The Haunting (1999)

17% of critics liked it
(89 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(116,908 ratings)

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 death at Hill House, and ever since tales have circulated that the mansion is haunted by evil… More 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 death 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

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Jan de Bont
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Horror

In Theaters: Jul 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Nov 23, 1999
Studio: DreamWorks SKG

Critic Reviews

Robert Horton, Film.com
This film relies on special effects instead of suggestion, plot instead of mood, and explanation instead of mystery.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
All logic is deadened by the obnoxious special effects!
Ernest Hardy, Film.com
There are few truly frightening moments in the film, little tension or real sense of menace, and the camp humor that is suggested in early scenes dissipates fairly quickly.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
To my surprise, I find myself recommending The Haunting on the basis of its locations, its sets, its art direction, its sound design, and the overall splendor of its visuals.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
A lavish illustration of how to take a fairly modest black-and -white horror film from 1963 and amplify it so relentlessly that the sight of the flying cow in Twister would not be all that amiss.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
A mess, a jumble of fancy special effects that are supposed to be scary but are really just fancy, further decorated with dribbles of dialogue, most of which are unintentionally hilarious.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Unfortunately, the film's sets and special effects overwhelm its plot and cast.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
High-tech remake is dumb and overblown.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
When you're not yawning at the digital ghosts, you're watching a cast of fine actors dogpaddling in cliches and terrible dialogue.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...testament to the fact that well enough should be left alone.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the scariest scene...was when Nell was sleeping with her feet outside the covers. Forget the Blair Witch. Has she never heard of the Bed Witch?

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Eric A

Didn't feel scared at all, even as a 10 year old when it was released. Poor effects and poor acting, FAIL.
moon r

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… More
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 classic. 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.
Dead A

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… More
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 more scary (but I thought it was a pointless attempt). Anyway, it became boring and weird in the end. Don't recommend you to watch.
Rachel F

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.
Dean M

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 <i>The… More
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 <i>The Haunting</i>.
Tim S

Saw it once in theatres. That was MORE than enough.
Wahida K

One of the great Piece with Liam Neeson.
Anthony L

A very stupid film made when Owen Wilson still got killed in all his films.
Jason O

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… More
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't 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!
Randy T

Yet another example of a remake gone awry. This one doesn't even come close to matching the tangible creepiness of the original.
Summer W

The original was was better. This one was a circus.
_kelly .

the strong production value and cast are unevenly matched with the poor script and editing
Drew S

This is one of the most awkward movies I've ever seen. Why? Here is a checklist: - Liam Neeson sounds like Count Chocula - Catherine Zeta-Jones is the least enthralling lesbian ever - Everyone repeats each other. "Are you Mr. Dudley, the caretaker?" "Yeah,… More
This is one of the most awkward movies I've ever seen. Why? Here is a checklist: - Liam Neeson sounds like Count Chocula - Catherine Zeta-Jones is the least enthralling lesbian ever - Everyone repeats each other. "Are you Mr. Dudley, the caretaker?" "Yeah, I'm Mr. Dudley, the caretaker." - The film was made for idiots. Take the scene where there's bloody writing on the wall that says "Welcome home Eleanor." That's not too bad until Eleanor screams "That's my name!" DUUUUURRR THANKS. - The performances are seriously bizarre. All the characters may seem like adults, but are secretly 5 years old - This remake manages to take the metered pacing of the original and turn it straight up boring because Jan de Bont has no talent - The climax is ridiculous - Even the tagline is awful: "Some houses are born bad." Houses aren't born! When was the last time you saw a house with a birth canal? Fucking Hollywood.
Film C

when i firt watched it i thought it was really really scary and i was aged about 10 i have seen it a couple more times and i am now 15 an it stills frighten the shit out of me
Curtis L

okay
William S

Hey lets remake that great film from the 60s where it scared the bejeezus out of everyone but, instead of subtle scares and playing on the audiences' fear of the dark and the unknown, lets make it really bright and dumb with lots of monsters and special effects and turn it into… More
Hey lets remake that great film from the 60s where it scared the bejeezus out of everyone but, instead of subtle scares and playing on the audiences' fear of the dark and the unknown, lets make it really bright and dumb with lots of monsters and special effects and turn it into a pile of crap that's bound to sell a packet. We can get that Zeta Jones woman in to play the bisexual and chop off Owen Wilson's head half way through for a great scary laugh - that should get 'em talking! Oh fuck off!
Emily A

Frankly, I think this movie relied too much on special effects and missed the point of the original. Having said that, this was still a pretty impressive and beautiful horror movie. The acting and sets and effects were all formidable, and very nearly makes you forget its shortcomings.… More
Frankly, I think this movie relied too much on special effects and missed the point of the original. Having said that, this was still a pretty impressive and beautiful horror movie. The acting and sets and effects were all formidable, and very nearly makes you forget its shortcomings. Nearly. This film is not long on story or dread build-up, and therein lay the source of the scares in the original. This is a pretty good departure from its source material.
Lady D

Let me start by saying the special effects in this film were fantastic, but that's not the only reason to watch this film. The performance by Lili Taylor was quite something and was supported well by Catherine Zeta Jones and Liam Neeson and even Owen Wilson acting his usual self… More
Let me start by saying the special effects in this film were fantastic, but that's not the only reason to watch this film. The performance by Lili Taylor was quite something and was supported well by Catherine Zeta Jones and Liam Neeson and even Owen Wilson acting his usual self fitted in well. My only complaint about the film would be the ending was ever so slightly drawn out, but I recommend this as a definite watch.
Dean !

A pretty good remake of the earlier film. The location and effects make this film. A bunch of people with sleeping disorders stay at a remote English estate to be monitored......or are they there for another reason?
Lafe F

CGI effects got hugely in the way of this overrated flop. The house was too complicated and grand to really be something I could relate to. It was huge around the time of the Phantom Menace (probably due to Liam Neeson), but now it's forgotten. It's biggest inspiration was a… More
CGI effects got hugely in the way of this overrated flop. The house was too complicated and grand to really be something I could relate to. It was huge around the time of the Phantom Menace (probably due to Liam Neeson), but now it's forgotten. It's biggest inspiration was a comedy takeoff in "Scary Movie 2". CGI killed most of it.