Thereโs something strange in the neighbourhood in your Sunday night movie on M-Net this weekend, as Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones bust ghosts in New York City. The Ghostbusters reboot had us thinking about what other movies were haunted with a ghost and a sense of humour. Here are our eight spooked choices.
- Beetlejuice
Tim Burtonโs quirky comedy features Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as a ghostly couple attempting to haunt their house right after their death, when a city couple move in with their troubled teenaged daughter. But as sweet in death as they were in life, the new ghosts fail dismally at frightening the newcomers โ prompting them to enlist the help of sly spirit Betelgeuse, played with eccentric aplomb by Michael Keaton.
- Casper
Christina Ricci was at the height of her teen stardom when she was cast in this family-friendly film, based on the Harvey Comicsโ character. Moving into a mansion haunted by the titular character and his trio of mischievous uncles she soon befriends the former, who helps her outwit the filmโs brazen villain. Also starring Bill Pullman and Monty Python member Eric Idle, Casper was the first feature film to cast a completely CGI character in a main role.
- Ghost
It doesnโt start on a happy note, but soon moves into lighter terrain thanks to Whoopi Goldbergโs charismatic performance as a pseudo psychic. In fact, she was so memorable in the role it won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Along with Goldbergโs performance, the film has also cemented its place in history thanks to its pottery wheel scene that has been endlessly spoofed.
- Ghostbusters
Your Sunday night movie is a reboot of this โ80sโ classic, and although it features its own knockout cast of comedic actors, nothing tops the original. With its witty script, unforgettable theme song, a slew of creatively conceived ghosts, spirits and demons, and dazzling special effects, itโs secured its place in the genre and in film history.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
It may not exclusively feature comedy or ghosts, but with resident Hogwartsโ ghost Moaning Myrtle โ as well as Nearly Headless Nick โ providing plenty of lighter entertainment in this dark sequel, we thought it deserved a spot on our list.
- Scary Movie
It may have turned into a tawdry and tasteless franchise, but thereโs no denying the sly and cheeky humour of the spoof that started it all. Ripping off โ90s teen slashers such as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, it also sends up ghostly classics of the era such as The Sixth Sense and The Blair Witch Project.
- Scooby-Doo
The dog detective and his human entourage made their live-action feature film debut in 2002. Admittedly of questionable quality, itโs perfect if youโre looking for a bit of escapist popcorn fluff; and since the titular canine is so renowned in the world of comedic ghost hunting, he had to be included.
- The Frighteners
The early work of Peter Jackson is often overlooked, thanks to hobbit- and Kong-sized shadows. Having a whale of a time with rat-monkeys and aliens in his early career, he soon turned to ghosts in this horror comedy starring Michael J. Fox as a duplicitous ghost exorcist.
Want to send chills down your spine and tickle your funny bone? Tune intoย Ghostbusters, your Sunday night movie on 9 July at 20:05 on M-Net.
Ainโt afraid of no ghosts? Tune into your other Sunday night movie selections.
On M-Net Movies Premiere at 20:30, Meryl Streep warbles her way to her 20th Oscar nomination in Florence Foster Jenkins.
On M-Net at 22:50, two sisters take a trip down memory lane in French drama For A Woman.
What will you be watching this weekend? Share your selection on social media using the hashtag #SundayNightMovie.