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Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, Owen Wilson, Bruce Dern ... see more see more... , Marian Seldes , Alix Koromzay , Todd Field , Virginia Madsen , Kelsey Mulrooney

In the 1860's, industrialist Hugh Crain financed the construction of Hill House, a beautiful but forbidding mansion where Crain hoped to house a wife and children. However, Crain died an unexplained d... read more read more...eath at Hill House, and ever since tales have circulated that the mansion is haunted by evil spirits. 130 years later, Dr. David Marrow (Liam Neeson), long fascinated by the Hill House legend, brings three people there for what he tells them will be a study in sleep disorders. Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is outwardly brave, but it soon becomes evident that Hill House's sinister reputation has her on edge. Luke (Owen Wilson) quickly finds himself wondering: if this is really about studying sleep, why bring everyone to a haunted house? And Nell (Lili Taylor) finds herself inexplicably drawn to the mansion, with a fascination that soon bears terrifying fruit as the true story of Hill House is revealed. The Haunting was directed by Jan de Bont; the screenplay was written by David Self and based on Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting Of Hill House, which was also the basis for Robert Wise's 1963 film The Haunting, widely regarded as one of the screen's finest ghost stories. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

42% liked it

116,908 ratings

Critics

17% liked it

89 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Jan de Bont

Release Date: July 1, 1999

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DVD Release Date: November 23, 1999

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Stats: 3,653 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,653)

  • moonrivers
    March 12, 2012
    moonrivers
    It's not the first one, that's true. It's a different take on a similar story. A certain scientist wants to do a study, an experiment. He gathers a team together and they meet at this mysterious mansion in upstate New York, all very similar to the first movie, an undeniable cl... read moreassic. But then the night comes. The dark ... and then ... and then, well, there are some chills here too. Different. But chills. In the night. In the dark.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    March 8, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Somewhat decent remake of the same name, The Haunting lacks the terrifying atmosphere of the original film, and instead relies more on special effects. The result is an entertaining film that isn't too memorable. The film is worth seeing, but compared to the original, it doesn't ... read moreeven come close. The film is what I'd call a decent popcorn horror flick. The film isn't memorable in anyways, but it does manage to be a mindless fun horror flick But like every other remake, this film suffers limitations and the full potential isn't realized. The cast are decent, and the plot is not too bad. However this is the type of film only worth watching once. Liam Neeson is the best actor here, and he really does make this film worth seeing. The film relies more on special effects this around to create its horror, but it lacks anything truly terrifying. The problem with films that rely on special effects, is that they become almost exclusively reliant on that to create tension, thus there is no need to truly build a harrowing, terrifying atmosphere. This film, like every other remake, lacks the power of the original film. There are some shocks to be had here and there, but for the most part, there's something missing to really make this a worthy remake. Overall, a fun but forgettable film, it has style, mediocre substance, but in the end it's enjoyable if you're looking for a horror flick that is more special effects oriented than atmosphere oriented; this is the film for you. The film ranges from decent to mediocre, never anything good or remarkable. This is the type of film that is meant for an audience that doesn't want old school traditional horror to their horror experience.
  • fb729949618
    October 2, 2011
    fb729949618
    Didn't feel scared at all, even as a 10 year old when it was released. Poor effects and poor acting, FAIL.
  • 3niR
    May 18, 2011
    3niR
    At first, I thought this was going to be really good (sleepless nights, if you know what I mean). I'm not saying that this wasn't good. But it wasn't the best either. Owen Wilson's death (sorry for spoiling, if you haven't watch it) was unnecessary. It was like making the movie m... read moreore scary (but I thought it was a pointless attempt). Anyway, it became boring and weird in the end. Don't recommend you to watch.
  • gatorgirl13
    September 11, 2010
    gatorgirl13
    I'm not usually a fan of 'scary' movies, but this one was pretty good. It's got a bit of a psychological thriller-type feel, which I love.
  • deano
    May 16, 2010
    deano
    Forgot Robert Wise's classic film and Shirley Jackson's gripping, original story - both of which allowed the viewer to imagine the terror - and you may get a few thrills out of this blatant, special-effects-laden scarefest.
    Horror remake of 1963's The Haunting.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 23, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Saw it once in theatres. That was MORE than enough.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 8, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    One of the great Piece with Liam Neeson.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    A very stupid film made when Owen Wilson still got killed in all his films.
  • stormyweather980
    August 15, 2009
    stormyweather980
    I can't believe some of the reviews that I've read on Amazon's website. "The Haunting" is one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. I didn't see anything that I didn't like about it.
    Some people that are part of an experiment have to stay overnight in a house that they don'... read moret know is haunted. One of the women finds out that she is part of the family that died in the house and that she needs to stay there.

    The reason I liked "The Haunting" so much is because it did what most horror movies never have. It combines some great special effects with a good story that's actually a little bit haunting. Without a doubt, "The Haunting" has the best special effects I've ever seen in a horror movie. The haunted house that was used in the movie couldn't have been any better. The sound effects are also well done, like when you see the statues of kids and you can hear them all calling for Eleanor's help.

    If you like great horror movies, you can't miss "The Haunting." I can't believe it's not more popular than it is because I couldn't find anything I didn't like about it. Unlike most horror movies, it actually gave me a sense of fear from time to time and it kept me entertained all the way through. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000, and this is still a favorite of mine. I've seen the original now and this one is much better in my book, one of the best remakes ever. Love how the house comes alive!

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Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

Director Jan De Bont may have made a cow fly in Twister, but he can't keep the howling dog called The Haunting from spinning into FX excess.

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The actors are basically helpless with this. Full Review

Philip Wuntch
January 1, 2000
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News

When The Haunting finally limps to its conclusion, you may feel like booing the screen. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The only thing scary about the new version is realizing that someone keeps giving director Jan De Bont money to make movies. Full Review

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

If you crave horror, you're better off seeing The Blair Witch Project a second or third.

Michael Wilmington
January 1, 2000
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

In The Haunting, the moviemakers succeed in something very difficult: creating a haunted house with real personality and terror.

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 1, 2000
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Worse than awful! Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The characters are on the dramatic equivalent of Death Row. Full Review

Desmond Ryan
January 1, 2000
Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer

A passable piece of summer hokum, but it underlines how difficult it has become to make an effective horror movie.

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

All logic is deadened by the obnoxious special effects! Full Review

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Facts

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    • Nell: Welcome home Eleanor...
    • Luke: I didn't do it.
    • Luke: It's not gonna hold your weight there! It's breaking apart!
    • Luke: Do you think Dr.Marrow's up to something?
    • Luke: These carvings are really creepy!
    • Luke: Wow, You're so dominant!
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The Haunting : Watch Free on TV

The Haunting Trivia

  • In what movie does Liam Neeson play a character by the name of Dr. David Marrow?  Answer »
  • What movie has the characters Theo, Nell, Luke and Dr. Marrow living under the same roof for a scintific experiment that goes terribly wrong?  Answer »
  • Robert Wise (who died in 2005) directed the award winning musical "The Sound of Music". He also directed the original of which horror film that has recently been remade?  Answer »
  • He was Henri Ducard in "Batman Begins" Godfrey in "Kingdom of Heaven" Dr. David Marrow in "The Haunting"   Answer »
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