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{{Short description|2007 film by Oren Peli}}
{{About|the 2007 film|the film series|Paranormal Activity (film series)|the phenomena of paranormal activity|paranormal}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Paranormal Activity | name = Paranormal Activity
| image = Paranormal Activity poster.jpg | image = Paranormal Activity poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ]
| director = ]<ref name="Dreadcentral.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34065/exclusive-director-oren-peli-talks-paranormal-activity |title=Exclusive: Director Oren Peli Talks Paranormal Activity |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref>
| producer = {{Plainlist|
| producer = Steven Schneider<ref name="mtvblog">{{cite news|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/08/paranormal-activity-producers-hope-to-channel-hitchcock-for-the-jealous-one/|title='Paranormal Activity' Producers Hope To Channel Hitchcock For 'The Jealous One'|last=Rosenberg|first=Adam|date=2009-10-08|publisher=MTV Networks|accessdate=2009-10-29}}</ref>, Jason Blum<ref name="mtvblog"/>
* ]
* Oren Peli
* ]
}}
| writer = Oren Peli | writer = Oren Peli
| starring = ]<br />] | starring = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
}}
| cinematography = Oren Peli | cinematography = Oren Peli
| editing = Oren Peli | editing = Oren Peli
| studio = ]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/64972-PARANORMAL-ACTIVITY|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=December 25, 2024}}</ref>
| studio = Blumhouse Productions
| distributor = ]<br />] | distributor = {{Plainlist|
* ] (United States and Canada)<ref name=afi/>
| released = {{Film date|2007|10|14|Screamfest Film Festival|2009|9|25|limited|2009|10|16|wide}}
* ] (International)<ref name=img/><ref>{{cite web|title=Top buyers sign on for Oren Peli's Paranormal Activity|website=]|first=Jeremy|last=Kay|date=November 8, 2008|access-date=October 5, 2021|url=https://www.screendaily.com/top-buyers-sign-on-for-oren-pelis-paranormal-activity/4041885.article}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IM Global sells 'Paranormal Activity'|website=]|first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=October 5, 2021|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/asia/im-global-sells-paranormal-activity-1117995812/}}</ref>
| runtime = 86 minutes<br />{{small|(Theatrical release)}}<br />99 minutes<br />{{small|(])}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Paranormal+Activity+-+Widescreen+Collector's+Dubbed+-+DVD/18333457.p?id=2071253&skuId=18333457&st=paranormal%20activity&lp=3&cp=1 |title=Paranormal Activity - Widescreen Dubbed Subtitle AC3 - DVD |publisher=Bestbuy.com |date=2009-12-28 |accessdate=2010-02-24}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
}}
| country = {{Film US}}
| released = {{Film date|2007|10|14|]|2009|09|25|United States}}
| runtime = 86 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 85:43--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/paranormal-activity-2009-1 | title=''PARANORMAL ACTIVITY'' (15) | work=] | date=October 14, 2009 | access-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $15,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/paranormal-activity-film-review-1004015885.story|title= Paranormal Activity Production Budget|work=]|accessdate=2009-09-24}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> | budget = Production: $15,000<br />Post-production: $200,000<ref name="THRprofit">{{cite web|access-date=April 26, 2020 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/what-is-profitable-movie-ever-1269879 |title=What Is the Most Profitable Movie Ever?|website=]|date=January 18, 2020|author=Stephen Galloway}}</ref>
| gross = $194.2 million<ref name="thenumbers" />
| gross = $193,355,800<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paranormalactivity.htm|title= Paranormal Activity (2009) - Box Office Mojo|work=]|accessdate=2010-03-13}}</ref>
| followed by = '']''
}} }}


'''''Paranormal Activity''''' is a <!-- This is year the film was first shown at a festival in accordance with ] --> 2007 American ] written and directed by ].<ref name="Dreadcentral.com"/><ref name="mtvblog"/><ref>{{dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref> The film centers on a young couple, Katie and Micah, who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home. It is presented in the style of "]," from a camera set up by the couple in an attempt to photograph what is haunting them. '''''Paranormal Activity''''' is a 2007 American <!--DON'T ADD "found footage" here, "found footage" was the concept, not the actual content-->] produced, written, directed, photographed, and edited by ]. It centers on a young couple (] and ]) who are haunted by a supernatural presence inside their home. They then set up a camera to document what is haunting them. The film uses ] conventions that were mirrored in the later films of the series.


Originally developed as an ], the film was acquired by ]. It received a limited U.S. release on September 25, 2009 and nationwide release on October 16, 2009. The film earned nearly $108 million at the U.S. box office and $194 million worldwide.<ref name="thenumbers"></ref> Paramount/DreamWorks acquired the U.S. rights for $350,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312937,00.html|title=Meet the Stars of ''Paranormal Activity''|author=Missy Schwartz|publisher=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> It is one of the most profitable movies ever made, based on ],<ref>{{cite web|last=Frankel |first=Daniel |url=http://www.thewrap.com/article/paranormal-now-most-profitable-film-ever-9335?page=1 |title='Paranormal' Now the Most Profitable Film Ever |publisher=The Wrap |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2009/1030/how-paranormal-activity-became-the-most-profitable-movie-ever |title=How 'Paranormal Activity' becameks and agencies |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/nov/30/paranormal-activity-oren-peli |title=Paranormal Activity director's new film snapped up &#124; Film &#124; guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date= 2009-11-30|accessdate=2010-02-24 | location=London}}</ref> although such figures are difficult to verify independently<ref>{{cite news|author=Tom Shone |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/nov/25/paranormal-activity-box-office-profit |title=Paranormal Activity and the myth of the shoestring shocker &#124; Film |publisher=The Guardian |date= 2009-11-25|accessdate=2010-02-24 | location=London}}</ref> as this is likely to exclude marketing costs.<ref>{{cite web|author=Friday |url=http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-the-most-profitable-movie-ever.html |title='Paranormal Activity' The Most Profitable Movie Ever |publisher=Get The Big Picture |date=2009-10-30 |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> Originally developed as an ] and given film festival screenings in 2007, the film was shot for $15,000. It was then acquired by ] and modified, particularly with a new ending that cost an additional $200,000. It was given a limited U.S. release on September 25, 2009, and then a nationwide release on October 16, 2009. The film earned nearly $108 million at the U.S. box office and a further $85 million internationally for a worldwide total of $194 million.<ref name="thenumbers" /> Paramount/DreamWorks acquired the U.S. rights for $350,000. It is often cited as the most profitable film ever made, based on proportionate ], although such figures are difficult to verify independently<ref>{{cite news|author=Tom Shone |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/nov/25/paranormal-activity-box-office-profit |title=Paranormal Activity and the myth of the shoestring shocker &#124; Film |work=The Guardian |date= November 25, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> as this is likely to exclude marketing costs.<ref>{{cite web |author=|url=http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-the-most-profitable-movie-ever.html |title='Paranormal Activity' The Most Profitable Movie Ever |work=Get The Big Picture |date=October 30, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224235733/http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-the-most-profitable-movie-ever.html |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


A sequel, '']'', was released on October 22, 2010, and was followed by a prequel titled '']'' on October 21, 2011. The film is the first entry in the ]. A parallel sequel, '']'', was released in 2010.


==Plot== ==Plot==
<!-- Please, only add to this synopsis if you spot a mistake or grammatical error. WP:FILMPLOT has a word limit of 400-700 for plot sections of film articles. -->
<!-- This plot summary adheres closely to the policiells for synopsis per WP:PLOT, WP:FILMPLOT, and WP:PLOTSUM. A longer, more detailed version has been rejected in the past several times. This section has also been a high traffic area for vandalism. Please, only add to this synopsis if you spot a mistake or grammatical error. -->
In 2006, Katie (played by ]) and her boyfriend, Micah (Micah Sloat), are a young couple who recently moved into a two-story ] in suburban ]. Katie claims that a ghostly presence has haunted her since childhood and believes that it has followed her to their new home. Each night, Micah mounts a video camera on a tripod in their bedroom to record any paranormal activity that might occur while they sleep, in the hopes of solving the problem himself. The first night, the only thing they catch are footstep noises. Katie hires a psychic, Dr. Fredrichs (Mark Fredrichs), who assesses that she is being haunted not by a ghost, but by a demon. He says the demon feeds off negative energy, and its intent is to haunt and torment Katie no matter where she goes. He advises them not to taunt or communicate with the demon, and to contact ] Dr. Johann Averies for help. Though Katie seems interested and engaged in the situation, Micah does not take it seriously. Katie drives up to Micah's house in ], as she is moving in. Katie claims an evil presence has been haunting her since she was a child, so Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom to record any paranormal activity that occurs while they sleep. ] Dr. Fredrichs visits the couple and suggests Katie is being haunted by a ] that feeds off of negative energy and is intent on tormenting her. He advises not to communicate with the demon without a ], but Micah continues to film and seek it out.


