Ghost Town

Play trailer

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.

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

08/23/2018

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

02/20/2009

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)

02/13/2009

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

04/04/2024

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)

10/04/2022

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

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

12/18/2020

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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Par H

@Parhwy Mar 14

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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Grub K

@oPRY0R Jan 13

B+ A good low key comedy, with some laughs some tears. Good performance from Gervais, leaving a film thats aged nicely

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In Obsidian O

@TheTvMartian Nov 14

Not going to lie, thought the movie would suck. Was surprised it did not. In a time when stale is standard, even this movie with a far-fetched idea and dated moments holds up.

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Richard P

@RichardPicks Oct 31

If you are the type who actually enjoys watching (or rewatching, for the umpteenth time) old movies like A Christmas Carol and Topper, you will likely heartily enjoy David Koepp's mild-mannered retro comedy.

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Oggie B

@OGDawg Oct 29

Dozens of other movies have romped on the same grass. But Gervais spritzes everything in Ghost Town with a delightfully refreshing comic mist.

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Evan M

@Evangate Oct 20

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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David Koepp

Director

Ricky Gervais

Bertram Pincus

Téa Leoni

Gwen

Greg Kinnear

Frank Herlihy

Billy Campbell

Richard

Kristen Wiig

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Ghost Town: Trailer 1

2:25

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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