The Frighteners (1996)

“I’ve seen this movie dozens of times” - Andrew

On this week’s episode, we’re kicking off the 2026 Halloween Spooktacular in grand fashion as we go long on Peter Jackson’s super-fun, paranormal comedy, The Frighteners!

Should they have tried to nail down a set of ghost rules for our spooky characters? Couldn’t Universal have waited and released this banger in October, instead of the summer, especially when Peter Jackson & Co. hadn’t finished the special effects?! How fantastic is Michael J. Fox leading this movie? Should the studio have let Jackson go even wilder with the horror elements? Is this movie, fun as it is, possibly overstuffed? Are there many things more spooktacular than Jake Busey’s terrifying, vacant stare? And who wants to make a rezzy and grab dinner at Excalibur’s? PLUS: A Spooktacular round of the VHS Trailer Game! 

The Frighteners stars Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, John Astin, Chi McBride, Jim Fife, Troy Evans, Julianna McCarthy, R. Lee Ermey, Elizabeth Hawthorne, and Jake Busey as Johnny Bartlett; directed by Peter Jackson.

This episode is brought to you by Storyblocks! Head to Storyblocks Dot Com slash WHM to access the human-made stock media library that’s essential to our workflow. For a limited time, Storyblocks is offering 15% off any annual plan, and that discount is only available through our link. Again, that’s Storyblocks Dot Com slash WHM for 15% off annual plans. 

Be sure to visit the WHM Merch shop over on Dashery and check out all the latest show-related designs you can slap on t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, stickers, whatever! Make your friends jealous by flaunting some WHM merch today!

Original cover art by Felipe Sobreiro.