The camera captures many strange occurrences during the night: they start off as minor noises, flickering lights, and bedroom door movements, but over time escalate into loud thuds, violent door slamming, and demonic grunts and screeches. One night, Katie appears to be in a trance; she gets up, stands beside the bed staring at Micah for two hours, and goes outside, none of which she recalls the next day.
The camera captures several ] phenomena which remain minor at first, such as the bedroom door moving by itself during night 3. During night 5 however, Katie wakes up from a nightmare and it is revealed that something was whispering to her in her sleep. Micah begins to taunt the demon and the phenomena worsens; during night 13, they are awoken by an otherworldly screech and a loud thud. They go downstairs to investigate and find the chandelier moving by itself. On night 15, Katie awakens and spends several hours standing by the bed staring at Micah while he sleeps, before going outside to sit on the backyard swing. Micah awakens and tries to convince her to come inside but she refuses, her voice dreamlike and detached. When Micah goes inside to get her a blanket, he finds the TV turned on in the bedroom, and is then startled by Katie, who followed him inside but says that he woke her up. Katie remembers nothing the next day.


Micah brings home a ]. When the couple leaves the house, the camera records an unseen force moving the board's pointer on its surface, which then spontaneously catches fire. Katie is increasingly aggravated by Micah's flippant behavior and pleads to contact the demonologist, but he refuses. The couple finds non-human footsteps on ] Micah sprinkled in the hallway; its path leads to a burnt photograph of a young Katie in the attic, thought to have been destroyed in a house fire. Outside intervention is unavailable, as the demonologist is out of the country and Dr. Fredrichs is afraid of making the demon angrier. The next night (20), Katie is pulled out of the bedroom by an unseen force. Micah discovers a bite mark on Katie's back the morning after, motivating him to get out of the house, but Katie abruptly insists on staying.
Katie, already irritated by Micah's flippant response to the situation, becomes irate when Micah brings home a ] despite Dr. Fredrichs' warnings. The two go out of the house that evening, leaving the Ouija board in the living room. The curtains and plants start to blow around and the Ouija board's ] moves on its own. A small fire erupts on the board, but it extinguishes itself before they get home. It seems that the board has left them an unrecognizable and unreadable message. On night 17, Micah sprinkles ] in the hallway and when the couple is awoken by noises, they find non-human footprints leading to the bedroom from the attic. In the attic, Micah finds a burnt photograph of a young Katie, which was previously thought to have been destroyed in an unexplained house fire.


The next night, a light turns on and off and the bedroom door slams shut. Loud banging is heard, as something is apparently trying to get in. They discover that the glass over a photo of them has been smashed, with Micah's image scratched. Dr. Averies is abroad when Micah finally agrees to invite him, so Dr. Fredrichs comes instead. Upon his arrival, Dr. Fredrichs immediately has a sense of dread. He apologetically leaves despite their pleas for his help, stating that his presence is only making the demon angry. On night 19, a shadow moves across the bedroom door. The paranormal activity starts to become physical; Katie is pulled out of the bedroom by an invisible force during night 20. Stressed and exhausted, the couple decide to go to a hotel. Micah finds Katie gripping a ] so tightly that it bloodies her palm. Micah, angry at a situation he cannot control, burns the cross and the picture found in the attic. Just as he is set to leave, a suddenly apathetic, languid Katie insists that they will be okay now, her voice flat. On the final night, Katie comes out of bed and stands beside it, staring at Micah for approximately two hours, before walking downstairs. After a moment of silence, Katie screams Micah's name, waking Micah who rushes to her. The camera records Katie screaming incessantly, while Micah tries to talk to her when he suddenly lets out a cry of pain. Katie's screaming stops and a brief silence is followed by the sound of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. After another brief silence, Micah's body is violently hurled at the camera, knocking it over sideways and revealing Katie standing in the doorway. She then slowly walks into the room, her clothing soaked with blood. Crouching over his body, she sniffs Micah (who has evidently been murdered) and then slowly looks up at the camera with a sly smile. As she lunges toward the camera, her face takes on a demonic appearance just as the scene cuts to black. An epilogue text states that Micah's body was discovered by the police on October 11, 2006, and that Katie's whereabouts are unknown. On night twenty-one, Katie gets out of bed again and stares at Micah for two hours before going downstairs. Katie screams profusely for Micah and he quickly rushes to help her. Afterward, Micah screams in pain with loud thuds. After a moment of silence, Micah's body is violently hurled at the camera which is knocked off the tripod, revealing Katie standing in the doorway with blood on her shirt. She crawls to Micah's body, then looks up at the camera with a grin. As she lunges toward the camera, her face takes on a demonic snarl, and the scene cuts to black. The epilogue text states Micah's body is discovered by the police, and Katie is missing.


==Alternate endings== ===Alternate endings===
Once Paramount acquired the film, the original ending was shown at only one public viewing before being scrapped; two new endings were developed, one theatrically released above and the other available as an alternate ending on home releases.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/10/11/so-what-was-paranormal-activitys-original-ending/|title=So What Was 'Paranormal Activity's Original Ending?|last=Goss|first=William|website=Horror Squad|date=January 31, 2010|access-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015123528/http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/10/11/so-what-was-paranormal-activitys-original-ending/|archive-date=October 15, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Peter |date=October 9, 2009 |title=Interview: Oren Peli, Writer-Director of 'Paranormal Activity' |url=http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/09/oren-peli-paranormal-activity-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104000704/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/09/oren-peli-paranormal-activity-interview/ |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2009 |work=Cinematical}}</ref>
Once Paramount acquired the film, 2 alternate endings were developed for it, with one of them eventually being used in the theatrical version. The original ending for the film was available for a time for viewing on the Internet before Paramount exerted a claim of copyright on the material.<ref name="originalending"/>


====Original ending====
The first alternate ending was shown at only one public viewing and was later offered as an alternate ending on the DVD and Blu-ray releases of the film.<ref name="originalending">{{cite news|url=http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/10/11/so-what-was-paranormal-activitys-original-ending/|title=So What Was 'Paranormal Activity's Original Ending?|last=Goss|first=William |date=10/11/09|publisher=Horror Squad|accessdate=31 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="oreninterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/09/oren-peli-paranormal-activity-interview/|title=Interview: Oren Peli, Writer-Director of 'Paranormal Activity'|last=Hall|first=Peter|date=2009-10-09|publisher=Cinematical|accessdate=2009-10-23}}</ref> In this ending, Katie gets out of bed and stands staring at Micah, as she did in the original ending, except she does not move to Micah's side of the bed. About three hours pass, then she finally goes downstairs. She lets out a blood-curdling scream, which wakes Micah up and he runs downstairs. The screaming continues, and the sounds of a struggle are heard before the noises abruptly stop. There is silence for a short while before loud footsteps are heard on the stairs. Katie then walks into the bedroom, blood covering her shirt, with a bloody knife in her hand. She closes and locks the bedroom door, then walks up to the camera, standing idle briefly. She then takes the knife and slits her own throat, then falls to the floor.
Katie returns to the bedroom alone, covered in blood and holding a large kitchen knife. She sits on the floor against the bed and rocks back and forth. The next day, Katie's friend Amber leaves a concerned message at 2&nbsp;pm, visits the house at 9&nbsp;pm, discovers Micah's body downstairs, and runs away in panic. Thirty minutes later, two policemen enter the house and reach the bedroom where they find the possessed Katie with the knife. Seeing them, Katie suddenly returns to her normal state and asks about Micah. After the attic door slams by itself, one of the officers panics and shoots and kills her. The camera fades to black as the police officers continue searching the house for the source of the sound. An epilogue text appears dedicating the film to the memory of Micah and Katie.


This ending was only shown publicly at the 2007 ] and was never released officially by Paramount or Blumhouse since its acquisition. The original version of the film (dubbed the "Festival Cut") was later leaked on various forums, which included this ending.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=October 12, 2022 |title=How 'Paranormal Activity' became the scariest, most successful DIY horror movie ever |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/paranormal-activity-oren-peli-203800125.html |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=]}}</ref>
The second alternate ending is only available online This ending happens much like the other alternate ending, except that instead of cutting her throat Katie sits by the side of the bed and rocks herself with the knife that she used to kill Micah in her hand. Later in the afternoon of the next day, Amber calls the house leaving a voice mail saying she's worried and to call her back. She later visits at night and enter the house calling out Katie and Micah, then she find Micah's body, screams then runs out of the house. 30 minutes later the police arrives at the house, while searching the house the demon leaves Katie and heads to a room in the background. The police find Katie by the side of the bed, she is panicked asking for Micah. The police see the knife in her hand and tell her to drop it and not to move, but she gets too close and they shoot her down. The movie ends with police searching the house.

