Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film’s sets… after selling for $1.28 MILLION

Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION

As a child of the ’80s, I vividly remember the chilling thrill that Poltergeist brought into our living rooms. The haunting tale of the Freeling family and their supernatural encounter left an indelible mark on my young mind. However, reading about the darker secrets behind the scenes – like the use of real human remains during production – gives me a whole new perspective.


As a die-hard aficionado, I can’t help but share my excitement over the latest news: The Poltergeist house in Simi Valley, California has been sold for a cool $1.28 million! The new owners plan to transform this iconic abode into an Airbnb, giving fans like me a chance to step inside the chilling world of the classic horror film. I can hardly wait to see how they’ll remodel it to match the eerie sets that sent shivers down our spines!

Back in August, the house had been offered for sale for the first time since 1979, with an asking price of $1.175 million.

Christian Melgar and Zo Amilee from Coldwell Banker Reality Westlake Village told TMZ in an article published on Saturday that the property sold on Friday for $1.28 million, which was $100K over the original asking price. 

The buyer is an investor from Los Gatos, California, and they have the goal to rent out the house after reviving the abode to look like the Poltergeist film set with furniture and decorations. 

1982 saw the release of a chilling supernatural horror masterpiece co-written, produced, and directed by Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper (known for “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”). This movie proved to be the eighth highest-grossing film of that year.

Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION

However, a date when the house will be available for Airbnb guests to reside in is not known. 

Nestled just beyond Thousand Oaks and Malibu to the north lies a spacious 16,000 square-foot residence boasting four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

A large swimming pool is located in the spacious backyard, as well as a circular jacuzzi nearby. 

At the forefront of the dwelling, you’ll find a spacious three-car garage, dotted with lush green lawns and some shade-providing trees. A charming brick pathway guides your way towards the welcoming wooden entrance door.

According to Lauren Murdock’s listing in August, the property boasts a well-planned design that is ideal for entertaining, unwinding, and living life to the fullest.

Despite being associated with a movie franchise, the house shows signs of careful maintenance and radiates a positive vibe.

The two-level home includes a vast living room that has large windows, allowing for ample sun to come in ‘creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.’

The house features a dining room adjoining a kitchen, which movie enthusiasts would appreciate remains largely unchanged, yet boasting modern appliances, according to the listing.

The listing mentions that this family room comes equipped with a fireplace and a workspace area, which could potentially be transformed into a comfortable downstairs bedroom.

Upstairs in this house are found its four spacious bedrooms. Notably, the master suite boasts high, arched ceilings, a feature that, as per the listing, creates an expansive and serene ambiance.

In addition to the main bedroom, you’ll find a spacious bathroom equipped with a generously sized Jacuzzi tub and two vanities, along with a shower area and a roomy walk-in wardrobe.

The upstairs area also consists of a trio of bedrooms and a vast bathroom in the home’s hallway.

The plot of the movie unfolds around a house in a residential area, which turned out to be situated on an ancient burial ground. Unseen spirits, identified as malevolent specters, aimed to drive away the Freeling family from their home.

In this endeavor, actors such as JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Oliver Robins, the sadly departed Heather O’Rourke, and Dominique Dunne were part of the stellar cast.

Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION
Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION
Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION
Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION
Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION
Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION

Sadly, this movie series is associated with an unfortunate “curse” that claimed the lives of several actors involved at younger ages.

Among them are Heather O’Rourke, who tragically passed away during a surgical procedure at the age of 12 in February of 1988; and Dominique Dunne, who unfortunately lost her life at the hands of her former boyfriend when she was just 22 years old in November of 1982.

In an article for Vanity Fair published in 2022 to mark the film’s 40th anniversary, Williams revealed that she discovered during the movie’s production that actual human remains had been utilized.

‘I always assumed that the skeletons were made by the prop department,’ Williams told the outlet. 

In the passage of time, I encountered one of the team members responsible for special effects, and I remarked, “It’s incredible how you managed to create all those skeletons. That must have been truly awe-inspiring.

Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION
Poltergeist house is becoming an Airbnb to replicate iconic film's sets... after selling for $1.28 MILLION

In our conversation, he surprised me by stating, “Those weren’t replicas; they were genuine skeletons.” I couldn’t help but be taken aback and respond, “Wait, what?” To which he confirmed, “Yes, indeed, those were real human skeletons.

Williams expressed that he found it disgusting not knowing where the items were purchased from. He’s thankful he didn’t learn about it earlier, as he would have reacted quite strongly to the situation – genuinely so.

After its premiere and impressive box office performance, Poltergeist received numerous honors, including nominations for three Academy Awards in the categories of Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing for Sound Effects, and Best Visual Effects.

Additionally, two follow-ups were produced: Poltergeist II: The Other Side (in 1986) and Poltergeist III (in 1988). A new adaptation of the initial movie hit the screens in 2015.

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2024-10-06 07:34

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