Highlights
- Poltergeist TV series in development at Amazon MGM Studios, offering a new lease on the franchise after a lackluster remake in 2015.
- Amazon is capitalizing on iconic franchises like Poltergeist, Robocop, and Legally Blonde as part of their streaming strategy.
- Poltergeist fans can expect something fresh and exciting as Amazon aims to establish itself as one of the best streaming services.
A Poltergeist TV series is in development at Amazon MGM Studios, based on the classic horror movie of the same name.
The Poltergeist franchise quickly made a name after the first film debuted to commercial success and critical acclaim in 1982. The original Steven Spielberg-produced film told the story of the Freeling family and the ordeals they endure after discovering their new home is infested with malevolent spirits. In keeping with the horror theme, there were many eerie rumors surrounding the original films, with some even going as far as suggesting that the cast and crew of Poltergeist were cursed, further deepening appreciation for the project among fans of the genre.
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After a lackluster theatrical Poltergeist remake in 2015, another opportunity for a new lease on the franchise has seemingly started on its way to reaching audiences worldwide. Variety revealed that a Poltergeist TV series is currently in development from Amazon MGM Studios in conjunction with Amblin Television, the television production wing of Amblin Partners. While there are no details on the writing or casting of the project, it has been confirmed that Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey will represent Amblin as executive producers on the project.
This move is the latest of a series of similar utilizations made by Amazon, which has been making good use of the IP it acquired when James Bond IP holder MGM went up for sale in late 2020. While many consider 007 the big win, the company held many other iconic franchises that Amazon was eager to capitalize on, including Robocop, Legally Blonde, Barbershop, and now Poltergeist. Having all these projects in early development and likely heading to the company’s streaming platform is the latest in a varied list of new streaming strategies that the major players in the market have undertaken in response to the shifting landscape.
Poltergeist isn’t the only property in the genre making the move to the TV format, as the similarly iconic Halloween franchise has big plans for the small screen at Miramax after a recent consolidation of plans for the franchise amongst IP rights holders. Unlike Halloween, this isn’t the first time the Poltergeist franchise will be on the small screen, as a television series based on the IP ran on the Sci-Fi channel in the '90s. While neither one of these projects is anywhere near close to release, the announcements coming in around the festive Halloween season are not an accident, as this tactic helps set the mood early for the eventual releases, which might also coincide with the spooky season.
Amazon has pushed itself hard to earn recognition for Prime as one of the best streaming services in recent times and shows no signs of slowing down its focus on amassing a veritable mountain of content on the platform to suit every taste. Fans will be able to judge for themselves soon enough if the strategy pays off, especially for Poltergeist fans expecting something fresh and exciting.
The Poltergeist franchise is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video with the AMC Plus add-on.
Source: Variety