====New alternate ending====
After killing Micah off-screen, Katie comes back upstairs alone like in the original ending. She closes and locks the bedroom door, approaches the camera and promptly slits her own throat, before collapsing dead. The scene then fades to black.


==Cast== ==Cast==
* ] as Katie * ] as Katie
* ] as Micah * ] as Micah
* Mark Fredrichs as Dr. Fredrichs (Psychic) * Mark Fredrichs as Dr. Fredrichs
* Amber Armstrong as Amber * Amber Armstrong as Amber
* ] as Diane


==Production== ==Production==
Attempting to focus on believability rather than action and gore, Peli chose to shoot the picture with a home video camera. In deciding on a more raw and stationary format (the camera was almost always sitting on a tripod or something else) and eliminating the need for a camera crew, a "higher degree of plausibility" was created for the audience as they were "more invested in the story and the characters".<ref name="interview">{{cite web | url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/slamdancenews.php?id=5123 | title=Exclusive Interview: Oren Peli| first=Ryan |last=Turek | date=March 9, 2008 | access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> Peli says that the dialogue was "natural" because there was no real script. Instead, the actors were given outlines of the story and situations to improvise, a technique known as "]" also used in the making of '']''.<ref name="interview" /> In casting the movie, Peli auditioned "a few hundred people" before finally meeting Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. He originally auditioned them individually and later called them back to audition together. Peli was impressed with the chemistry between the actors, saying, "If you saw the footage, you would've thought they had known each other for years."<ref name="interview" /> During a guest appearance on '']'' on November 3, 2009, Sloat and Featherston explained they each saw the casting call on LACasting. Featherston noted they were originally paid $500 for their work.
First-time director ] had been afraid of ghosts his entire life, even fearing the comedy film ''],'' but intended to channel that fear into something positive and productive.<ref name="latimes">{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-paranormal20-2009sep20,0,843011,full.story | title="The haunted history of 'Paranormal Activity'" - L.A. Times | author=John Horn | accessdate=2009-09-20 | work=Los Angeles Times | date=2009-09-20}}</ref> Peli took a year to prepare his own house for shooting, going so far as to repaint the walls, add furniture, put in a carpet, and build a stairwell.<ref name="Making of Paranormal">{{cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09292/1006571-60.stm| title="The making of Paranormal Activity" - Post Gazette | author=Barbara Vancheri, | accessdate=2009-10-19 | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=2009-10-19}}</ref> In this time, he also did extensive research into paranormal phenomena and demonology, stating, "We wanted to be as truthful as we could be." The reason for making the supernatural entity in the story a demon was a result of the research pointing to the most malevolent and violent entities being "demons".<ref name="interview" /> The phenomena in the film take place largely at night—the vulnerability of being asleep, Peli reasoned, taps into a human being's most primal fear, stating, "If something is lurking in your home there's not much you can do about it."<ref name="interview">{{cite web | url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/slamdancenews.php?id=5123 | title="Exclusive Interview: Oren Peli" - ShockTilYouDrop.com | author=Ryan Rotten | accessdate=2008-03-10}}</ref>


The film was shot out of sequence due to Peli's self-imposed seven-day shooting schedule,<ref name="latimes">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-paranormal20-2009sep20,0,843011,full.story | title=The haunted history of 'Paranormal Activity' | first=John | last=Horn | access-date=September 20, 2009 | work=] | date=September 20, 2009 | archive-date=September 25, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925031255/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-paranormal20-2009sep20,0,843011,full.story | url-status=dead }}</ref> though he would have preferred the story to have unfolded for the actors as he had envisioned it. Sloat, who controlled the camera for a good deal of the film, was a former cameraman at his university's TV station. "It was a very intense week", Peli said, stating that the film would be shot day and night, edited at the same time, and would have the visual effects applied to it as the acting footage was being finalized.<ref name="interview" /> Multiple endings were conceived, but not all of them were shot.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-three-super-scary-alternate-endings-spoiler-alert/|title='Paranormal Activity': Three super-scary alternate endings (SPOILER ALERT!)|last=Schwartz|first=Missy|magazine=]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref>
Attempting to focus on believability rather than action and gore, Peli chose to shoot the picture with a home video camera. In deciding on a more raw and stationary format (the camera was almost always sitting on a tripod or something else) and eliminating the need for a camera crew, a "higher degree of plausibility" was created for the audience as they were "more invested in the story and the characters".<ref name="interview" /> Peli says that the dialogue was "natural" because there was no real script. Instead, the actors were given outlines of the story and situations to improvise, a technique known as "]" used in the making of '']''.<ref name="interview" /> In casting the movie, Peli auditioned "a few hundred people" before finally meeting Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. He originally auditioned them individually and later called them back to audition together. Peli was impressed with the chemistry between the actors, saying, "If you saw the footage, you would've thought they had known each other for years."<ref name="interview" />
During a guest appearance on '']'' on November 3, 2009, Sloat and Featherston explained they each saw the casting call on ]. Featherston noted they were originally paid $500 for their work.


The film was screened at 2007's ], where it impressed an assistant at the ], Kirill Baru, so much that CAA signed on to represent Peli. Attempting to find a distributor for the film and/or directing work for Peli, the agency sent out DVDs of the movie to as many people in the industry as they could, and it was eventually seen by ] Senior Executive ], who thought it had potential. He worked with Peli to re-edit the film and submitted it to the ], but it was rejected. The DVD also impressed ] executives Adam Goodman, Stacey Snider, and finally ], who cut a deal with Blum and Peli.<ref name="latimes" />
The film was shot out of sequence due to Peli's self-imposed seven day shooting schedule,<ref name="latimes" /> though Peli would have preferred the story unfold for the actors as he had envisioned it. Sloat, who controlled the camera for a good deal of the film, was a former cameraman at his university's TV station. "It was a very intense week", Peli recalled, stating that the film would be shot day and night, edited at the same time, and would have the visual effects applied to it as the acting footage was being finalized.<ref name="interview" />


DreamWorks' plan was to remake the film with a bigger budget and with Peli directing, and only to include the original version as an extra when the DVD was eventually released. "They didn't know what to do with ", said Blum; they just wanted to be "in business" with Peli.<ref name="latimes" /> Blum and Peli agreed, but stipulated a test screening of the original film before going ahead with the remake, believing it would be well received by a theatrical audience.<ref name="latimes" />
The film was screened at 2007's ], where it impressed an assistant at the ], ], so much that CAA signed on to represent Peli. Attempting to find a distributor for the film and/or directing work for Peli, the agency sent out DVDs of the movie to as many people in the industry as they could, and it was eventually seen by ] Senior Executive Jason Blum, who thought it had potential. He worked with Peli to re-edit the film and submitted it to the ], but it was rejected. The DVD also impressed ] executives Adam Goodman, Stacey Snider, and finally ], who cut a deal with Blum and Peli.<ref name="latimes" />


During the screening, people began walking out; Goodman thought the film was ], until he learned that the viewers were actually leaving because they were so frightened. He then realized a remake was unwise.<ref name="latimes" /> ], which acquired DreamWorks in 2005, bought the domestic rights to the film, and worldwide rights to any sequels, for {{US$|350,000}}.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/10/16/meet-stars-paranormal-activity/|title=Meet the Stars of ''Paranormal Activity''|first=Missy|last=Schwartz|magazine=]|date=October 16, 2009|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524080810/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312937,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/10/paramount-paranormal-activity-sequel.html | title=Paramount may produce 'Paranormal Activity' sequel | work=] | author=Ben Fritz | date=October 25, 2009 | access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref> When the film was taken in by Paramount, several changes were made. Some scenes were cut, others added, and the original ending was scrapped, with two new endings being shot.<ref name="recut">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/paranormal-activity-recut-scenes-alternate-endings-kofi-31497/2/|title=Paranormal Activity: Alternate Endings & Recut Scenes|last=Outlaw|first=Kofi|date=October 21, 2009|work=Screen Rant|access-date=October 23, 2009}}</ref> The ending shown in theaters during the film's worldwide release is the only one of the three to feature ], and it differs from the endings previously seen at the Screamfest and Burbank screenings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=October 12, 2009 |title='Paranomal' has 'magical elixir' for horror: Realism, subtlety but not gore |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-12-paranormal-activity-side_N.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811035209/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-12-paranormal-activity-side_N.htm |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=]}}</ref> The theatrical release was delayed indefinitely because Paramount had put all DreamWorks productions on hold. Meanwhile, a screening for international buyers resulted in the sale of international rights in 52 countries.<ref name="latimes" /> Only after Goodman became production chief at Paramount in June 2009 did the film finally get slated for a fall release.<ref name="latimes" />
DreamWorks' plan was to remake the film with a bigger budget and with Peli directing, and only to include the original version as an extra when the DVD was eventually released. "They didn't know what to do with ", said Blum; they just wanted to be "in business" with Peli.<ref name="latimes" /> Blum and Peli agreed, but stipulated a test screening of the original film before going ahead with the remake, believing it would be well-received by a theatrical audience.<ref name="latimes" />

