The Haunted School (film)

The Haunted School is a 2007 Japanese horror film directed by Takashi Makino. The film is part of the Gakkō no Kaidan (School Ghost Stories) series, also known as Haunted School. It follows a group of elementary school students and their teachers as they investigate paranormal occurrences within their school.

The plot typically centers around a new student or teacher arriving at the school and discovering its haunted past. Common themes include vengeful spirits of former students or staff, unexplained phenomena like moving objects or spectral apparitions, and the children's attempts to uncover the truth behind the hauntings.

The film is characterized by its use of traditional Japanese ghost stories and folklore, adapted for a younger audience. While it aims to be frightening, it generally avoids excessive gore, focusing instead on building suspense and atmosphere. The target demographic is primarily children and families.

The Haunted School series as a whole, including this particular film, has contributed to the popularization of J-horror tropes and themes within the context of school settings. The films have been successful in Japan and have gained a cult following internationally among fans of the genre.