Ghost Dad

Ghost Dad centres on Elliot Hopper, a widowed father of three who is consumed by his work and keeps postponing time with his children. He is on the verge of a business deal he believes will secure his family's finances when a taxi accident leaves him dead, though his spirit lingers. Granted only a short window before he must move on, Elliot tries to settle his affairs and provide for his children from beyond, enlisting the help of a paranormal researcher and, eventually, his own kids.

The film was directed by Sidney Poitier, arriving a decade after Stir Crazy and eight years after Hanky Panky in his work behind the camera. Bill Cosby plays Elliot, with Kimberly Russell as his eldest daughter Diane, Denise Nicholas, Ian Bannen, Christine Ebersole and Barry Corbin among the supporting cast. Phil Alden Robinson, Brent Maddock and S.S. Wilson wrote the screenplay, and Terence Nelson produced.

Released in June 1990, the film runs 84 minutes and blends comedy with family fantasy. Made for about 30 million dollars, it returned roughly 25 million worldwide. Audiences were unenthusiastic: on IMDb it holds 4.4/10 from around 8,800 votes, and on TMDB 5/10 from 228 votes, while the critics' rating of 3.1/10 from 32 reviews sits well below even those modest audience scores.