Casper Returns to Theaters for 30th Anniversary Re-Release This Halloween Season

1995 family classic Casper returns for a limited nationwide re-release.

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment are bringing back a fan-favorite ghost just in time for spooky season. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Casper, the beloved 1995 family blockbuster will return to theaters nationwide beginning October 3 and running through Halloween night, October 31, 2025.

Directed by Brad Silberling (A Series of Unfortunate Events, City of Angels), Casper stars Bill Pullman as Dr. James Harvey, a ghost therapist, and Christina Ricci as his teenage daughter Kat. The duo moves into the haunted Whipstaff Manor to help its ghostly residents cross over, only to discover a friendly young spirit named Casper—voiced by Malachi Pearson—who’s just looking for a friend.

A Star-Studded Cast and Comedic Chaos

The film boasts a loaded cast of comedy heavyweights. Three-time Emmy winner Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond, Finding Nemo) voices Fatso, one of Casper’s mischievous ghostly uncles, alongside Stretch (Joe Nipote) and Stinkie (Joe Alasky). Cathy Moriarty, an Oscar nominee for Raging Bull, plays the villainous Carrigan Crittenden, while Monty Python legend Eric Idle adds his signature absurdity to the mix.

Additional comedic support includes Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Saturday Night Live’s Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci, and Tales from the Crypt‘s Crypt Keeper, voiced by John Kassir. Fans can also spot uncredited cameos from Hollywood icons Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood, and Dan Aykroyd.

Behind the Scenes: Music, Writing, and Legacy

Casper’s haunting yet heartfelt score is composed by legendary composer James Horner, the Oscar-winning genius behind films such as Titanic, Avatar, and Field of Dreams. The film was written by animation veterans Sherri Stoner (Tiny Toon Adventures) and Deanna Oliver (Animaniacs), based on the classic characters created by Joseph Oriolo.

Produced by blockbuster veteran Colin Wilson (The Lost World: Jurassic Park, The Meg, Amistad), the film blends family-friendly laughs, heartfelt emotion, and cutting-edge (for its time) CGI to reintroduce the iconic “Friendly Ghost” to a whole new generation.

A Timeless Ghost Story

Since first appearing in theatrical cartoons in 1945 and later in comic books starting in 1952, Casper the Friendly Ghost has remained a cherished figure in pop culture. This 30th anniversary re-release invites audiences old and new to experience the film’s mix of comedy, nostalgia, and ghostly charm on the big screen once again.

For those who grew up with Casper or are introducing it to kids for the first time, this October’s theatrical run is the perfect way to revisit Whipstaff Manor and its unforgettable ghostly guests.

Advance tickets are available now.

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