10 Horror Movie Trailers Scarier Than The Actual Film

2. Poltergeist II: The Other Side

1982’s Poltergeist was led by Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper, so it unsurprisingly struck an almost immaculate balance of charming childhood whimsy, dense family dynamics, and timelessly terrifying sequences. Despite neither of them returning for its sequel, the promo for 1986’s Poltergeist II: The Other Side showed a lot of potential.

It starts by contrasting two highly creepy scenes – Carol Anne talking to her dead grandmother on a toy phone and Rev. Kane trying to enter the grandmother’s house – to hint at impending torment. That sense of inescapable evil increases as storm sounds and Kane’s maniacal presence are juxtaposed by flashes of the Freeling family shrieking at supernatural set pieces.

It’s truly a masterclass in editing and audio design, and regardless of how successful those moments are in context, they can’t compensate for the finished film’s cornier and lazier execution.

Aside from lacking the cohesiveness and complexity of its predecessor, Poltergeist II isn’t nearly as well balanced tonally because it leans too far into its cheesy fantasy/mystical tone. With no disrespect meant toward actor Will Sampson or the culture/history he represents, that issue is most felt in the special effects and lame interactions involving Native American shaman Taylor.

Beyond that, the finale – during which matriarch Diane goes into the Other Side to rescue Carol Anne and reunite with her mother – is embarrassingly schmaltzy and cheap-looking.

1988's Poltergeist III may be the worst of the bunch overall, but at least it's more hair-raising than Poltergeist II.