While Peter Jackson is best known for directing the legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy, his earlier work includes a hidden gem that horror-comedy fans shouldn’t miss—1996’s The Frighteners. Starring Michael J. Fox, The Frighteners may have flopped at the box office, but it remains a fun, inventive film that showcases Jackson’s signature mix of horror, humor, and heart.
Peter Jackson’s Path to The Frighteners
Before his Oscar-winning fantasy epics, Peter Jackson gained recognition for offbeat, low-budget horror films like Bad Taste and the zombie splatterfest Braindead (aka Dead Alive). He shocked critics with the dramatic shift of 1994’s Heavenly Creatures, a psychological drama that earned acclaim and introduced Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey to the world.
Then came The Frighteners—Jackson’s last film before The Lord of the Rings, and his first U.S. studio production.
The Plot: Horror Comedy with a Supernatural Twist
In The Frighteners, Michael J. Fox plays Frank Bannister, a con man who can see ghosts and uses them to stage fake hauntings for cash. But things spiral when a real demonic presence starts killing people—and Frank is the only one who can stop it.
Initially conceived as a Tales from the Crypt spinoff and produced by Robert Zemeckis, the film blends Tim Burton-style gothic visuals with Weta Digital’s early visual effects work—long before they revolutionized CGI in The Lord of the Rings.
Why Did The Frighteners Bomb at the Box Office?
Despite its strong cast (including Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, Jake Busey, and R. Lee Ermey) and positive reviews, The Frighteners underperformed, grossing just $29 million on a $26 million budget. Some critics blamed its uneven tone—balancing slapstick comedy with darker supernatural themes—for its mixed reception.
Why The Frighteners Is Still Worth Watching in 2025
Fast forward to 2025, and The Frighteners feels ahead of its time. Fans of New Zealand horror comedies like What We Do in the Shadows or Housebound will appreciate Jackson’s quirky take on the genre. The film’s ambitious visuals, dark humor, and clever storytelling make it a must-watch for horror comedy fans and Peter Jackson completists.
Plus, the movie’s cult status continues to grow, with many revisiting it as an important stepping stone in Weta Digital’s evolution and Jackson’s journey from cult filmmaker to Hollywood heavyweight.
