:Casper (film)

{{Infobox film

| name = Casper

| image = Casper poster.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Brad Silberling

| producer = Colin Wilson
Steven Spielberg

| writer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| based_on = {{based on|Casper the Friendly Ghost|Seymour Reit
Joe Oriolo
Vincent E. Valentine II}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = James Horner

| cinematography = Dean Cundey

| editing = Michael Kahn

| studio = {{Plainlist|

}}

| distributor = Universal Pictures

| released = {{film date|1995|5|26}}

| runtime = 101 minutes{{Cite web|date=September 13, 2023|title=Casper (12A)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/casper-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zndq0odc|website=BBFC}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $55 million{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=0112642 |title=Casper |access-date=December 22, 2022}}

| gross = $288 million

}}

Casper is a 1995 American supernatural fantasy comedy film directed by Brad Silberling, in his feature film directorial debut, based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost created by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo. The film stars Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, and Eric Idle, with voice talents of Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, Brad Garrett, and the film introduction of Malachi Pearson in the title role. The film follows the title character who peacefully haunts a mansion called Whipstaff Manor in Friendship, Maine, meets and befriends a teenage girl named Kat Harvey (Ricci), the daughter of Dr. James Harvey (Pullman), a paranormal therapist who is hired to move into Whipstaff in order to rid the mansion of its spectral inhabitants.

The film makes extensive use of computer-generated imagery to create the ghosts, and it is the first feature film to have a fully CGI character in the lead role. It goes for a darker interpretation of Casper in comparison to the previous comics, cartoons and theatrical shorts, notably providing the character a tragic backstory that addresses his death.

Casper was released in cinemas on May 26, 1995, by Universal Pictures. It received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised the film for its faithfulness to its source material (specifically the title character's portrayal), visual effects, music score, and performances, but criticized its dark tone and humor. The film earned $288 million on a $55 million budget, and spawned two direct-to-video indirect prequels, Casper: A Spirited Beginning (1997) and Casper Meets Wendy (1998) as follow-ups to the film and released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and an animated television spin-off, The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper.

Plot

Following the death of her father, neurotic and spoiled heiress Carrigan Crittenden discovers she has only been left Whipstaff Manor, located in Friendship, Maine, in the will while his vast wealth has gone to several charities. Carrigan and her lawyer and close friend Dibs find a map within the will's papers that tell of an alleged treasure hidden inside the manor, but find the property haunted by a friendly ghost named Casper and his poltergeist uncles the Ghostly Trio. They unsuccessfully attempt to force the ghosts out by way of paranormal experts and a demolitions team.

A lonely Casper watches a news report about paranormal therapist James Harvey and is instantly smitten with his teenage daughter, Kat, prompting Casper to inspire Carrigan in summoning Harvey to Whipstaff. Kat dislikes her father's reputation and obsession with contacting the ghost of his late wife, Amelia. The Harveys move into Whipstaff, but Casper's attempt to befriend them fails when his uncles try to torment and scare them away, which eventually fails.

Casper gains the Harveys' trust when he serves them breakfast, and follows Kat to school, where she becomes popular when her class learns she is living in Whipstaff, and agrees to host their Halloween party there. Her classmate Amber plots with her friend, Vic, to humiliate Kat during the party. Harvey attempts therapy sessions with the Ghostly Trio, who reveal they know Amelia; in exchange for convincing Carrigan to leave them alone, they promise to get Harvey a meeting with his wife.

Kat learns Casper has no memory of his life, and restores his old playroom in the attic to remind him. Casper recognizes an old wooden sled his father bought him, and remembers playing outside until he caught a severe cold and died of pneumonia, becoming a ghost to keep his father company. A newspaper article reveals that Casper's father was declared legally insane after he built a machine, the Lazarus, which he claimed could bring the dead back to life. Casper and Kat venture to the basement and find the Lazarus. Carrigan and Dibs sneak inside and steal the formula that powers the machine, plotting to use it to grant themselves immortality. However, they attempt to kill each other to test the theory and retrieve the treasure that they think is in the basement's locked vault. This culminates in Carrigan attempting to run Dibs over with her Range Rover, but instead crashing into a cliff-side tree; upon exiting her car, Carrigan falls to her death and becomes a ghost.

Harvey becomes depressed after the trio pulls a prank on him, prompting them to take him out on the town. They plan on killing him to make themselves a quartet, but have a change of heart after the drunken therapist declares he will tell Carrigan off so they can stay in their home. However, Harvey accidentally falls to his death.

