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You may recognize the name from the horror movie franchise 'Poltergeist.' But did you know that a series of macabre events affected the cast after filming? So much so that these episodes became known as the 'Poltergeist curse.'

Skeptical about the phenomenon? Read through the gallery and draw your own conclusions about poltergeists.

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According to Metro, the term derives from two German words: "Poltern," which means to make noise, and "Geist," which means ghost.

▲The name is associated with paranormal phenomena like banging, moving objects, or even spontaneous combustion.

▲These activities are attributed to mocking spirits or demons.

▲One theory is that ghosts are actually disturbed spirits who use the energy around them to become known. They also manifest when they notice changes in the environment, Metro explains.

▲But what are the differences between poltergeist activity and a regular haunting?

▲Hauntings are usually linked to a place or to ghosts that inhabit certain spaces. Poltergeists usually affect specific people.

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According to The Paranormal Society, each phenomenon can begin subtly, and then become more intense with voices and apparitions featuring.

▲The Paranormal Society adds that poltergeist activity is usually associated with the presence of an adolescent girl.

▲When the person associated with the activity is removed, the activity usually stops.

▲Some studies associate these poltergeist with psychokinesis, which is the ability to move things by the power of the mind, The Paranormal Society reports.

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Some people believe that poltergeist activity is associated with disturbing spirits, says Live Science.

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Cases of possession by poltergeist energy have been reported. The person usually isn't aware of the event, Metro reports.

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Metro further states that exorcism techniques are used to remove a poltergeist. This is usually a time-consuming and difficult process.

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The poltergeist phenomenon has been portrayed in many movies and some of the behind-the-scenes stories are pretty scary.

▲These movies became horror classics but also caught the public's attention for the macabre stories that followed filming.

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Coincidentally or not, many actors died after shooting supernatural movies.

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The movie 'Poltergeist' was released in 1982 and told the story of a family being tormented by poltergeist activity.

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The first tragic event happened the same year the movie hit the theaters. Dominique Dunne, who played Dana, was strangled to death by her boyfriend.

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'Poltergeist II: The Other Side' was released in 1986, and another tragic event took place that year.

▲Actor Julian Beck, who played Reverend Henry Kane, died from stomach cancer months before the release of the second film.

▲A year after the movie premiered, another cast member died. Will Sampson reportedly died of a heart attack.

▲But the darkest story happened shortly before the third film, 'Poltergeist III,' hit the big screen in 1988.

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The most-remembered character in the trilogy is undoubtedly Carol Anne, played by the young actress Heather O'Rourke.

▲Heather O'Rourke died at the age of 12, just before the movie debuted in theaters.

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She died of cardiac-pulmonary arrest and septic shock, due to an undetected intestinal blockage, People reported at the time.

▲Drew Barrymore auditioned to play the role of Carol Anne, according to the Independent.

▲The tragic stories surrounding the film franchise became known as the Poltergeist Curse. Oliver Robbins, who played Robbie, says the curse is nothing but a myth, reports the Mirror.

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In 2015, another version of 'Poltergeist' hit the big screen. The movie directed by Gil Kenan tells the story of a family tormented by spirits.

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Mind power? Spirits? Demons? Imagination?What do you think poltergeist activity really is?

The terrifying truth about poltergeists

The paranormal phenomenon that inspired horror movies

03/05/25 por StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Poltergeist

You may recognize the name from the horror movie franchise 'Poltergeist.' But did you know that a series of macabre events affected the cast after filming? So much so that these episodes became known as the 'Poltergeist curse.' Skeptical about the phenomenon? Read through the gallery and draw your own conclusions about poltergeists.