During the screening, people began walking out; Goodman thought the film was ], until he learned that the viewers were actually leaving because they were so frightened. He then realized a remake was unwise.<ref name="latimes" /> ], which acquired DreamWorks in 2005, bought the domestic rights to the film, and international rights to any sequels, for $350,000 ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/10/paramount-paranormal-activity-sequel.html | title=Paramount may produce 'Paranormal Activity' sequel | publisher=Los Angeles Times | author=Ben Fritz | date=2009-10-25 | accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref> When the film was taken in by ], several changes were made. Some scenes were cut, others added, and the original ending was scrapped, with two new endings being shot.<ref name="screen">{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/paranormal-activity-recut-scenes-alternate-endings-kofi-31497/2/|title=Paranormal Activity: Alternate Endings & Recut Scenes|last=Outlaw|first=Kofi|date=2009-10-21|publisher=Screen Rant|accessdate=2009-10-23}}</ref> The ending shown in theaters during the film's worldwide release is the only one of the three to feature ], and it differs from the endings previously seen at the Screamfest and Burbank screenings.<ref>{{cite web|title='Paranomal' has 'magical elixir' for horror: Realism, subtlety but not gore|publisher=USA Today|author=Anthony Breznican|accessdate=2009-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://horroreffect.blogspot.com/2009/10/paramount-cut-of-paranormal-activity.html|title=The Paramount Cut of Paranormal Activity: What's Different?|publisher=The Horror Effect|accessdate=2009-10-24}}</ref> The theatrical release was delayed indefinitely because Paramount had put all DreamWorks productions on hold. Meanwhile, a screening for international buyers resulted in the sale of international rights in 52 countries.<ref name="latimes" /> Only after Goodman became production chief at Paramount in June 2009 did the film finally get slated for a fall release.<ref name="latimes" />


==Release== ==Release==
''Paranormal Activity'' premiered at ] in North America on October 14, 2007, was shown at the ] on January 18, 2008, and screened at the 36th Annual ] on September 6, 2009.<ref></ref> ''Paranormal Activity'' ]d at ] in North America on October 14, 2007, was shown at the ] on January 18, 2008, and screened at the 36th Annual ] on September 6, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telluridefilmfestival.org/news/2009-09 |title=The 36th Telluride Film Festival Draws to a Close |access-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128161407/http://telluridefilmfestival.org/news/2009-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On September 25, 2009, the movie opened in 13 ] across the United States. On his website, director Oren Peli invited internet users to "demand" where the film went next by voting on ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/business/media/21paranormal.html?_r=3 |title="Thriller on Tour Lets Fans Decide on the Next Stop" - New York Times |author=Michael Cieply |accessdate=2009-09-20 | work=The New York Times | date=2009-09-21}}</ref> This was the first time a major motion picture studio used the service to ] a film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eventful.com/demand/categories/film?sort_direction=asc&sort_order=performer&page_number=1 |title=Demand Search for Film | accessdate=2009-10-10}}</ref> Twelve of the 13 venues sold out.<ref name="latimes2">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/paranormal-activity-expanding-after-selling-out-nearly-all-midnight-shows.html |title="'Paranormal Activity' expanding after selling out nearly all midnight shows" - L.A. Times | author=Ben Fritz |accessdate=2009-09-27 | work=Los Angeles Times | date=2009-09-27}}</ref> On September 28, Paramount issued a press release on Peli's website, announcing openings in 20 other markets on Friday, October 2, including large-market cities such as New York and Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/press27.html |title="More than 230,000 fans "demand" 'Paranormal Activity'; fans spur the film's opening in twenty additional cities across the country" |accessdate=2009-09-28}}</ref> The version with the new ending made after Paramount acquired the film was screened on September 25, 2009, in twelve ]s across the United States; the venues included ]; ]; ]; and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3360051 |title='Paranormal Activity' Franchise to Conclude Where it All Began… At Screamfest!|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=] |access-date=December 23, 2015 | date=September 3, 2015}}</ref> Eleven of the twelve venues sold out with ], being the only exception due to a Penn State football game that was held the same night.<ref name="latimes2">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/paranormal-activity-expanding-after-selling-out-nearly-all-midnight-shows.html |title='Paranormal Activity' expanding after selling out nearly all midnight shows| first=Ben|last=Fritz |access-date=September 27, 2009 | work=] | date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> On his website, director Oren Peli invited internet users to "demand" where the film went next by voting on ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/business/media/21paranormal.html?_r=3 |title=Thriller on Tour Lets Fans Decide on the Next Stop|first=Michael|last=Cieply|access-date=September 20, 2009 | work=] | date=September 21, 2009}}</ref> This was the first time a major motion picture studio used the service to ] a film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eventful.com/demand/categories/film?sort_direction=asc&sort_order=performer&page_number=1 |title=Demand Search for Film | access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> On September 28, Paramount issued a press release on Peli's website, announcing openings in 20 other markets on October 2, including larger market cities such as New York and Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/press27.html |title=More than 230,000 fans "demand" 'Paranormal Activity'; fans spur the film's opening in twenty additional cities across the country |work=ParanormalActivity-Movie.com |access-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-date=October 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005013445/http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/press27.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On October 3, it was reported that a total of 33 screenings in all 20 markets sold out and that the movie had made $500,000 domestically. A day later, Paramount announced that the film would have a full ] in 40 markets, playing at all hours (including after-midnight showings). On October 6, Paramount announced that the movie would be released nationwide if the film got 1,000,000 "demands" on eventful.com. The full limited release of the film started on Friday, October 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33840/fans-reward-paranormal-activity-with-sold-out-shows-and-500k |title="Fans Reward Paranormal Activity with Sold-Out Shows and $500K" - DreadCentral.com |author=Uncle Creepy |accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/freakishly-good-gross-for-paranormal-activity/ |title="'Paranormal Activity' Gets Freakishly Good Gross Playing Only After Midnight" - Deadline: Hollywood |author=Nikki Finke |accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17584 |title=Full Limited Release for 'Paranormal Activity' on October 9th - BloodyDisgusting.com | author=Mr. Disgusting |accessdate=2009-10-04}}</ref> On October 10 the Eventful.com counter hit over 1,000,000 requests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/06/paranormal-activity-to-open-nationwide-after-1000000-demands-are-received/ |title='Paranormal Activity' To Open Nationwide After 1,000,000 Demands Are Received - MTV.com |author=Adam Rosenberg |accessdate=2009-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17654 |title=Horror Victory! 'Paranormal Activity' Hits One Million Demands, Opens Wide! |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> Paramount announced soon after that the film would get a ] on Friday, October 16 and then expand to more theaters on the 23rd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coronacomingattractions.com/scoops/october-10-2009-paranormal-activity-film-now-expands-nationwide |title="Film Now Expands Nationwide" - Corona Coming Attractions |author=Patrick Sauriol |accessdate=2009-10-10}}</ref> By November, it was showing in locales worldwide. On October 3, it was reported that a total of 33 screenings in all 20 markets had sold out and that the film had earned $500,000 domestically. A day later, Paramount announced that the film would have a full ] in 40 markets, playing at all hours (including after-midnight showings). On October 6, Paramount announced that the movie would be released nationwide if the film received one million "demands" on Eventful. The full limited release of the film started on October 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33840/fans-reward-paranormal-activity-with-sold-out-shows-and-500k |title=Fans Reward Paranormal Activity with Sold-Out Shows and $500K|last=Barton|first=Steve |work=] |access-date=October 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2009/10/freakishly-good-gross-for-paranormal-activity-16867/ |title=UPDATE: 'Paranormal Activity' Set For Oct. 9 Normal Release After It Gets Freakishly Good Gross Playing Only After Midnight|first=Nikki|last=Finke |date=October 4, 2009|website=]|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17584 |title=Full Limited Release for 'Paranormal Activity' on October 9th|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=] |access-date=October 4, 2009}}</ref> On October 10, the Eventful.com counter hit over one million requests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/06/paranormal-activity-to-open-nationwide-after-1000000-demands-are-received/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008211418/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/06/paranormal-activity-to-open-nationwide-after-1000000-demands-are-received |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |title='Paranormal Activity' To Open Nationwide After 1,000,000 Demands Are Received|first=Adam|last=Rosenberg| work=] |access-date=October 6, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17654 |title=Horror Victory! 'Paranormal Activity' Hits One Million Demands, Opens Wide!|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=] |date=October 10, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> Paramount announced soon after that the film would get a ] on October 16 and expand to more theaters on October 23.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coronacomingattractions.com/scoops/october-10-2009-paranormal-activity-film-now-expands-nationwide |title=Film Now Expands Nationwide|first=Patrick|last=Sauriol|date=October 10, 2009|access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> By November, it was showing in theaters worldwide.