In the laboratory, the ghostly Carrigan confronts Casper and Kat, stealing what she believes to be the treasure from the vault and launching Dibs out a window when he tries to double-cross her. As Carrigan demands to be brought back to life, Casper and Kat remind her that Casper's treasure was her unfinished business and by getting it completed her unfinished business, causing her to be ejected into the afterlife. The treasure is revealed to be Casper's prized baseball, signed by Duke Snider; the map was part of a game Casper played with his father. Harvey, now a ghost and still in his drunken state, returns with Casper's uncles; after bringing him back to his senses, Kat's despair over this prompts Casper to sacrifice his one chance to return to life, restoring Harvey instead.

The Halloween party kicks off upstairs; Amber and Vic's prank is thwarted by the Ghostly Trio, and they flee in terror. A boy dances with Kat, and is revealed to be Casper, temporarily granted physical form by Amelia, who had become an angel after her death. Amelia meets with Harvey, explaining that the Ghostly Trio kept their promise to get him a meeting with her, and tells him that she was so content with her family while alive that she has no unfinished business and thus did not become a ghost. Amelia departs as the clock chimes ten, promising Harvey that they and Kat will be together again one day; after kissing Kat, Casper transforms back into a ghost, then inadvertently scares Kat's guests away. Kat is nonetheless impressed with the party, and the Ghostly Trio play their nephew's theme for them to dance to.

Cast

Malachi Pearson as the voice of Casper McFadden, a lonely ghost who was originally a 12-year-old boy who died of pneumonia. He spends most of his afterlife in Whipstaff Manor, dealing with his ghostly ghoulish uncles' antics while hoping to find a friend. He finds one in Kat, while also developing a crush on her.
Devon Sawa portrays Casper in his human form
Christina Ricci as Kathleen "Kat" Harvey, Dr. Harvey's 13-year-old daughter and Casper's love interest who has lost her mother and wants to make a friend.
Bill Pullman as Dr. James Harvey, Kat's widowed father; a ghost therapist interacting with the 'living impaired', helping them to cross into the next dimension while hoping to find his deceased wife.
Cathy Moriarty as Catherine "Carrigan" Crittenden, a glamorous, treacherous, and greedy woman upset about her late father only leaving Whipstaff Manor to her in his will. She discovers that the house contains a treasure, though unknown to her is only Casper's baseball. She hires Dr. Harvey to exorcise the ghosts in order to get it. Carrigan ultimately dies and becomes a ghost, before being ejected into the afterlife for all eternity.
Eric Idle as Paul "Dibs" Plutzker, Carrigan's attorney.
Joe Nipote as the voice of Stretch, the hot-tempered leader of the Ghostly Trio who bonds with Dr. Harvey. He is the eldest member of the trio.
Brad Garrett as the voice of Fatso. He is usually the outlet for Stretch's anger, and he is known for being obese.
Joe Alaskey as the voice of Stinkie. The quietest of the three, he is known for his odor, particularly his halitosis.
Garette Ratliff Henson as Vic DePhillippi, Kat's crush and Amber's friend.
Jessica Wesson as Amber Whitmire, Kat's rival and Vic's friend.
Amy Brenneman as Amelia Harvey, James' deceased wife and Kat's mother.
Ben Stein as Rugg, Carrigan's lawyer.
Chauncey Leopardi and Spencer Vrooman as Nicky and Andreas, two preteen boys who explore Whipstaff in the opening scene.
Wesley Thompson as Mr. Curtis, Kat, Amber and Vic's form teacher.
Michael McCarty as a bar drunk.

=Cameos=

Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci, called in by Carrigan to attempt an exorcism.
Dan Aykroyd as Ray Stantz, called in by Carrigan to exterminate the Ghostly Trio. (Uncredited)
Fred Rogers (archive footage)
Terry Murphy
Clint Eastwood as himself
Rodney Dangerfield as himself
Mel Gibson as himself
John Kassir as The Crypt Keeper (voice)
Brock Winkless performed the puppetry for the Crypt Keeper in the film{{cite news |first=Cheryl |last=Cheng |title=N. Brock Winkless IV, the Puppeteer of Chucky in 'Child's Play,' Dies at 56 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brock-winkless-chucky-puppeteer-dead-812328 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2015-07-30 |access-date=2015-08-23 |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209014920/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brock-winkless-chucky-puppeteer-dead-812328 |url-status=live}}
Jess Harnell as the voice of Casper's Arnold Schwarzenegger impression

