IMDb RATING
4.4/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
A widowed father tries to support his children after he becomes a ghost in an accident.A widowed father tries to support his children after he becomes a ghost in an accident.A widowed father tries to support his children after he becomes a ghost in an accident.
- Awards
- 3 nominations total
Brian Stokes Mitchell
- Teacher
- (as Brian Mitchell)
Featured reviews
This is a fun family movie, but the plot isn't solid. This movie left me with a lot of questions. What was up with the cab driver and who does he think he is? Why did Stuart threaten his best friend's father? That's pretty bold of him to do that. Why at one point, could Elliot talk weird in one part and talk normal in another? Also when the company comes over to visit, it's day time, and some minutes later, when Stuart calls, Elliot went to his house and the sun was already down long ago. That reminds me, if Stuart threatened me like that, he would have his bratty self have the police called on. And, not all was resolved in the end. Elliot lost his job, Danny lost a friend of his, and Diane lost a potential boyfriend. Still, nevertheless, Elliot's extremist and eccentric behavior was definitely funny. Though plagued by errors, this makes for a good family film and is better than Home Alone 4.
OK so let's be honest here "Ghost Dad" is not any place near to being a great movie or the best movie you will ever watch. But at the same time it is also not what so many people say it is which is a horrible movie or even "the worst movie of all time"... for one thing it is Bill Cosby back in his time as one of the best comedians and entertainers, in his prime. So that alone means that there is going to be some really funny entertainment value in this movie. The movie can be a little darker than most things you would expect out of Bill Cosby but in a way that made it a little more special. I don't want to give away too much of the story for you people but near the beginning Cosby is in a horrible car accident with a crazy devil-worshipping cab driver and comes back as a ghost, trying to get back to his family and learning what's really important in his life.
If one were to hear of a movie concerning the antics of a dead Bill Cosby trying to help his children, the cineast in you would not be stirred to see/rent it. However, I still managed to be unpleasantly surprised by the gall of this movie. Each turn around the seemingly aimless plot reveals fresh idiocy. Every moment of Cosby's acting seems an excuse for a new stupid face to pull, though even these become horrendous. One is left with an over-riding feeling of disbelief, after having been asked to suspend exactly that from new levels for the duration of the picture. I suppose really odd Dana Ashcroft fanatics may wish to see this. But this movie is for children. Stupid children.
Ghost Dad is one of those movies that has that sort of corney cheesy feel to it, but is very entertaining and fun. I remember watching this as a kid on TV and the one part that always stuck in my mind was when Elliot (Cosby) is done getting his life insurance physical, and he's walking down the hall and his face and hands are gone, and his sun glasses and hat are floating above is body. That's always been my favorite part in the movie, just because it had freaked me out as a little kid. Well, over 10 years passed, and I finally saw the movie again. Needless to say, that part looked a lot different than I remember it. The part where he goes 'through' the bus, and when he falls though the floor are other parts that I remember pretty well too. Anyway, I definitely recommend this movie. The only part I can see a problem with around younger kids is when he comes through the phone, and chokes the guy, and used the 'b' word a couple times.
Buy it, rent it, or watch it on TV. Either way, you'll like it!
Buy it, rent it, or watch it on TV. Either way, you'll like it!
This movie is far and away the BEST and GREATEST movie ever made. I may not know all that there is to know about cinematic technique. I hold no degree in Film or Photography. I have not studied writing, acting or directing, nor have I watched many so called "classic" films. However, I still feel that I am qualified to say that Ghost Dad is the pinnacle of achievement in the realm of motion pictures. Bill Cosby is a genius, and offers a finely tuned performance which recalls the "ghost" of all of his viewers' "dads." Wonderfully cast, superbly directed, touchingly photographed, and ably written, this film will no doubt stand the test of time to supplant "Citizen Kane" at the top of the cinematic hierarchy.
Did you know
- TriviaSteve Martin was originally set to star as Elliot Hopper, with John Badham directing.
- GoofsThe song "Miss You Much," by Terry Lewis, is credited to Jerry Lewis in the end credits.
- Quotes
Elliot Hopper: Now, you listen to me, you little bag of pig puke! You mention one word to anybody about this, and so help me, I'll do things to you that you can't even imagine! You try to threaten me? I don't get frightened. I GIVE frighten, you little twerp! What do you think about this?
[raises a flashlight to face, which disappears]
Stuart: [screams in fright]
Elliot Hopper: Hah!
Stuart: [faints]
Elliot Hopper: Good night.
- Alternate versions12 minutes worth of deleted scenes were shown on NBC and USA Network.
- SoundtracksBetrayal
(Theme from Le Convoi de la peur (1977))
Music by Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke (as Christoph Franke) and Peter Baumann
Performed by Tangerine Dream
- How long is Ghost Dad?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $24,707,633
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,803,480
- Jul 1, 1990
- Gross worldwide
- $25,421,633
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