===Home release=== ===Home media===
''Paranormal Activity'' was released on ] and ] on December 29, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34660/official-word-and-details-paranormal-activity-dvd-and-blu-ray |title=Official Word and Details: Paranormal Activity on DVD and Blu-ray &#124; Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=2009-11-24 |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> The home release media includes an alternate ending to the theatrical version, in which Katie slits her own throat in front of the camera, then collapses to the floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VKE0XA |title=Paranormal Activity (2-Disc Digital Copy Edition) [Blu-ray&#93;: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Michael Bayouth, Mark Fredrichs, Amber Armstrong, Ashley Palmer, Crystal Cartwright, Randy McDowell, James Piper, Oren Peli, Amir Zbeda, Jason Blum, Jeanette Brill, Rick Osako, Steven Schneider, Toni Taylor: Movies & TV|publisher=Amazon.com|date=|accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> It was released in the UK on March 22, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray with some specials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36035/paranormal-activity-haunt-uk-homes-march-with-some-exclusives |title=Paranormal Activity to Haunt UK Homes This March with Some Exclusives |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=2010-02-20 |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> ''Paranormal Activity'' was not released on ] or ] until December 29, 2009, more than two years after the film was made. The home release includes one alternate ending to the theatrical version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/14522/official-word-and-details-paranormal-activity-on-dvd-and-blu-ray |title=Official Word and Details: Paranormal Activity on DVD and Blu-ray |last=Barton |first=Steve |work=] |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> It was released in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2010, on DVD and Blu-ray with some specials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36035/paranormal-activity-haunt-uk-homes-march-with-some-exclusives |title=Paranormal Activity to Haunt UK Homes This March with Some Exclusives|last=Jones|first=Gareth |work=] |date=February 20, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> In the ] the movie received a release on ] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paranormalactivity.nl/nieuws.php |title=Videoband maakt comeback |work=ParanormalActivity.nl |year=2010 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092838/http://www.paranormalactivity.nl/nieuws.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film grossed $22.1 million in home sales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paranormal Activity (2009) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Paranormal-Activity |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>


Additionally, at the end of the film, 15 minutes worth of names were added to the DVD release, as part of a special promotion. The message that popped up before this said: "The fans who "demanded" the film were asked by email if they wanted to have their name appear as a thank you for the film's success."
The DVD and Blu-ray was released in Australia on April 2, 2010. In March 2010, a limited ] edition was released in the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wewantvhs.com/ |title=We Want VHS |publisher=Wewantvhs.com |date=2010-05-14 |accessdate=2010-05-14}}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paranormalactivity.nl/nieuws.php |title=Videoband maakt comeback |publisher=Paranormalactivity.nl |date=2010-05-14 |accessdate=2010-05-14}}</ref> This was accomplished after a petition on the website, WeWantVHS.com.

Additionally, at the end of the credits, 15 minutes worth of names were added to the DVD release as part of a special promo where the fans who "demanded" the movie were asked by email if they wanted to have their name appear as a thank you for the movie's success.


==Reception== ==Reception==
===Reviews===
The film received positive critical reception upon release. Based on 184 reviews collected by ], the film has an overall approval 'certified fresh' rating from critics of 82%.<ref>{{rotten-tomatoes|paranormal_activity|Paranormal Activity}}</ref> Movie critics ] and ] each awarded it 3.5 stars out of a maximum of 4 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1822 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews |publisher=Reelviews.net |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091007/REVIEWS/910089996 |title=Paranormal Activity :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews |publisher=Rogerebert.suntimes.com |first=Roger|last=Ebert|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|date=2009-10-07 |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> ] stated in his review: "It illustrates one of my favorite points, that silence and waiting can be more entertaining than frantic fast-cutting and berserk f/x. For extended periods here, nothing at all is happening, and believe me, you won't be bored."<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paranormal_activity/</ref> '']'' critic ] gave ''Paranormal Activity'' an A- rating and called it "frightening...freaky and terrifying" and noted that "''Paranormal Activity'' scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés."<ref>{{cite web|author=Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20309083,00.html |title=Paranormal Activity &#124; Movies |publisher=EW.com |date=2009-10-23 |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> ] ranked the film 16th in their list of the "Top 20 Horror Films of the Decade", with the article saying, "Peli deserves props for milking the maximum amount of tension out of the spare, modern setting – an ordinary, cookie-cutter tract home in San Diego. It doesn’t sound very scary, but Peli manages to make it terrifying. If you aren’t white-knuckling your armrest at least once or twice while watching it, you probably don’t have a pulse.."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18415|title=00's Retrospect: Bloody Disgusting's Top 20 Films of the Decade...Part 2|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-01-03}}</ref> However, ] of the Australian version of ] remarked that "it was extremely unthrilling, very obvious, very cliched. We've seen it all before."<ref>. Retrieved 2010-02-16.</ref>

===Box office=== ===Box office===
The film opened on September 25, 2009, to 12 theaters taking $36,146 on its opening day and $77,873 on its first weekend for an average of $6,489 per venue. It took more success when it opened to 33 theaters on October 1, 2009, doubling the box office reception, grossing $532,242 for an average of $16,129 per venue, bringing the 10-day total to $776,763.<ref name="Movie Paranormal Activity Box Office Data ">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2009/PNACT.php|title= Movie Paranormal Activity Box Office Data|work=The Numbers Box Office Data|accessdate=2009-11-14}}</ref> The film opened on September 25, 2009, to twelve theaters and took $36,146 on its opening day and $77,873 on its first weekend for an average of $6,489 per venue. It had more success when it opened to 33 theaters on October 1, 2009, doubling the box-office reception, grossing $532,242 for an average of $16,129 per venue, bringing the 10-day total to $776,763.<ref name="thenumbers">{{cite web |title=Paranormal Activity Box Office Data |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2009/PNACT.php |access-date=May 29, 2023 |work=]}}</ref>


As it expanded to 160 theaters on the October 9–11 weekend, the film grossed $2,659,296 on that Friday having a per-theater average of $16,621. It went on to gross $7,900,695, which was $800,000 more than originally estimated. Over the weekend, the film reached the week's highest per-theater average of $49,379, coming in at #4 for the weekend, behind '']'', '']'', and '']''. Over the weekend of October 16, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' expanded to 600 more theaters, grossing $19,617,650 with $25,813 per theater average gross, and bringing the total gross to $33,171,743. On the weekend of October 23, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' rose to #1, beating out the expected number one box office victor '']'', earning $21,104,070, expanding to 1,945 theaters for an average of $10,850 per theater, compared with the $14,118,444 gross from 3,036 theaters, and $4,650 average for ''Saw VI''. The film has grossed $107,918,810 domestically and $85,436,990 in foreign markets, with a total gross of $193,355,800.<ref name="Movie Paranormal Activity Box Office Data "/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2009&wknd=48&p=.htm|title=Box Office Mojo: Weekend Box Office - November 27-November 29, 2009|date=2009-11-30|accessdate=2009-11-30}}</ref> As it expanded to 160 theaters on the October 9–11 weekend, the film grossed $2.7 million on that Friday, having a per-theater average of $16,621. It went on to gross $7.9 million. Over the weekend, the film reached the week's highest per-theater average of $49,379, coming in at fourth for the weekend, behind '']'', '']'', and '']''. Over the weekend of October 16, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' expanded to 600 more theaters, grossing $19.6 million with $25,813 per theater average gross, and bringing the total gross to $33.2 million. On the weekend of October 23, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' rose to first, beating out '']'', earning $21,104,070, expanding to 1,945 theaters for an average of $10,850 per theater, compared with the $14.1 million gross from 3,036 theaters, and $4,650 average for ''Saw VI''. The film has grossed $107.9 million domestically and $85.4 million in foreign markets, with a total gross of $194.2 million.<ref name="thenumbers" /><ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paranormalactivity.htm|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> '']'' estimated the film made a net profit of $78 million.<ref name="THRprofit"/>