Production

Executive producer Steven Spielberg was planning a film adaptation of Casper the Friendly Ghost. He saw an episode of the television series Brooklyn Bridge directed by Brad Silberling and saw potential in this work, recruiting Silberling for directing Casper.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/16/features.review |title=The family that grieves together... |last=Ojumu |first=Akin |access-date=July 16, 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=February 16, 2003 |archive-date=April 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402210008/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/16/features.review |url-status=live}} Alex Proyas had initially signed on as director, but left due to creative differences with the screenplay.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/proyas-vanishes-from-casper-pic-116109/|title=Proyas vanishes from 'Casper' pic|date=28 November 1993|work=Variety|access-date=19 September 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107022554/https://variety.com/1993/film/news/proyas-vanishes-from-casper-pic-116109/|url-status=live}} In an interview with Comic Book Resources, he claimed that he was intrigued with doing a children's fantasy, and wanted to do a more dark film, akin to The Wizard of Oz.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/talking-with-director-alex-proyas/|title=- Talking with Director Alex Proyas|last=Khoury|first=Jorge|date=26 October 2008|work=Comic Book Resources|access-date=19 September 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930160906/https://www.cbr.com/talking-with-director-alex-proyas/|url-status=live}} J. J. Abrams did an uncredited rewrite of the script.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/06/09/super-8-steven-spielberg-jj-abrams/|title=Super 8: Steven Spielberg meets J.J. Abrams|last=Jensen|first=Jeff|date=9 June 2011|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=12 February 2017}} The screenplay gave a backstory of Casper being the ghost of Casper McFadden, a boy who died of pneumonia at 12, though some of the comics, particularly in the 1960s, portrayed him as born a ghost to ghost parents.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2017/may/29/physics-casper-friendly-ghost-cartoon-twitter |title=The physics of Casper the Friendly Ghost: why can't he open the door? |access-date=August 14, 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=May 29, 2017 |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815031147/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2017/may/29/physics-casper-friendly-ghost-cartoon-twitter |url-status=live}}

File:Camden Maine October 2021 001.jpg.]]

Principal photography began on January 27 and ended on June 8, 1994. Although some location footage was filmed in Camden, Maine, Whipstaff Manor was largely a studio set.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Dhruv |date=2022-07-24 |title=Where Was Casper (1995) Filmed? |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/where-was-casper-1995-filmed/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=The Cinemaholic |publisher=Gomsy Media LLC}} Extensive use of computer-generated imagery was used to create the ghosts, and it was the first feature film to have a fully CGI character in a leading role.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/visualeffects16.html|title=Visual and Special Effects Film Milestones|access-date=2010-12-27|work=AMC Filmsite|publisher=Tim Dirks|archive-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210061406/http://www.filmsite.org/visualeffects16.html|url-status=live}} One 90-second scene with Casper and Ricci took eight months to create.{{Cite web |last=Wharton |first=David |date=May 26, 1995 |title=Magic Behind 'Casper': Universal Studios Hollywood opens an exhibit today that demystifies some of the film's ghostly special effects. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-26-va-6438-story.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117200709/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-26-va-6438-story.html |archive-date=2021-01-17 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Los Angeles Times}} In the mirror scene, Dr. Harvey was also supposed to transform into Spielberg. According to director Silberling, the cameo was filmed, but was cut for pacing reasons. Spielberg was relieved, feeling that he is not much of an actor himself and was nervous in front of the camera.Cindy Pearlman (1995-06-21). "Ghost Busters". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2014-12-02.

Two people have claimed to be the character Casper's sole creator, Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo, but neither had retained any rights to the character, and Oriolo died years before production on the film began. However, the filmmakers gave Reit a substantial honorarium.{{cite magazine |last=Murray |first=Will |date=November 2020 |url=https://retrofan.org/ |title=Who Created Casper the Friendly Ghost? |magazine=RetroFan |issue=11 |page=50}}

