'Cursed' movie is scarier due to the fact actor was dying in real life during filming

When Poltergeist was released back in 1982, it was an instant success and quickly became a horror classic.

The film, which was produced by Steven Spielberg, follows the Freelings family, whose life is turned upside down when their California home is stalked and terrorised by a group of ghosts who take a particular interest in their young daughter, Carol Anne.

Its success resulted in two sequels, released in 1986 and 1988, as well as a 2015 remake.

But, far more chilling than the franchise's jumpscares is the creepy 'curse' that surrounded the original trilogy, including the fact that Poltergeist 2's villain barely made it through the film's production.

Julian Beck played the terrifying Reverend Kane in the franchise's second instalment.

Reverend Kane is the human form of the entity known as 'The Beast,' which almost stole Carol Anne away from her family.

The talented actor turned the character into a hypnotic figure so scary that the first time young actress Heather O'Rourke (Carol Anne) saw him on set, she burst into tears.

But, there was a sad truth behind the Reverend's gaunt appearance and sunken eyes.

Beck had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1983, and was still battling the illness during Poltergeist 2's production.

His skeletal appearance was due to the cancer eating away at his body and things worsened greatly during filming.

He passed away September 14, 1985, eight months before the film's theatrical release.

MGM

But Beck wasn't the only cast member to die either during or shortly after filming.

Heather O'Rouke, who played central character Carol Anne Freeling, died during an operation to correct a bowel obstruction in 1988. It was later believed that she had a congenital intestinal abnormality.

The actress that played her older sister, Dana, met an equally tragic and unforeseen fate.

Dominique Dunne separated from her partner, John Sweeney, in 1982. In November of that year, Sweeney choked her until she was unconscious and left her to die in the driveway of her Hollywood home.

And, Will Sampson, who played Native American shaman Taylor in the second film, died after undergoing a heart-lung transplant in 1987.

MGM

On top of this, a number of weird goings-on happened on set, leading film fans to believe that the trilogy was 'cursed.'

JoBeth Williams, who played mum Diane Freeling in the first two films, claimed that Spielberg used real human skeletons as props in order to save money as they were cheaper than plastic recreations at the time. However, this has never been verified.

And, the aforementioned Will Sampson, who was a real-life medicine man, is said to have performed an authentic exorcism after shooting wrapped up one night.

Curse or no curse, that's hell of a lot of creepy events.