===Critical response===
Using unique for both the first and subsequent films, Paranormal Activity was one of the first film franchises of its kind to use social media to make the connection with filmgoers.
On ] ], the film has an overall approval rating of 83% based on 211 reviews, with an ] of 7.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Using its low-budget effects and ] method to great result, ''Paranormal Activity'' turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paranormal_activity|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=May 19, 2021}}</ref> On ], the film has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/paranormal-activity|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=June 18, 2014}}</ref>


Film critics ] and ] each awarded it 3.5 stars out of a maximum of 4 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1822 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews |work=Reelviews.net |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref><ref name=ebert>{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/paranormal-activity-2009|title=Paranormal Activity |work=] |first=Roger|last=Ebert|date=October 7, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> Ebert stated in his review, "It illustrates one of my favorite points, that silence and waiting can be more entertaining than frantic fast-cutting and berserk f/x. For extended periods here, nothing at all is happening, and believe me, you won't be bored."<ref name=ebert/> '']'' critic ] gave ''Paranormal Activity'' an A− rating and called it "frightening...freaky and terrifying" and said that "''Paranormal Activity'' scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/10/23/paranormal-activity/ |title=Paranormal Activity|magazine=]|date=October 23, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> ] ranked the film 16th in their list of the "Top 20 Horror Films of the Decade", with the article saying, "Peli deserves props for milking the maximum amount of tension out of the spare, modern setting—an ordinary, cookie-cutter tract home in San Diego. It doesn't sound very scary, but Peli manages to make it terrifying. If you aren't white-knuckling your armrest at least once or twice while watching it, you probably don't have a pulse."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18415|title=00's Retrospect: Bloody Disgusting's Top 20 Films of the Decade...Part 2|work=]|access-date=January 3, 2010|date=December 17, 2009}}</ref>
===Accolades===
The film was nominated for "best first feature" in the ].<ref>{{cite news|date=December 1, 2009|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/12/precious-and-the-last-station-lead-independent-spirit-award-nominations.html |title='Precious' and 'The Last Station' lead Independent Spirit Award nominations [Updated&#93; &#124; The Circuit: Awards and Festivals News &#124; Los Angeles Times|publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com|date=2009-12-01|accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref>


However, some critics disliked the film. Michael Carter of '']'' summed up the film as "all right", though denouncing its reliance on "cheap jump scares and an even cheaper 'found footage' style".<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Michael |date=March 23, 2016 |title=Horrifically bad: A ranking of the best and worst horror films |url=http://www.breezejmu.org/offthebeat/horrifically-bad-a-ranking-of-the-best-and-worst-horror/article_b6e37c5c-f159-11e5-9c5f-9f341110c864.html |website=The Breeze |access-date=June 24, 2016}}</ref> ] of the Australian television series '']'' said that "it was extremely unthrilling, very obvious, very clichéd. We've seen it all before."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2751087.htm|title=At The Movies Review of Paranormal Activity|last=Stratton|first=David|author-link=David Stratton|work=]|access-date=February 16, 2010}}</ref> Marc Savlov of '']'' called it "an excruciatingly tedious ] gag cleverly marketed to go viral".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/2009-10-09/paranormal-activity/|title=Paranormal Activity|last=Savlov|first=Marc|work=]|date=October 9, 2009|access-date=June 18, 2014}}</ref> Bill Gibron of '']'' listed the film as the second worst horror film of all time, writing that it lacked "anything remotely redeeming for the seasoned fright fan", and was "a waste of time in both concept and execution".<ref>{{cite news |last=Gibron |first=Bill |date=October 22, 2013 |title=The 10 Worst Horror Movies of All Time |url=https://www.popmatters.com/175991-the-10-worst-horror-movies-of-all-time-2495714575.html |website=PopMatters |access-date=February 5, 2023}}</ref>
==Related media==
===Digital comics===
In December 2009, a short digital comic entitled ''Paranormal Activity: The Search for Katie'' was released for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18397 |title=First 5 Pages 'Paranormal Activity: The Search For KAtie' |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> It was penned by ]<ref>{{cite web|author= BK |date=12/19/2009 |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/35057/get-free-paranormal-activity-app-itunes |title=Get the Free Paranormal Activity App from iTunes |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=2009-12-19 |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> and features art from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34892/idw-launches-paranormal-activitythe-search-katie |title=IDW Launches Paranormal Activity:The Search for Katie |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref>


===Parodies=== ===Accolades===
The film was nominated for Best First Feature in the ].<ref>{{cite news|date=December 1, 2009|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/12/precious-and-the-last-station-lead-independent-spirit-award-nominations.html |title='Precious' and 'The Last Station' lead Independent Spirit Award nominations|last=King|first=Susan|work=]|access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref>
The '']'' episode "]" spoofed Katie's sleepwalking with a fast-forward video of ] "sleep-eating."<ref>{{IMDb title|1590351|Verna}}</ref>


==Legacy==
On March 7, 2010, ] and ] performed a spoof of the film<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19377|title=Horror Invades the 2010 Academy Awards|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> as part of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36282/oscars-2010-paranormal-activity-spoof-and-salute-horror-introd-twilight-kids|title=Oscars 2010: Paranormal Activity Spoof and Salute to Horror Intro'd by the Twilight Kids|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref>
The monetary success of ''Paranormal Activity'' compared to its budget made it the most profitable film of all time, surpassing ''The Blair Witch Project'' (1999).<ref>{{cite web|last=Frankel |first=Daniel |url=https://www.thewrap.com/article/paranormal-now-most-profitable-film-ever-9335?page=1 |title='Paranormal' Now the Most Profitable Film Ever |work=The Wrap |date= October 28, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2009/1030/how-paranormal-activity-became-the-most-profitable-movie-ever |title=How 'Paranormal Activity' became the most profitable movie ever|last=O'Carroll|first=Eoin|work=]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=December 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/nov/30/paranormal-activity-oren-peli |title=Paranormal Activity director's new film snapped up|work=] |last=Brooks |first=Xan |date= November 30, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> It directly led to found footage becoming a horror movie trend for years, with '']'', '']'', '']'', and the '']'' series arriving in its wake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curran |first=Brad |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Why Paranormal Activity Kickstarted The Found Footage Craze |url=https://screenrant.com/paranormal-activity-found-footage-blair-witch-kickstarted/ |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=]}}</ref>
On '']'', Zach and the guys try and find a ghost on the ship so while they're sleeping, they recorded their sleep to find if there is a ghost on the ship.


"]" group ] created a parody titled '']'' in 2010. ] group ] created their take on the film, titled '']'', which would later spawn a series of its own. In Japan, a sequel entitled '']'' was released in 2010.


On March 7, 2010, ] and ] performed a spoof of the film as part of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19377|title=Horror Invades the 2010 Academy Awards|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=]|date=March 8, 2010|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36282/oscars-2010-paranormal-activity-spoof-and-salute-horror-introd-twilight-kids|title=Oscars 2010: Paranormal Activity Spoof and Salute to Horror Intro'd by the Twilight Kids|last=Barton|first=Steve|work=]|date=March 8, 2010|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref> '']'', a parody film, was released in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kurutz |first=Steven |date=January 9, 2013 |title=If Marlon Wayans Asks You to His House, Think Twice |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/garden/qa-with-marlon-wayans-of-a-haunted-house.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
On the South Park episode "City Sushi" Butters sets up a camera and like in the first and second movie video tapes himself sleeping and his therapist Dr Janice (who has multiple personalitly disorder) comes into his room and take a piss on him, then punches Butters a couple of times and walks out Butters wakes up and thinks he "wet himself agian".