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed and conducted by award-winning composer James Horner, who had worked on a number of previous films for Amblin Entertainment, including An American Tail and The Land Before Time. The track "One Last Wish" would go on to accompany Universal Pictures' "Logos Through Time" Montage, as part of their centennial anniversary.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/E98iTbFqRuM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120301190042/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E98iTbFqRuM&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E98iTbFqRuM | title = New Universal Logo - Logos Through Time - 100th Anniversary (2012) HD | website=YouTube| date = March 2012 }}{{cbignore}} The track "Descent into Lazarus" was used in a trailer for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, another film by Universal Pictures and has music by James Horner. The soundtrack was remastered and reissued as a commemorative twenty-fifth anniversary edition by La-La Land Records on August 4, 2020. The soundtrack was originally released however on April 29, 1995, almost five weeks before the film.{{Cite web|title=CASPER: 25th ANNIVERSARY REMASTERED LIMITED EDITION (2-CD SET))|url=https://lalalandrecords.com/casper-25th-anniversary-remastered-limited-edition-2-cd-set/|access-date=2021-04-16|website=La-La Land Records|language=en|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417020714/https://lalalandrecords.com/casper-25th-anniversary-remastered-limited-edition-2-cd-set/|url-status=live}}

{{Music ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

|rev2 = Filmtracks

|rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/casper.html|title=Filmtracks: Casper (James Horner)|access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817081804/https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/casper.html|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = No Sign of Ghosts

| extra1 =

| length1 = 7:31

| note1 =

| title2 = Carrigan and Dibbs

| extra2 =

| length2 = 2:40

| title3 = Strangers in the House

| extra3 =

| length3 = 2:36

| title4 = First Haunting/The Swordfight

| extra4 =

| length4 = 5:01

| title5 = March of the Exorcists

| extra5 =

| length5 = 2:45

| title6 = Lighthouse—Casper & Kat

| extra6 =

| length6 = 4:56

| title7 = Casper Makes Breakfast

| extra7 =

| length7 = 3:41

| title8 = Fond Memories

| extra8 =

| length8 = 3:38

| title9 = 'Dying' to Be a Ghost

| extra9 =

| length9 = 7:02

| title10 = Casper's Lullaby

| extra10 =

| length10 = 5:39

| title11 = Descent to Lazarus

| extra11 =

| length11 = 10:20

| title12 = One Last Wish

| extra12 =

| length12 = 4:19

| title13 = Remember Me This Way

| extra13 = Jordan Hill

| length13 = 4:28

| title14 = Casper the Friendly Ghost

| extra14 = Little Richard

| length14 = 2:10

| title15 = The Uncles Swing/End Credits

| extra15 =

| length15 = 6:23

| total_length = 1:14:09

}}

Reception

=Box office=

Casper opened at #1 over the Memorial Day weekend, grossing $16.8 million over its first three days from 2,714 theaters, averaging $6,205 per theater. Over four days it grossed $22.1 million, averaging $8,140 per theater.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-31-ca-7852-story.html|title=Weekend Box Office: 'Casper' Has a $22-Million Holiday|website=Los Angeles Times |date=May 31, 1995 |access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520174408/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-31-ca-7852-story.html|url-status=live}} It stayed at #1 in its second weekend, grossing another $13.4 million, and boosting its 10-day cume to $38.9 million. It played solidly all through the summer, ending up with a final gross of $100.4 million in North America, and an additional $187.6 million internationally, for a total worldwide gross of $288 million, far exceeding its $55 million budget and becoming a commercial success.

=Critical response=

Casper has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} professional reviews on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. Its critical consensus reads: "A meandering, mindless family movie that frequently resorts to special effects and transparent sappiness".{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Casper |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}} Metacritic (which uses a weighted average) assigned Casper a score of 49 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{Cite Metacritic |title=Casper |id=casper |type=movie |access-date=December 13, 2021}} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "A" on scale of A to F.{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CASPER (1995) A |work= CinemaScore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20}}

Time Out London described it as "an intimate and likeable film".{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/film/68929.html |title=Casper Review. Movie Reviews - Film - Time Out London |publisher=Timeout.com |access-date=2012-11-24 |archive-date=March 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311022407/http://www.timeout.com/film/68929.html |url-status=live}} Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, calling it a "technical achievement, it's impressive, and entertaining. And there is even a little winsome philosophy".{{cite news |date=May 26, 1995 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Casper movie review & film summary (1995) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/casper-1995 |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008052737/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/casper-1995 |url-status=live}} Robert Firsching of AllMovie gave the film his above average star rating while praising the film for its visual effects.{{Cite web|last=Firsching|first=Robert|title=Review by Robert Firsching|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/casper-v134728/review|access-date=17 October 2020|website=AllMovie|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015214649/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/casper-v134728/review|url-status=live}}

The CGI effects, which were considered cutting edge at the time, and the performances of the main cast were praised, especially considering that, in the scenes where the Harveys interact with the ghosts, Pullman and Ricci were actually acting either with nothing or with stand-in maquettes used as animators' references.

