The iconic house from the 1982 horror film Poltergeist is now available for public rental, offering fans a chance to experience a piece of cinematic history. Nestled in Simi Valley, north of Thousand Oaks and Malibu, the house spans an impressive 16,000 square feet and features four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. The property was purchased by Rachel Powers in October 2024 for $1.28 million and has undergone renovations costing approximately $165,000 to recreate its film set aesthetic.
Guests can book their stay through platforms like AirBnB, VRBO, and Futurestay. The property includes a large swimming pool, a circular jacuzzi, and a spacious backyard, along with a three-car garage and a lush lawn adorned with trees. The dining room, which connects to an updated kitchen, retains much of its original charm, appealing to fans of the film.
Shortly after Powers took ownership, the house was featured on the season 29 premiere of the show Ghost Adventures in April 2025. During the investigation, the team reported experiencing paranormal phenomena, including the discovery of a Cabbage Patch Doll that belonged to Heather O’Rourke, who portrayed Carol Anne Freeling in the film. Powers explained the investigative methods used, stating, “They used a combination of devices, including an ITC, spirit box, digital voice recorders, Polaroid cameras, Ovilus, cameras, night vision, thermal imaging, motion sensors, EMF meters, and trigger objects like Heather O’Rourke’s Cabbage Patch doll.”
The team captured electronic communications, reported unexpected object movements, cold spots, flickering lights, and unusual activity around an old television set. The episode delved into the filming history and the actors involved, while also exploring the infamous “Poltergeist Curse,” a term that refers to the tragic events impacting several individuals associated with the films.
The story of the curse includes the tragic death of Dominique Dunne, who played Dana Freeling. She was murdered by her ex-boyfriend just months after the film’s release in October 1982. Additionally, Heather O’Rourke died from septic shock at the age of 12 in February 1988, just four months before the release of Poltergeist III. Actor Julian Beck, who portrayed the villainous Reverend Henry Kane in Poltergeist II: The Other Side, also passed away shortly after filming concluded in 1985.
The original Poltergeist was produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, and it tells the story of the Freeling family, whose idyllic suburban life is disrupted by malevolent spirits. The film became the eighth highest-grossing movie of 1982 and is regarded as a classic within the supernatural horror genre.
For fans of Poltergeist, renting the house offers a unique opportunity to engage with the film’s legacy while potentially encountering a bit of its haunting history.
