Mr. Boogedy

Mr. Boogedy

Year: 1986

Runtime: 44 mins

Language: English

Director: Oz Scott

DramaAdventureHorror

A novelty salesman moves his family into a new home, and the father’s habit of pulling practical jokes leads them to dismiss odd noises and flickering lights as tricks. However, they soon discover the house is genuinely haunted by the spirits of the people who lived there three hundred years earlier.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Mr. Boogedy yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Mr. Boogedy (1986) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Mr. Boogedy (1986), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Carlton Richard Masur Davis and Eloise Mimi Kennedy Davis, owners of a gag-gift company, move with their kids Jennifer Kristy Swanson Davis, Corwin David Faustino Davis, and R.E. into a creaky old house in Lucifer Falls, New England, where a chilling welcome awaits them from a wary old man named Neil Witherspoon. He warns that the house carries a tragic history and cautions about a sinister presence known as the Boogedy Man, a legend that seems to cling to the walls as soon as they cross the threshold.

That night, Jennifer is unsettled by a strange sneezing that seems to echo through the halls, and a blue light glows from behind a doorway upstairs. R.E.’s teddy bear also goes missing, leaving the family uneasy and wondering if the stories are more than mere stories. The following morning, Jennifer begs Carlton to acknowledge the strange events, but he brushes it off, insisting that ghosts aren’t real. Later, Jennifer faints after another burst of bright light and a chorus of maniacal laughter, insisting she saw the Boogedy Man. The adults dismiss it as a prank or fear, but the children know something real is happening.

Corwin and R.E. decide to investigate further and eventually follow Jennifer into town to find Mr. Witherspoon for answers. The old man leans into the tale, recounting the legend of William Hanover, a grumpy pilgrim who fell in love with a widow named Marion. Hanover makes a fateful pact with the Devil to gain a magic cloak that grants him extraordinary powers, but the price is steep: he kidnaps Marion’s son Jonathan, and in a disastrous first spell, destroys his own house and kills himself, Jonathan, and Marion. The Davis house now sits on the ruins of Hanover’s former home. Hanover, now the Boogedy Man, and Jonathan—who died with a cold—are trapped as spirits, while Marion remains outside, unable to reach her child. The weight of that history hangs over the new home, even as the living try to settle in.

Back home, the Davis clan grapples with fear as the haunting escalates. Eloise and the children experience ghostly activity, and even Carlton begins to fear that the house might be haunted after all. They decide to ride out the night together in the living room, hoping the terror will pass. In a pivotal moment, the Widow Marion John Astin appears to Eloise outside the back door and shares her side of the story, urging them to find a way to end Boogedy’s reign. The revelation becomes clear: the key to stopping Boogedy lies in stealing away his magic cloak, the source of his power.

With the plan in hand, the family arms themselves with everyday items and ascends to the upper level, determined to confront the evil. R.E. hears a strange noise and heads toward the basement, with Corwin following close behind. In the dim basement, Corwin discovers Jonathan’s ghost, who sneezes constantly because he died with a cold. Jonathan explains that he “borrowed” the teddy bear because he was lonely, and in a moment of compassion, R.E. allows him to keep the bear for a while. Jonathan also shares stories of other families pushed out by Boogedy, deepening the family’s resolve to break the curse. Jonathan Jamie McEnnan becomes more than a voice from the past, becoming a bridge to the living.

The confrontation erupts as Boogedy materializes and launches a psychic-charge assault, turning the Davises’ gag gifts and household appliances against them. They fight back with courage and cleverness, using the very tools of their everyday life to counter the supernatural threat. A pivotal moment comes when a vacuum cleaner snags Boogedy’s cloak, tearing it away and stripping him of his magical powers. The cloak’s power fractures under the device’s grip, and Boogedy lets out one last scream before he vanishes, powerless.

As the tension eases, Widow Marion and Jonathan appear once more, their forms bright and finally reunited. The ghosts embrace before dissolving into the air, and the Davis family looks on in relief as the house seems to grow warm and welcoming again. The haunting seems to have ended, and the family breathes easier, convinced they can now live in their home without fear. Yet, a final, cheeky threat lingers in the air, as Boogedy’s voice crackles one last line: > Wanna bet?!

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:17

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Family-Friendly Haunted House Movies like Mr. Boogedy

Families face off against friendly ghosts using teamwork and household items.If you enjoyed the playful scares and family bonding in Mr. Boogedy, you'll like these movies. They feature families moving into haunted houses, discovering friendly ghosts, and using teamwork to solve a lighthearted supernatural mystery with a happy ending.

family-friendlyplayful spookywhimsicalheartwarmingsuspensefuladventurous

Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with a family encountering unexplained phenomena in a new home. Initial suspicion gives way to a curious investigation, revealing a harmless or misunderstood spirit. The climax involves a collaborative effort to help the ghost find peace, strengthening the family's bonds in the process.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a unique blend of supernatural adventure and domestic comedy. They prioritize a sense of wonder and playful suspense over horror, featuring resourceful characters who solve problems with ingenuity rather than violence, leading to a uplifting conclusion.

Movies with Whimsical Ghosts and Clever Heroes like Mr. Boogedy

Cheerful, ordinary people use everyday ingenuity to outsmart comical spirits.Fans of Mr. Boogedy will enjoy these stories where cheerful protagonists face off against mischievous, rather than malevolent, supernatural forces. The focus is on lighthearted problem-solving and clever tricks, creating a fun and suspenseful vibe without heavy scares.

whimsicalplayfulcleversuspensefulheartwarminginventive

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows an optimistic or prankster-type character who discovers a supernatural presence. Instead of fear, they approach the situation with curiosity and a desire to help or outsmart the entity. The resolution is achieved through a humorous and inventive scheme, often involving practical jokes or simple contraptions.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their lighthearted approach to the supernatural. They replace dread with whimsy, featuring protagonists who are defined by their cleverness and good humor. The viewing experience is defined by playful suspense and a satisfying, low-stakes triumph of ingenuity over ghostly mischief.

Unlock the Full Story of Mr. Boogedy

Don't stop at just watching — explore Mr. Boogedy 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 Mr. Boogedy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Mr. Boogedy Timeline

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

Mr. Boogedy Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mr. Boogedy

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Mr. Boogedy. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mr. Boogedy

Mr. Boogedy Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Mr. Boogedy that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Mr. Boogedy Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mr. Boogedy

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Mr. Boogedy: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Mr. Boogedy

Similar Movies to Mr. Boogedy

Discover movies like Mr. Boogedy that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.