In his 2015 Movie Guide, Leonard Maltin gave the film a "BOMB" rating, objecting to the portrayal of Casper as a deceased child rather than a ghost.{{cite book |last=Maltin |first=Leonard |author-link=Leonard Maltin |title=Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide |title-link=Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide |date=2014 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0698183612}}

=Accolades=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"\| Award ! scope="col"\| Date of ceremony ! scope="col"\| Category ! scope="col"\| Recipient(s) ! scope="col"\| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"\| {{Abbr\|Ref.\|References}}
Kids' Choice Awards \| May 11, 1996 \| Favorite Movie \| Casper \| {{nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite news\|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-03-28-9603280216-story.html\|title=Poll Position\|newspaper=Chicago Tribune\|last=Mangan\|first=Jennifer\|date=March 28, 1996\|access-date=February 28, 2024}}
rowspan="2"\| Saturn Awards \| rowspan="2"\| June 25, 1996 \| Best Performance by a Younger Actor \| Christina Ricci \| {{won}} \| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" \| {{Cite web\|url=http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_awards_past.html\|title=Saturn Awards\|access-date=February 28, 2024\|website=SaturnAwards.org\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030411145339/http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_awards_past.html\|archive-date=April 11, 2003\|url-status=dead}}
Best Fantasy Film \| Casper \| {{nom}}
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards \| 1996 \| Worst Picture \| Universal Pictures \| {{nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web \|url=http://www.thestinkers.com/1995.html \|title=The Stinkers 1995 Ballot \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000711153615/http://thestinkers.com/1995.html \|work=Stinkers Bad Movie Awards \|archive-date=11 July 2000 \|url-status=dead}}
rowspan="3"\| Young Artist Awards \| rowspan="3"\| 1996 \| Best Performance by a Young Actor: Voiceover Role \| Malachi Pearson \| {{won}} \| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" \| {{cite web\|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm\|title=17th Youth In Film Awards\|work=YoungArtistAwards.org\|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060320/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm\|archivedate=April 2, 2011\|accessdate=February 28, 2024}}
Best Family Feature: Musical or Comedy \| \| {{nom}}
Best Young Leading Actress: Feature Film \| Christina Ricci \| {{nom}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col"| Award

! scope="col"| Date of ceremony

! scope="col"| Category

! scope="col"| Recipient(s)

! scope="col"| Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

Kids' Choice Awards

| May 11, 1996

| Favorite Movie

| Casper

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-03-28-9603280216-story.html|title=Poll Position|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|last=Mangan|first=Jennifer|date=March 28, 1996|access-date=February 28, 2024}}

rowspan="2"| Saturn Awards

| rowspan="2"| June 25, 1996

| Best Performance by a Younger Actor

| Christina Ricci

| {{won}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | {{Cite web|url=http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_awards_past.html|title=Saturn Awards|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=SaturnAwards.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030411145339/http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_awards_past.html|archive-date=April 11, 2003|url-status=dead}}

Best Fantasy Film

| Casper

| {{nom}}

Stinkers Bad Movie Awards

| 1996

| Worst Picture

| Universal Pictures

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |url=http://www.thestinkers.com/1995.html |title=The Stinkers 1995 Ballot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000711153615/http://thestinkers.com/1995.html |work=Stinkers Bad Movie Awards |archive-date=11 July 2000 |url-status=dead}}

rowspan="3"| Young Artist Awards

| rowspan="3"| 1996

| Best Performance by a Young Actor: Voiceover Role

| Malachi Pearson

| {{won}}

| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" | {{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm|title=17th Youth In Film Awards|work=YoungArtistAwards.org|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060320/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm|archivedate=April 2, 2011|accessdate=February 28, 2024}}

Best Family Feature: Musical or Comedy

| {{nom}}

Best Young Leading Actress: Feature Film

| Christina Ricci

| {{nom}}

Home media

Casper debuted on VHS and LaserDisc on October 10, 1995.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122256897/batman-the-cure-flip-flopped-in/ |title='Batman', 'The Cure' flip-flopped in Japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404195546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122256897/batman-the-cure-flip-flopped-in/ |date=September 29, 1995 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |page=61 |publisher=El Paso Times |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}} A DVD release then premiered on September 23, 2003.{{cite web|last=Patrizio|first=Andy|title=Casper|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/13/casper|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 8, 2023|date=August 13, 2003|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408162304/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/13/casper|url-status=live}} A Blu-ray version was released on September 2, 2014.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Casper-Blu-ray/42304/ |title=Casper Blu-ray |access-date=2024-10-12 |via=www.blu-ray.com}}

Legacy

The success of Casper secured Silberling the job of directing the 1998 film City of Angels, a remake of Wings of Desire starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan.

