Ghosts have featured in hundreds of movies. “The Frighteners”(1996), directed by Peter Jackson who went on to make Lord of the Rings, boasted the latest special effects and included a grim reaper-like murderous ghost.

If you’re after a seriously scary ghost movie, Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu”(1998) and Takashi Shimizu’s “Ju On”(2003) are excellent shockers and genuinely unnerving. Both films caught the eye of Hollywood and were remade as “The Ring” and “The Grudge” respectively.

Some movies approach the paranormal in a remarkable way. “Sundel Bolong”(1981) is an Indonesian movie which centres on a ghost with a huge hole in her chest, who chases people in a slapstick fashion. “Sinnui Yauwan”(1987) combined the paranormal with martial arts and is a classic of Chinese cinema. The movie’s plot revolves around a tax collector who is the next victim of a ghost that takes souls. He falls in love with the ghost and has to fight an evil spirit to free her.

Ghosts are also popular in animated movies. Miyazaki’s “Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi”(2001) or Spirited Away, tells the story of a 10 year old girl who wanders into a world of ghosts and witches. The movie is both magical and spooky at the same time.