===Digital comics===
==Prequel==
In December 2009, a short digital comic entitled ''Paranormal Activity: The Search for Katie'' was released for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18397 |title=First 5 Pages 'Paranormal Activity: The Search For KAtie' |work=] |date= December 15, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> It was written by ]<ref>{{cite web|author= BK |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/35057/get-free-paranormal-activity-app-itunes |title=Get the Free Paranormal Activity App from iTunes |work=] |date=December 19, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> and features art from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34892/idw-launches-paranormal-activitythe-search-katie |title=IDW Launches Paranormal Activity:The Search for Katie |last=Barton |first=Steve |work=] |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref>
{{Update|date=October 2011}}
{{main|Paranormal Activity 2}}
Paramount hired screenwriter ] to create the follow-up for an October 22, 2010 release. ], the director of the first film, serves as a producer for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsinfilm.com/2010/01/19/saw-vi-director-hired-for-paranormal-activity-2/ |title='Saw VI' Director Hired for 'Paranormal Activity 2' |publisher=Newsinfilm.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref>


===Video game===
], director of '']'', was initially hired to direct the prequel. However, ] exercised a clause in Greutert's contract to have him direct the ] in the ].<ref>Holmes, Matt. (2010-01-28) Obsessedwithmovies.com. Retrieved 2010-01-29.</ref> The full acting cast returned for the prequel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19374|title=Original 'Paranormal Activity' Cast Returning for prequel|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref>
A ] called ''Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul'' was released by VRWerx for the ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pavrgame.com/|title=Paranormal Activity VR Game}}</ref> The PlayStation 4 version can be played in both ] and regular mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrQusHGbKQ|title=Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul Official YouTube|website=] |date=March 13, 2018 }}</ref>


==Sequels and prequel==
] is the director for ''Paranormal Activity 2'', which started production in May 2010.<ref>Leins, Jeff (2010-03-26) NewsinFilm.com. Retrieved 2010-03-26.</ref>
{{Main|Paranormal Activity (film series)}}
A parallel sequel and prequel, '']'', was released in 2010. The success of the first two films would spawn additional films in the series: the prequel '']'' in 2011, and '']'' (the sequel to the second installment) in 2012. The fifth installment and spin-off, ], was released in 2014, and the sixth installment, ], was released in 2015. A seventh mainline installment, titled ], was released in October 2021 to the ] ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/video/paranormal-activity-next-of-kin-release-date-trailer/ |title=Paramount+ Sets Premiere Date For 'Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin'; Teaser Unveiled |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=] |date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> In Japan, a sequel/spin-off "not-official" to the first film was released in 2010, titled ].

==See also==
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{reflist|2}}

<ref name=img>{{cite web|title=Paranormal Activity|website=]|access-date=October 5, 2021|archive-date=December 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206031026/http://www.imglobalfilm.com/television/paranormal-activity|url=https://www.imglobalfilm.com/television/paranormal-activity}}</ref>

}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20090922185701/http://www.paranormalmovie.com/}} (Archived)
* {{IMDb title|1179904|Paranormal Activity}} * {{IMDb title|1179904|Paranormal Activity}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=Paranormal Activity}}
* {{mojo title|paranormalactivity|Paranormal Activity}} * {{mojo title|paranormalactivity|Paranormal Activity}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|paranormal_activity|Paranormal Activity}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|paranormal_activity|Paranormal Activity}}
* {{metacritic film|paranormalactivity|Paranormal Activity}}
* at ]
* at ]


{{Paranormal Activity}} {{Paranormal Activity}}
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Revision as of 05:08, 25 December 2024

2007 film by Oren Peli This article is about the 2007 film. For the film series, see Paranormal Activity (film series). For the phenomena of paranormal activity, see paranormal.

Paranormal Activity
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOren Peli
Written byOren Peli
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyOren Peli
Edited byOren Peli
Production
company
Blumhouse Productions
Distributed by
Release dates
  • October 14, 2007 (2007-10-14) (Screamfest)
  • September 25, 2009 (2009-09-25) (United States)
Running time86 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetProduction: $15,000
Post-production: $200,000
Box office$194.2 million

Paranormal Activity is a 2007 American supernatural horror film produced, written, directed, photographed, and edited by Oren Peli. It centers on a young couple (Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat) who are haunted by a supernatural presence inside their home. They then set up a camera to document what is haunting them. The film uses found-footage conventions that were mirrored in the later films of the series.

Originally developed as an independent feature and given film festival screenings in 2007, the film was shot for $15,000. It was then acquired by Paramount Pictures and modified, particularly with a new ending that cost an additional $200,000. It was given a limited U.S. release on September 25, 2009, and then a nationwide release on October 16, 2009. The film earned nearly $108 million at the U.S. box office and a further $85 million internationally for a worldwide total of $194 million. Paramount/DreamWorks acquired the U.S. rights for $350,000. It is often cited as the most profitable film ever made, based on proportionate return on investment, although such figures are difficult to verify independently as this is likely to exclude marketing costs.

The film is the first entry in the Paranormal Activity film series. A parallel sequel, Paranormal Activity 2, was released in 2010.

Plot

Katie drives up to Micah's house in San Diego, as she is moving in. Katie claims an evil presence has been haunting her since she was a child, so Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom to record any paranormal activity that occurs while they sleep. Psychic Dr. Fredrichs visits the couple and suggests Katie is being haunted by a demon that feeds off of negative energy and is intent on tormenting her. He advises not to communicate with the demon without a demonologist, but Micah continues to film and seek it out.

The camera captures many strange occurrences during the night: they start off as minor noises, flickering lights, and bedroom door movements, but over time escalate into loud thuds, violent door slamming, and demonic grunts and screeches. One night, Katie appears to be in a trance; she gets up, stands beside the bed staring at Micah for two hours, and goes outside, none of which she recalls the next day.

Micah brings home a Ouija board. When the couple leaves the house, the camera records an unseen force moving the board's pointer on its surface, which then spontaneously catches fire. Katie is increasingly aggravated by Micah's flippant behavior and pleads to contact the demonologist, but he refuses. The couple finds non-human footsteps on baby powder Micah sprinkled in the hallway; its path leads to a burnt photograph of a young Katie in the attic, thought to have been destroyed in a house fire. Outside intervention is unavailable, as the demonologist is out of the country and Dr. Fredrichs is afraid of making the demon angrier. The next night (20), Katie is pulled out of the bedroom by an unseen force. Micah discovers a bite mark on Katie's back the morning after, motivating him to get out of the house, but Katie abruptly insists on staying.

On night twenty-one, Katie gets out of bed again and stares at Micah for two hours before going downstairs. Katie screams profusely for Micah and he quickly rushes to help her. Afterward, Micah screams in pain with loud thuds. After a moment of silence, Micah's body is violently hurled at the camera which is knocked off the tripod, revealing Katie standing in the doorway with blood on her shirt. She crawls to Micah's body, then looks up at the camera with a grin. As she lunges toward the camera, her face takes on a demonic snarl, and the scene cuts to black. The epilogue text states Micah's body is discovered by the police, and Katie is missing.

Alternate endings

Once Paramount acquired the film, the original ending was shown at only one public viewing before being scrapped; two new endings were developed, one theatrically released above and the other available as an alternate ending on home releases.

Original ending

Katie returns to the bedroom alone, covered in blood and holding a large kitchen knife. She sits on the floor against the bed and rocks back and forth. The next day, Katie's friend Amber leaves a concerned message at 2 pm, visits the house at 9 pm, discovers Micah's body downstairs, and runs away in panic. Thirty minutes later, two policemen enter the house and reach the bedroom where they find the possessed Katie with the knife. Seeing them, Katie suddenly returns to her normal state and asks about Micah. After the attic door slams by itself, one of the officers panics and shoots and kills her. The camera fades to black as the police officers continue searching the house for the source of the sound. An epilogue text appears dedicating the film to the memory of Micah and Katie.

This ending was only shown publicly at the 2007 Screamfest Film Festival and was never released officially by Paramount or Blumhouse since its acquisition. The original version of the film (dubbed the "Festival Cut") was later leaked on various forums, which included this ending.

New alternate ending

After killing Micah off-screen, Katie comes back upstairs alone like in the original ending. She closes and locks the bedroom door, approaches the camera and promptly slits her own throat, before collapsing dead. The scene then fades to black.

Cast

Production

Attempting to focus on believability rather than action and gore, Peli chose to shoot the picture with a home video camera. In deciding on a more raw and stationary format (the camera was almost always sitting on a tripod or something else) and eliminating the need for a camera crew, a "higher degree of plausibility" was created for the audience as they were "more invested in the story and the characters". Peli says that the dialogue was "natural" because there was no real script. Instead, the actors were given outlines of the story and situations to improvise, a technique known as "retroscripting" also used in the making of The Blair Witch Project. In casting the movie, Peli auditioned "a few hundred people" before finally meeting Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. He originally auditioned them individually and later called them back to audition together. Peli was impressed with the chemistry between the actors, saying, "If you saw the footage, you would've thought they had known each other for years." During a guest appearance on The Jay Leno Show on November 3, 2009, Sloat and Featherston explained they each saw the casting call on LACasting. Featherston noted they were originally paid $500 for their work.