=TV series=

A cartoon series, The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, was released in 1996 based on the film.{{cite web |url=http://www.enstarz.com/articles/140993/20160207/joe-alaskey-dies-voice-of-bugs-bunny-daffy-duck-tweety-passes-away-video.htm |title=Joe Alaskey Dies: Voice Of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck & Tweety Passes Away [VIDEO] |last=Cabrera |first=Maria |access-date=August 14, 2017 |work=Enstars |date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815031956/http://www.enstarz.com/articles/140993/20160207/joe-alaskey-dies-voice-of-bugs-bunny-daffy-duck-tweety-passes-away-video.htm |url-status=live}} Fatso (season 1–2), Stinkie, Stretch and Casper were all voiced by the actors from the film, while Dr. Harvey was voiced by Dan Castellaneta, and Kat by Kath Soucie.

In April 2022, a live-action series was reported to be in development at Peacock.{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2022-04-11 |title=Casper Live-Action Series in the Works at Peacock |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/casper-live-action-series-in-the-works-at-peacock-1235229950/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Variety}}

=Prequels=

With Harvey Entertainment retaining prequel rights to Casper,{{cite news|title=Direct-to-Video Family Films Are Hitting Home|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-16-fi-49283-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=4 June 2011|first=Marla|last=Matzer|date=1997-04-16|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134018/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-04-16/business/fi-49283_1_video-sales|url-status=live}} 20th Century Fox released two direct-to-video follow-ups to the film; an indirect prequel, Casper: A Spirited Beginning (1997),{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/casper-a-spirited-beginning-1117329688/ |title=Review: 'Casper, A Spirited Beginning' |last=Leydon |first=Joe |access-date=August 14, 2017 |work=Variety |date=October 1, 1997 }} and its sequel Casper Meets Wendy (1998).{{cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/190057-hilary-duffs-casper-meets-wendy-snapchat-is-the-halloween-throwback-we-all-need-photo |title=Hilary Duff's 'Casper Meets Wendy' Snapchat Is The Halloween Throwback We All Need — PHOTO |last=McGahan |first=Michelle |access-date=August 14, 2017 |work=Bustle |date=October 17, 2016 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814195821/https://www.bustle.com/articles/190057-hilary-duffs-casper-meets-wendy-snapchat-is-the-halloween-throwback-we-all-need-photo |url-status=live}}

=Cancelled sequel=

Following the release of Casper, Simon Wells co-wrote a screenplay for Casper 2, which he was set to direct. However, in July 2000, Universal Pictures cancelled the sequel due to the disappointing sales from the direct-to-video Casper films and the hesitation of Christina Ricci.{{cite magazine|last=Duke|first=Paul|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/wells-sets-time-with-wb-d-works-1117783662/|title=Wells sets 'Time' with WB, D'Works|magazine=Variety|date=July 12, 2000|access-date=November 12, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Mink|first=Sammy|url=http://www.tracking-board.com/tb-exclusive-casper-the-friendly-ghost-set-to-fly-back-into-production/|title={TB EXCLUSIVE} CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST SET TO FLY BACK INTO PRODUCTION!|publisher=The Tracking Board|date=March 10, 2014|access-date=November 12, 2018}}

=Video games=

There were several video games based on or tied-in with the film released on the major consoles of the time, such as the 3DO, Super NES, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Game Boy Color and original Game Boy. A Casper game for Sega Genesis was planned but never released.{{cite web|url=http://www.rspinc.inter.net/titles.htm|title=Titles Designed & Developed By RSP|publisher=Riedel Software Productions|date=October 16, 1997|access-date=2020-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980127072612/http://www.rspinc.inter.net/titles.htm|archive-date=1998-01-27|url-status=live}} An LCD handheld game was released for Tiger Electronics in 1995.