psychological unease into terrifying supernatural danger.
- What is The Haunting like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Haunting as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Haunting violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Haunting as mild.
- What did critics think of The Haunting?
- Critics broadly regard it as a stylish, deeply atmospheric and influential haunted-house film whose cinematography, production design, and performances outweigh weaknesses in plot logic and character motivation.
- Which films are like The Haunting?
- Films with a similar feel include The Innocents, The Uninvited, House on Haunted Hill, and The Others.
- How long is The Haunting?
- The Haunting runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Haunting?
- In United States, The Haunting is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
