Ghost Town

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2:25

Ghost Town

PG-13

2008

1h 43m

Comedy

Fantasy

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

185 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After a near-death experience during a routine colonoscopy, people-hating dentist Bertram Pincus is shocked to discover that he is suddenly able to talk to the dead. Constantly cornered by unhappy spirits who want him to help resolve their earthly problems, the misanthropic Pincus is driven to distraction. Eventually talked into helping the dearly departed Frank Herlihy, Pincus attempts to talk to Frank's widow, Gwen.

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Critics Consensus

Ricky Gervais' consistently sharp performance and beautifully dry execution transform this otherwise mainstream comedy into an endearing, funny, and altogether snappy romantic comedy. With ghosts.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 23, 2018

I like Gervais but now realise there is only so much I can take at the one sitting.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Feb 20, 2009

4/5

Ghost Town is both a surprise and a departure: it's genuinely funny and quietly original. It also shows what Gervais can do in the right role.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

Feb 13, 2009

3/5

Writer-director David Koepp is almost too careful a craftsman for his own good, but Gervais and Leoni share a talent for throwing the audience off-balance...

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 4, 2024

3/4

The film’s most successful elements are not spiritual but rather sentimental, as this low-key romantic comedy manages to be at once endearing, funny, and, dare I say, even worthy of a few tears.

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

Oct 4, 2022

[A] mix of low-key warmth and droll humour.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Dec 18, 2020

A-

David Koepp's 1998 New York City romcom could improve your amorous relationship, even if it's a first date.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 4, 2026

Ghost Town = a *3.5* star movie...

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Jim S

@Sharkmiester Aug 6, 2026

Just a light-hearted little comedy that is good but nothing special. Ricky Gervais makes almost anything watchable.

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Vik D

@vikdamone Jul 17, 2026

Ghost Town is what happens when a grumpy dentist gets the world’s most annoying afterlife assignment. It’s funny, charming, and somehow makes a guy who hates people become the one person ghosts actually need. Ricky Gervais brings the perfect mix of sarcasm and awkward panic, while the story sneaks in a surprising amount of heart. A sweet little comedy about second chances, unfinished business, and why ignoring ghosts is apparently bad for your social life.

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Sabra P

@Sabra606 Jul 16, 2026

Ghost Town is undeniably cosier than The Office or Extras ... but Gervais's dry-as-a-bone delivery and brilliant comic timing prevent things getting too soppy.

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Tracy U

@Tracyule Jul 1, 2026

Kinnear plays smarmy well enough and the rest of the cast turn in serviceable performances, but it is Gervais and Leoni who take a patchwork quilt of a romance and make it a comedy worth seeing.

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Par H

@Parhwy Mar 14, 2026

Ghost Town (2008) is a 142-minute-long film I watched on YouTube Movies in March 2026. There is little to criticise about this film. I am averse to overly praise it either. This is not to say it is unworthy of praise, it’s me saying it’s a 6/10. A few scenes struck me as weak: when Frank convinces the ghosts to leave Dr Pincus alone; Gwen giving Dr Pincus two significant chances with insignificant cause; Dr Pincus helping ghosts move on is too short; Dr Pincus hit by the bus, specifically hit by the bus (the MTA driver should have seen him, unlike the bus which hit Frank, where there was no time) and that CPR cures severe crush/crash damage; and, Dr Pincus wants to cash-out and asks his co-worker for a script yet later says his dental gas can be fatal… Believe it or not, I enjoyed this film. I got shivers and teared up at one point. However, an emotional response is not a whole rating. Excuse the nitpicking, romcoms still need cohesion. Rewatch? Possibly. Recommend? Definitely.

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David Koepp

Director

Ricky Gervais

Bertram Pincus

Téa Leoni

Gwen

Greg Kinnear

Frank Herlihy

Billy Campbell

Richard

Kristen Wiig

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Synopsis

After a near-death experience during a routine colonoscopy, people-hating dentist Bertram Pincus is shocked to discover that he is suddenly able to talk to the dead. Constantly cornered by unhappy spirits who want him to help resolve their earthly problems, the misanthropic Pincus is driven to distraction. Eventually talked into helping the dearly departed Frank Herlihy, Pincus attempts to talk to Frank's widow, Gwen.

Director: David Koepp
Producer: Gavin Polone
Screenwriter: David Koepp, John Kamps
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks, Pariah Entertainment Group
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Humor|Drug References|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.2M
Runtime: 1h 43m

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