Casper Returns to Theaters for 30th Anniversary

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment announced today that they will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved family blockbuster, Casper, with a nationwide rerelease beginning October 3 and running through Halloween, October 31, 2025.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Brad Silberling (A Series of Unfortunate Events, City of Angels), the film stars Bill Pullman (Independence Day and Equalizer franchises) as Dr. Harvey, a ghost therapist, and two-time Emmy nominee Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets, The Addams Family films) as his daughter Kat.

When they move into a drafty old mansion so that Dr. Harvey can exorcise the home’s otherworldly inhabitants, they meet a friendly but lonely young ghost named Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson), who’s just looking for a friend, and his outrageous uncles Stretch (Joe Nipote), Stinkie (Joe Alasky), and Fatso (two-time Emmy winner Brad Garrett; Everybody Loves Raymond, Finding Nemo).

The film stars a powerhouse comedic cast including Garrett, Academy Award nominee Cathy Moriarty (Raging Bull), Monty Python icon Eric Idle, and Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), as well as appearances from vintage TV comedy characters including Saturday Night Live‘s Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novello) and The Crypt Keeper (voiced by John Kassir).

The film also features uncredited cameo appearances from screen legends Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson, Dan Aykroyd, and Clint Eastwood.

Two-time Academy Award winner James Horner, the composer of Titanic, Field of Dreams, and Avatar, created Casper’s dazzling score.

Casper was produced by blockbuster filmmaker Colin Wilson, producer of The Meg, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Troy, Amistad, and Munich, and was written by Daytime Emmy winner Sherri Stoner (Tiny Toon Adventures) and Daytime Emmy nominee Deanna Oliver (Animaniacs), based on characters created by Joseph Oriolo.

The character of Casper the Friendly Ghost was created in 1945 and appeared in theatrical cartoons and comic books beginning in 1952, becoming a beloved pop culture icon and friend to generations of children. Advance tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.