The Haunted House (1980 film)

The Haunted House is a 1980 American animated horror comedy film produced by Movie Toons Film Distribution and distributed by APEX Licensing and Distribution Corporation, directed by Robert Zemeckis, It was the eleventh full-length feature film to be created by SparkToon Features. This is Movie Toons’ first animated feature film to be rated PG.
== Plot ==
In the small town of Willowdale, a mysterious and eerie mansion has stood vacant for decades. The townsfolk whisper tales of ghostly apparitions, strange noises, and unexplained occurrences surrounding the old mansion. The story follows two brave and curious friends, Timmy and Robertson, who decide to explore the abandoned house on a stormy Halloween night.
As they approach the creaky front door, they're met with an eerie atmosphere and an uninviting sense of foreboding. Undeterred, they venture inside, where they stumble upon a dusty, cobweb-covered interior. The house seems to shift and change around them, leading them through winding corridors and hidden rooms.
As they explore, they discover cryptic clues and mysterious objects that hint at a dark history. They soon realize that the house is indeed haunted by the restless spirits of former inhabitants: a family who met a tragic fate in the very same house many years ago.
As Timmy and Robertson navigate the ever-changing layout of the mansion, they encounter various ghostly apparitions: Emily, the playful yet mischievous daughter; James, the brooding and angry father; Mrs. Jenkins, the kind-hearted mother; and Uncle Henry, the eccentric and lovable caretaker. Each ghost has its own story to tell, and as Timmy and Robertson listen, they begin to unravel the mysteries of the house.
As they delve deeper into the mystery, Timmy and Robertson learn that the family's tragic fate was sealed by a cursed artifact: an ancient tome hidden within the house. The book was said to grant immense power but at a terrible cost. The family's greed and ambition ultimately led to their downfall, and now their spirits are trapped between worlds.
With newfound understanding, Timmy and Robertson decide to put things right. They face their fears and confront the dark forces head-on. A thrilling showdown ensues as they outsmart the malevolent entities and shatter the curse. In doing so, they free the trapped spirits and restore peace to the haunted mansion.
With the curse lifted, the house begins to transform before their eyes. The once-creaky doors now swing open with ease, revealing a bright and welcoming entrance. The townsfolk return to reclaim their abandoned home, revitalizing Willowdale's economy. Timmy and Robertson emerge as heroes, their bravery inspiring others to face their own fears.
== Reception ==
The film was critically acclaimed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film got a 93% rating by critics and audiences and the film has an IMDb rating of 9.2/10.
== Home media ==
SparkToon Features Home Entertainment released this film on VHS in 1983 and Laserdisc in 1989 in 4:3 format, and released it to DVD on September 27, 1998 both on widescreen and full screen.
The film was also released on Blu-ray for the first time on April 18, 2013 in the US. Then on October 1, 2020, they released a 40th anniversary set on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo for the first time. It was also released on DVD too. 
== Re-release ==
In 2020 from September 29-October 1, The Haunted House came back in theatres for its 40th anniversary only at Regal and AMC Theatres for two days.
Category:1980 films
Category:SparkToon Features Movies
Category:Animated comedy films
Category:Animated adventure films
Category:Animated Films
Category:Animated horror films
Category:1980s American animated films
Category:1980s English-language films