The Canterville Ghost

The Canterville Ghost

Year: 1985

Runtime: 56 mins

Language: English

Director: William F. Claxton

FamilyTV MovieFantasy

Sir Simon Canterville’s ghost haunts his castle, hoping a brave descendant will lift the family curse by a daring deed. When an American family moves in, they find his antics amusing rather than frightening. The youngest daughter realizes she may be the one to free him—if she dares.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Canterville Ghost (1985)

Trace every key event in The Canterville Ghost (1985) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrival and plan to stay

Harry Canterville returns to England with his wife Lucy and his daughter Jennifer to claim Canterville Castle. He plans to stay at least three months and then sell the place to a developer who wants to turn it into a hotel. The stage is set for a haunting neither they nor the locals fully expect.

Opening scene Canterville Castle, England
2

Warnings and disbelief

The castle is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville. The eccentric relatives refuse to enter the castle, and Mr. and Mrs. Umney warn that something unseen may be at work. Despite these warnings, Harry and Lucy remain skeptical about any real supernatural presence.

Early days Canterville Castle
3

Jennifer's night-time attic encounter

That night, Jennifer sneaks to the attic in search of the ghost. She meets Sir Simon, who initially tries to frighten her but soon shows a surprising gentleness. She learns that he has not slept in over 300 years and is incredibly tired.

Night 1 Canterville Castle – Attic
4

Rooftop rescue confirming the supernatural

The next morning, Harry climbs onto the castle roof to look for wires, hoping for a prank. Sir Simon suddenly appears and rescues him from a fall. The incident makes the family quietly acknowledge that the supernatural presence may be real.

Next morning Canterville Castle – Roof
5

Dinner party scare proves the haunting

During a dinner, Sir Simon materializes to scare off the guests, demonstrating his power. The sight unsettles the household and shocks Harry and Lucy. Their nerves are unsettled enough to begin accepting that the ghost may be real after all.

Evening Canterville Castle – Dining Hall
6

Belief grows in the supernatural

From this point, Harry and Lucy start to believe that Sir Simon is a real presence rather than mere trickery. The haunting becomes a tangible problem rather than a rumor. They begin re-evaluating their plan to stay and their feelings about the castle.

Following dinner Canterville Castle
7

Rumor of murder reaches Jennifer

Jennifer learns from her classmate Paul Blaine about a rumor that Sir Simon killed his wife Eleanor. The idea of a darker past haunts both her and Paul as they discuss the history of the estate. The rumor pushes them to seek more information about Sir Simon's life.

Day after dinner Canterville Castle – Library / Grounds
8

Gravestone mystery and growing questions

They visit the graveyard and discover that Sir Simon's tombstone has no date of death. This oddity intensifies the mystery surrounding his fate. Sir Simon appears to frighten Paul in the graveyard, confirming that there is more to his story.

Later that day Canterville Castle – Graveyard
9

The backstory is revealed

Sir Simon explains to Jennifer that he is doomed to remain on the estate after the death of his wife, who cursed him for the death of their daughter. He explains that the daughter died because of a bridge incident he failed to maintain. The tale explains why the ghost cannot find peace.

Following graveyard visit Canterville Castle – Graveyard
10

A risky plan to free the ghost

Jennifer decides to take a drastic step and pleads with the Angel of Death to release Sir Simon from the curse. She knows there are risks, but she believes it is the only way for him to be freed. The act marks a turning point in the haunting.

Evening Canterville Castle
11

Release from the curse

Sir Simon is released from the curse and can move more freely, marking the end of his prolonged punishment. His freedom signals a new dynamic for the estate and the family. The ghost's departure closes a major chapter of the haunting.

Shortly after release Canterville Castle
12

Aftermath and future plans

With the curse lifted, the family reevaluates their stay and the future of Canterville Castle. The development plan persists as a possibility, but the outcome now feels uncertain in light of the new dynamics. The castle ends the tale on a changed note.

After release Canterville Castle

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:41

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The Canterville Ghost Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Canterville Ghost

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