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.

Ghost Dad (1990) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Ghost Dad (1990) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a bustling city where financial worries bite as sharply as traffic, Elliot Hopper is a widowed father whose relentless drive to secure a pivotal business deal threatens to eclipse the quiet moments of family life. Juggling three spirited children and the promise of a promotion that could lift them out of hardship, his world is a delicate balance of corporate ambition and paternal devotion, set against the ordinary rhythms of daily life that feel suddenly fragile.

A sudden taxi accident shatters that balance, leaving Elliot to awaken in a strange, unseen realm. He discovers he is lingering as a ghost, invisible to most yet perceptible in the darkness of his own home. With the unexpected aid of paranormal researcher Sir Edith Moser, who arrives with a curious blend of scientific intrigue and compassionate curiosity, he learns to navigate this new existence—slipping through doors, drifting between floors, and gradually mastering the subtle powers that his spectral state affords. The film’s tone mingles gentle supernatural mystery with heartfelt domestic comedy, inviting viewers to wonder about the limits of love and responsibility when the living and the dead intersect.

As Elliot grapples with the urgency of completing the business deal that could secure his children’s future, he also confronts the deeper question of what it means to protect and provide from beyond the veil. Relationships with his children, a supportive yet bewildered love interest, and a demanding boss all take on a fresh, uncanny texture. The story unfolds in a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly, offering a warm, witty exploration of family bonds that persevere even when the ordinary rules no longer apply.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:39

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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.

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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.

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Ghost Dad Summary

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Ghost Dad Summary

Ghost Dad Timeline

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Ghost Dad Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ghost Dad

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Ghost Dad

More About Ghost Dad

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