Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Poltergeist II: The Other Side was released on May 23rd, 1986. Filming locations include Altadena, Chatsworth, Encino and Red Rock Canyon State Park, Ca. and Chinle, Az. Every member of the Freeling family returned with the exception of Dominique Dunne who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend on November 4th, 1982, five months to the day Poltergeist was released into theaters. Julian Beck masterfully played the malevolent Reverend Henry Kane, one of the creepiest portrayals in horror movie history in my opinion. And he did so while battling stomach cancer. He passed away on September 14th, 1985, roughly eight months prior to the films theatrical release, so he was never able to see his work on the big screen. H.R. Giger, best known as the designer of the aliens and look of the Alien franchise, was involved with the design of some of the creatures for the film, most notably the "vomit creature". Noble Craig, a triple amputee due to his time while serving in the Vietnam War, played the creature. Aside from Poltergeist II, he also had parts in other 80's films like Big Trouble in Little China, The Blob, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5 and Bride of Re-Animator. Jerry Goldsmith, who did the score for the original Poltergeist, returned to deliver another solid score for the sequel. The films first DVD release came on August 26th, 2003 as a double feature alongside Poltergeist III.

Opening - Route 7, Chinle, Az. 86503

(Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Spider Rock)

Canyon de Chelly National Monument was established on April 1st, 1931 as a unit of the National Park Service. Located in northeastern Arizona, it is within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation and lies in the Four Corners region. The monument covers 83,840 acres and encompasses the floors and rims of the three major canyons: de Chelly, de Muerto and Monument. These canyons were cut by streams with headwaters in the Chuska Mountains just to the east of the monument. None of the land is federally owned, rather it's entirely owned  by the Navajo Tribal Trust of the Navajo Nation. It's the only National Park Service that is owned and cooperatively managed in this manner. Access to the canyon floor is restricted, and visitors are allowed to travel in the canyons only when accompanied by a park ranger or an authorized Navajo guide. The only exception to this rule is the White House Ruin Trail. The parks distinctive geologic feature, Spider Rock, is a sandstone spire that rises 750 feet from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. From personally visiting this location I can say that Spider Rock is quite a site to see and I recommend it to fans of the film as well as nature lovers alike.

2011

All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.

Former site of Freeling house - Celtic St. and Variel Ave. Chatsworth, Ca. 91311

This is a completely different location from the house in the original film. The spot used is at the very eastern end of Celtic St. and the very northern end of Variel Ave. The entire neighborhood was relatively new during the time of filming, as it was constructed until sometime after 1980.

2012

2023

Gramma Jess's house - 1589 Homewood Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001

The 2,766 foot house was built in 1913. It had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It burnt down in the 2025 Eaton Fire.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2011.

2020

First encounter with Kane - 17200 Ventura Blvd. Encino, Ca. 91316

(Encino Town Center)

The strip mall was constructed sometime between 1972 and 1977. It's been remodeled considerably over the years. During the time of filming it was known as the Town and Country Mall but in 1993 it's name was changed to the Encino Town Center.

2015

Sweat lodge - Off* State Route 14, Ca.

(Red Rock Canyon State Park)

Red Rock Canyon State Park was established in 1968. It consists of 27,000 acres. A number of productions have taken place there over the years. Some of which include Beneath the Planet of the Apes, The Car, Jurassic Park, The Mummy (1932) and Westworld (1973). To reach the sweat lodge location, park in the Red Cliffs parking area, on the east side of State Route 14. From there, hike the path that runs northeast along Iron Canyon, toward Nightmare Gulch. After about half a mile you'll reach the recognizable rock formation, which should be on your right.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2021.