Questions
Who made Paranormal Activity?
Oren Peli wrote, directed, photographed, and edited the film himself. It was his feature directorial debut.
When did the movie come out?
It premiered at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 14, 2007, then got a wide U.S. theatrical release on October 16, 2009.
How much did it cost to make?
Reportedly just $15,000, which makes it one of the most profitable films in cinema history.
How much money did it make?
It grossed about $194.2 million worldwide, roughly $107.9 million domestic and $85.4 million international.
Who are Katie and Micah?
Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat played fictionalized versions of themselves, using their own first names for the couple.
Is it true the actors were barely paid?
Reportedly, Featherston and Sloat were each initially paid only $500 for the film.
How fast was it filmed?
Peli shot the entire movie in about seven days inside a private home in Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego.
Did the actors work from a script?
Not a traditional one. They improvised their dialogue from story outlines, a method known as retroscripting.
How did Steven Spielberg get involved?
Spielberg saw the film and championed it, cutting a deal with producer Jason Blum and Oren Peli that helped launch its wide release.
Is there more than one ending?
Yes. The original Screamfest version had Katie kill herself with a knife, but that ending was scrapped and two new endings were shot, with the theatrical version using visual effects.
How did fans help get it into theaters?
On his website, Peli invited internet users to “demand” screenings by voting on Eventful, reportedly the first time a major studio used the service to virally market a film.
What happens with the Ouija board?
Micah brings home a Ouija board against Katie’s wishes, and while the couple is out, the camera records the planchette moving by itself before the board spontaneously catches fire.
How long is the movie?
The film runs about 86 minutes.
Did it become a franchise?
Yes. Seven sequels and prequels followed, along with parodies, comics, video games, and stage adaptations through 2024.
What older horror hit is it compared to?
It is often compared to The Blair Witch Project (1999), another found-footage film, which it surpassed in profitability by proportion.