The film was shot out of sequence due to Peli's self-imposed seven-day shooting schedule, though he would have preferred the story to have unfolded for the actors as he had envisioned it. Sloat, who controlled the camera for a good deal of the film, was a former cameraman at his university's TV station. "It was a very intense week", Peli said, stating that the film would be shot day and night, edited at the same time, and would have the visual effects applied to it as the acting footage was being finalized. Multiple endings were conceived, but not all of them were shot.

The film was screened at 2007's Screamfest Horror Film Festival, where it impressed an assistant at the Creative Artists Agency, Kirill Baru, so much that CAA signed on to represent Peli. Attempting to find a distributor for the film and/or directing work for Peli, the agency sent out DVDs of the movie to as many people in the industry as they could, and it was eventually seen by Miramax Films Senior Executive Jason Blum, who thought it had potential. He worked with Peli to re-edit the film and submitted it to the Sundance Film Festival, but it was rejected. The DVD also impressed DreamWorks executives Adam Goodman, Stacey Snider, and finally Steven Spielberg, who cut a deal with Blum and Peli.

DreamWorks' plan was to remake the film with a bigger budget and with Peli directing, and only to include the original version as an extra when the DVD was eventually released. "They didn't know what to do with ", said Blum; they just wanted to be "in business" with Peli. Blum and Peli agreed, but stipulated a test screening of the original film before going ahead with the remake, believing it would be well received by a theatrical audience.

During the screening, people began walking out; Goodman thought the film was bombing, until he learned that the viewers were actually leaving because they were so frightened. He then realized a remake was unwise. Paramount Pictures, which acquired DreamWorks in 2005, bought the domestic rights to the film, and worldwide rights to any sequels, for US$350,000. When the film was taken in by Paramount, several changes were made. Some scenes were cut, others added, and the original ending was scrapped, with two new endings being shot. The ending shown in theaters during the film's worldwide release is the only one of the three to feature visual effects, and it differs from the endings previously seen at the Screamfest and Burbank screenings. The theatrical release was delayed indefinitely because Paramount had put all DreamWorks productions on hold. Meanwhile, a screening for international buyers resulted in the sale of international rights in 52 countries. Only after Goodman became production chief at Paramount in June 2009 did the film finally get slated for a fall release.

Release

Paranormal Activity premiered at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in North America on October 14, 2007, was shown at the Slamdance Film Festival on January 18, 2008, and screened at the 36th Annual Telluride Film Festival on September 6, 2009.

The version with the new ending made after Paramount acquired the film was screened on September 25, 2009, in twelve college towns across the United States; the venues included Boulder, Colorado; Columbus, Ohio; Madison, Wisconsin; and Seattle, Washington. Eleven of the twelve venues sold out with State College, Pennsylvania, being the only exception due to a Penn State football game that was held the same night. On his website, director Oren Peli invited internet users to "demand" where the film went next by voting on Eventful. This was the first time a major motion picture studio used the service to virally market a film. On September 28, Paramount issued a press release on Peli's website, announcing openings in 20 other markets on October 2, including larger market cities such as New York and Chicago.

On October 3, it was reported that a total of 33 screenings in all 20 markets had sold out and that the film had earned $500,000 domestically. A day later, Paramount announced that the film would have a full limited release in 40 markets, playing at all hours (including after-midnight showings). On October 6, Paramount announced that the movie would be released nationwide if the film received one million "demands" on Eventful. The full limited release of the film started on October 9. On October 10, the Eventful.com counter hit over one million requests. Paramount announced soon after that the film would get a wide domestic release on October 16 and expand to more theaters on October 23. By November, it was showing in theaters worldwide.

Home media

Paranormal Activity was not released on DVD or Blu-ray until December 29, 2009, more than two years after the film was made. The home release includes one alternate ending to the theatrical version. It was released in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2010, on DVD and Blu-ray with some specials. In the Netherlands the movie received a release on VHS in 2010. The film grossed $22.1 million in home sales.

Additionally, at the end of the film, 15 minutes worth of names were added to the DVD release, as part of a special promotion. The message that popped up before this said: "The fans who "demanded" the film were asked by email if they wanted to have their name appear as a thank you for the film's success."

Reception

Box office

The film opened on September 25, 2009, to twelve theaters and took $36,146 on its opening day and $77,873 on its first weekend for an average of $6,489 per venue. It had more success when it opened to 33 theaters on October 1, 2009, doubling the box-office reception, grossing $532,242 for an average of $16,129 per venue, bringing the 10-day total to $776,763.

As it expanded to 160 theaters on the October 9–11 weekend, the film grossed $2.7 million on that Friday, having a per-theater average of $16,621. It went on to gross $7.9 million. Over the weekend, the film reached the week's highest per-theater average of $49,379, coming in at fourth for the weekend, behind Couples Retreat, Zombieland, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Over the weekend of October 16, 2009, Paranormal Activity expanded to 600 more theaters, grossing $19.6 million with $25,813 per theater average gross, and bringing the total gross to $33.2 million. On the weekend of October 23, 2009, Paranormal Activity rose to first, beating out Saw VI, earning $21,104,070, expanding to 1,945 theaters for an average of $10,850 per theater, compared with the $14.1 million gross from 3,036 theaters, and $4,650 average for Saw VI. The film has grossed $107.9 million domestically and $85.4 million in foreign markets, with a total gross of $194.2 million. The Hollywood Reporter estimated the film made a net profit of $78 million.

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating of 83% based on 211 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Using its low-budget effects and mockumentary method to great result, Paranormal Activity turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Film critics James Berardinelli and Roger Ebert each awarded it 3.5 stars out of a maximum of 4 stars. Ebert stated in his review, "It illustrates one of my favorite points, that silence and waiting can be more entertaining than frantic fast-cutting and berserk f/x. For extended periods here, nothing at all is happening, and believe me, you won't be bored." Entertainment Weekly critic Owen Gleiberman gave Paranormal Activity an A− rating and called it "frightening...freaky and terrifying" and said that "Paranormal Activity scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés." Bloody Disgusting ranked the film 16th in their list of the "Top 20 Horror Films of the Decade", with the article saying, "Peli deserves props for milking the maximum amount of tension out of the spare, modern setting—an ordinary, cookie-cutter tract home in San Diego. It doesn't sound very scary, but Peli manages to make it terrifying. If you aren't white-knuckling your armrest at least once or twice while watching it, you probably don't have a pulse."

However, some critics disliked the film. Michael Carter of The Breeze summed up the film as "all right", though denouncing its reliance on "cheap jump scares and an even cheaper 'found footage' style". David Stratton of the Australian television series At the Movies said that "it was extremely unthrilling, very obvious, very clichéd. We've seen it all before." Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle called it "an excruciatingly tedious YouTube gag cleverly marketed to go viral". Bill Gibron of PopMatters listed the film as the second worst horror film of all time, writing that it lacked "anything remotely redeeming for the seasoned fright fan", and was "a waste of time in both concept and execution".

Accolades

The film was nominated for Best First Feature in the Independent Spirit Awards 2009.

Legacy

The monetary success of Paranormal Activity compared to its budget made it the most profitable film of all time, surpassing The Blair Witch Project (1999). It directly led to found footage becoming a horror movie trend for years, with The Last Exorcism, Apollo 18, The Devil Inside, and the V/H/S series arriving in its wake.

Mockbuster group The Asylum created their take on the film, titled Paranormal Entity, which would later spawn a series of its own. In Japan, a sequel entitled Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night was released in 2010.

On March 7, 2010, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin performed a spoof of the film as part of the 82nd Academy Awards. A Haunted House, a parody film, was released in 2013.

Digital comics

In December 2009, a short digital comic entitled Paranormal Activity: The Search for Katie was released for the iPhone. It was written by Scott Lobdell and features art from Mark Badger.

Video game

A video game called Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul was released by VRWerx for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation 4. The PlayStation 4 version can be played in both PlayStation VR and regular mode.

Sequels and prequel

Main article: Paranormal Activity (film series)

A parallel sequel and prequel, Paranormal Activity 2, was released in 2010. The success of the first two films would spawn additional films in the series: the prequel Paranormal Activity 3 in 2011, and Paranormal Activity 4 (the sequel to the second installment) in 2012. The fifth installment and spin-off, The Marked Ones, was released in 2014, and the sixth installment, The Ghost Dimension, was released in 2015. A seventh mainline installment, titled Next of Kin, was released in October 2021 to the Paramount+ streaming service. In Japan, a sequel/spin-off "not-official" to the first film was released in 2010, titled Paranormal Activity: Tokyo Night.

See also

References

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External links

Paranormal Activity film series
Films
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