Ghost Dad

Ghost Dad

Year: 1990

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Sidney Poitier

FamilyFantasyComedy

After a widower, Elliot Hopper, is killed in a taxi accident while trying to secure a business deal to lift his family out of financial hardship, he finds himself lingering as a ghost. With the help of a paranormal researcher, he learns to move through doors and floors, using his spectral abilities to complete the deal and protect his three children, ensuring they are provided for.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Ghost Dad (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ghost Dad (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Home, Hospital, London

The Hopper family home sits at the heart of the story, anchoring the characters to love and responsibility. The hospital becomes the dramatic setting where Elliot's absence creates fear and urgency for the family. London enters the narrative through Sir Edith Moser, introducing the paranormal framework that keeps Elliot tethered to the living world until Thursday.

🏠 Home 🏥 Hospital 🌍 London

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:50

Main Characters – Ghost Dad (1990)

Meet the key characters of Ghost Dad (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Elliot Hopper (Bill Cosby)

A workaholic widower whose obsession with success strains his family. After a taxi crash, he becomes a ghost whom his children can sometimes sense, and he must navigate his afterlife until Thursday. His experiences force him to re-evaluate priorities, ultimately choosing family over career.

🎭 Drama 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 👻 Ghost

Joan (Denise Nicholas)

Elliot's love interest who reacts with shock to his ghostly presence but grows sympathetic as she witnesses his devotion to his family. Her relationship with Elliot provides emotional grounding for his struggle to return to life.

💞 Romance 👪 Family 💬 Support

Diane Hopper (Kimberly Russell)

Elliot's daughter who witnesses his ghostly attempts to communicate. She triggers pivotal moments that test the family's bonds and drives the hospital sequence where Elliot's fate hinges on their reunion. She embodies innocence and resilience.

👧 Family 🏥 Hospital 💡 Determination

Danny Hopper (Salim Grant)

Elliot's son who wants his father around for simple moments, like a magic trick at school. His desire for his dad's presence underlines the theme of family over career and motivates Elliot to change his priorities.

🧒 Family 🎩 Magic 🙌 Support

Curtis Burch (Raynor Scheine)

The erratic taxi driver described as the 'Evil Master' who triggers Elliot's death by reckless driving. He remains a disruptive force, ultimately tied to the wallet swap that keeps Elliot from crossing over at the right time.

🚕 Antagonist 🗝️ Deception ⚡ Chaos

Sir Edith Moser (Ian Bannen)

Paranormal researcher who travels from London to explain the rules of Elliot's afterlife. He reveals that Elliot's soul is stuck because of a bureaucratic error and outlines the path Elliot must follow to cross over, adding a layer of supernatural lore to the comedy.

🧭 Guide 🧙 Magic 🗝️ Lore

Amanda Hopper (Brooke Fontaine)

Diane's younger sister whose skate left on the stairs becomes a catalyst for the hospital crisis. She is part of the family dynamic that pushes Elliot to reconnect with his loved ones and emphasize safety and care.

👶 Family 🛼 Accidents 🧸 Innocence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:50

Major Themes – Ghost Dad (1990)

Explore the central themes of Ghost Dad (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family

An overworked father learns that family matters more than career success. His ghostly presence forces his children to confront their vulnerabilities and needs. The film uses humor to soften heavy moments while highlighting the importance of connection. The ending reinforces that true success is measured by love and togetherness.

👻 Afterlife

The protagonist's ghostly state shapes the narrative as a rule-bound limbo rather than a pure fantasy. London-based Edith Moser explains that crossing over hinges on a specific moment, creating time pressure for resolutions. The story blends comedy with mystery to explore what happens after death.

⏳ Redemption

Time pressure drives Elliot to choose between a major work deal and his family's needs. He abandons a crucial meeting to help his son, prioritizing love over promotion. The arc culminates with the family reuniting and Elliot's commitment to their happiness.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:50

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Lighthearted Supernatural Family Adventures like Ghost Dad

Whimsical tales where friendly ghosts meddle in the lives of their loved ones.Explore a collection of movies like Ghost Dad where friendly ghosts and spectral beings cause lighthearted mischief. These similar family comedies blend gentle fantasy with domestic charm, offering amusing stories about supernatural interventions and heartwarming family connections.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a supernatural event—often a death—that is treated lightly, followed by the ghost learning to navigate their new existence. The central conflict involves using their spectral powers to solve a domestic or familial problem, leading to a series of comedic misadventures and a final, happy resolution that strengthens family ties.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core premise of a well-meaning ghost interacting with the living world for comedic and heartwarming effect. They maintain a light tone, avoid heavy emotional weight, and use the supernatural as a tool for exploring themes of love, family, and connection in an accessible, family-friendly way.

Movies about Fathers on a Posthumous Mission like Ghost Dad

Stories of devoted fathers finishing their work from the afterlife.If you liked the devoted father in Ghost Dad, discover more movies where fathers continue their mission from beyond. These similar stories explore themes of fatherhood, responsibility, and love that endures even after death, often with a mix of humor and heart.

earnesthopefulfatherhoodsupernaturalredemptiveheartwarmingbittersweetdevoted

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a father figure who dies but remains tethered to the living world by an unresolved goal related to his family's well-being. His journey involves mastering his new state of being to complete this mission, facing obstacles that test his dedication, and ultimately achieving a resolution that brings peace and security to his children, often finding personal redemption in the process.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by the powerful archetype of the caring father whose commitment to his family is so strong it defies death. They explore themes of legacy, responsibility, and the sacrifices of parenthood, blending emotional core with often supernatural or fantastical premises to create uplifting and affirming stories.

Unlock the Full Story of Ghost Dad

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ghost Dad in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ghost Dad is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ghost Dad Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ghost Dad, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ghost Dad Summary

Ghost Dad Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ghost Dad with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ghost Dad Timeline

Ghost Dad Spoiler-Free Summary

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Ghost Dad Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Ghost Dad

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