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We Have a Ghost (2023) movie poster

Spoiler-Free Summary

We Have a Ghost (2023) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 127 min · English
Echo score 66
JustWatch #27,718
Directed by
Christopher B. Landon
Starring
Anthony Mackie, David Harbour, Jennifer Coolidge, Niles Fitch, Tig Notaro, Steve Coulter

A suburban family’s life is upended when they discover Ernest, a playful ghost, living in their new home. Kevin, the young son, and Ernest become unlikely friends and quickly gain social media attention. However, their newfound fame leads them on a quest to uncover Ernest's mysterious past, revealing a surprising connection to a dangerous CIA conspiracy and putting them all in peril.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What it is about
  3. 3 Is it worth watching?
  4. 4 After you watch
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like We Have a Ghost
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch We Have a Ghost (2023)

Where can you watch We Have a Ghost? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Spoiler-free summary · safe to read

What Is We Have a Ghost About? (No Spoilers)

The plot of We Have a Ghost (2023) without spoilers: what it is about, who it follows and where it takes place, told without the twists or the ending. Enough to decide whether it is your next watch, not enough to ruin it.

In a quiet suburb, the Presley family trades their cramped city apartment for a seemingly ordinary house that comes with creaking floors, attic whispers, and a price tag that feels too good to be true. Frank Presley arrives eager to rebuild his relationship with his youngest son while Kevin—a shy, guitar‑loving teen—searches for a place where he can finally belong. The house already houses a secret, though no one expects it: a playful spirit named Ernest that makes its presence known on the very first night. Their first encounter is more mischievous than terrifying, setting a tone that blends gentle humor with an undercurrent of otherworldly curiosity.

The unlikely friendship between Kevin and Ernest quickly becomes the family’s most surprising—and most public—venture. When an accidental video captures their spectral guest, the Presleys find themselves thrust into a whirlwind of viral memes, quirky interviews, and a sudden surge of social‑media attention. Frank, ever the entrepreneurial father, sees the phenomenon as a chance to turn the haunting into a brand, while Kevin is more interested in helping his new friend piece together lost memories. The house, once a blank canvas, now hums with the clatter of comment sections, livestreams, and the uneasy balance between genuine connection and the lure of online fame.

Yet beneath the light‑hearted antics lies an enigmatic mystery that hints at far‑reaching forces. Whispers about Ernest’s past suggest a tangled web that might involve shadowy government projects and secrets buried decades ago. As the Presleys navigate the excitement of their newfound notoriety, they also feel the subtle pressure of something larger watching from the sidelines. The film balances warm family moments with a mischievous, slightly eerie atmosphere, inviting the audience to wonder what stories linger in the attic and whether some hauntings are more complex than they first appear.

Last updated: August 09, 2025 at 20:54

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What to expect

Is We Have a Ghost Worth Watching? What It Feels Like

Is it dark, sad, slow, intense or confusing? The mood of We Have a Ghost (2023) in a few tags, without a word about how it ends. Each tag opens a list of movies that feel the same.

After you watch

Seen We Have a Ghost? Read the Ending Explained

Once you have watched We Have a Ghost (2023), come back for the full story: the plot summary with spoilers, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and what happens at the end, explained.

Movie threads

More Movies Like We Have a Ghost, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes We Have a Ghost tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies like We Have a Ghost with Whimsical Conspiracy Thrills

Playful, supernatural adventures collide with high-stakes, real-world dangers. If you enjoyed the mix of playful supernatural fun and tense conspiracy in We Have a Ghost, you'll like these movies. They combine family-friendly adventure with high-stakes thrills, featuring unlikely heroes uncovering secrets while dodging dangerous pursuers.

  • playful
  • tense
  • adventurous
  • mysterious
  • hopeful
  • investigative
  • Tone: hopeful, tense, lighthearted
  • Pacing: fast, adventurous
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves ordinary characters stumbling upon an extraordinary secret—often a friendly supernatural entity or a hidden world. This discovery quickly escalates from personal wonder to public notoriety or official attention, forcing the protagonists on a fast-paced quest to uncover a deeper truth while evading powerful, threatening forces.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique tonal balance: the hopeful, whimsical core of a supernatural friendship is consistently challenged by the gritty, tense mechanics of a conspiracy plot. This creates a specific 'MEDIUM' intensity experience that is both fun and thrilling.

Movies like We Have a Ghost about Mystery-Solving Friendships

An unexpected bond sparks a quest to solve a haunting personal mystery. Fans of the heartfelt friendship and investigative quest in We Have a Ghost will appreciate these similar stories. They focus on unlikely duos or groups who team up to solve a personal mystery, blending coming-of-age themes with elements of adventure and supernatural discovery.

  • hopeful
  • mysterious
  • bittersweet
  • investigative
  • heartfelt
  • adventurous
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, quest-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The emotional journey follows an isolated or misunderstood character—literal or figurative—who forms a deep connection with an unlikely ally. This friendship gives them the courage and support to investigate a central mystery from their past. The resolution typically provides closure but is tinged with sadness, as the act of solving the mystery often means saying goodbye.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on the central narrative engine of a 'found family' bond fueling a personal investigation. They share a 'BITTERSWEET' ending feel and a 'MODERATE' emotional weight, focusing on themes of redemption, memory, and the power of connection.

If you liked this

Movies Like We Have a Ghost

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Every angle

We Have a Ghost (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about We Have a Ghost in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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