Object Movement: Doors, Curtains and Objects Caught Moving

Objects that move on their own, like doors swinging, curtains shifting, toys rolling or a toilet seat lifting, are some of the most striking things anyone can catch on camera. Paranormal researchers often link this kind of activity to poltergeists. Below, we explain what poltergeist activity is, the kinds of object movement people report, the ordinary explanations to rule out first, and the object movement LiveSciFi cameras have recorded, so you can watch each moment and decide for yourself.

What Is Poltergeist Activity?

"Poltergeist" comes from the German for "noisy ghost." It describes activity like objects moving or being thrown, knocking, doors slamming and lights turning on and off. Some researchers think poltergeist activity is caused by a spirit; others have suggested it's linked to a living person, often someone under stress, sometimes called recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis. Either way, it's one of the most reported, and most hoaxed, types of haunting.

Types of Object Movement Reported

• Doors opening, closing or slamming.
• Curtains and fabric moving with no draft.
• Toys and dolls shifting position, or their eyes, hands or mouths appearing to move.
• Small objects sliding, spinning or rolling, such as balls, bells and chairs.
• Thrown objects reported by witnesses at a location.

What Can Make Objects Move?

There's no scientific proof that spirits can move objects. Before calling movement paranormal, investigators should rule out:

• Drafts from windows, vents and air conditioning, which move curtains, doors and light objects.
• Sloping floors in old buildings, which let balls roll and doors swing.
• Vibration from traffic, footsteps and machinery.
• Video compression and low light, which can make still objects appear to shift.
• Hoaxes, including fishing line and people off camera.

We check for drafts and slopes on camera, compare views from more than one camera when we can, and say plainly when a window or a gradient explains what we saw.

Object Movement Caught on Camera

• A toilet seat lifts and falls at the Haunted Hill House (1:24:40): from The Demon Files Seven Demons investigation. Watch the moment
• A doll moves at the Sallie House (49:59): the team reacts to the doll moving. Watch the moment
• A bell slowly spinning at Whispers Estate (3:44:31): the team considers a strong draft. Watch the moment
• A door and a window explanation (17:17): also at Whispers Estate. Watch the moment
• A ball and a slope check (2:24:42): the team compares a moving ball with an earlier floor-slope test at the Haunted Hill House. Watch the moment
• Did the doll's mouth move? (19:46): a viewer report from our demon doll investigation. Watch the moment
• A curtain moving on Camera 1 (23:02): from overnight CCTV at the ZoZo Demon House. Watch the moment

Play any of these moments in the player above, or browse every object movement moment in the archive below.

Object Movement FAQ

What does it mean when things move on their own?

Most often, it's a draft, an uneven floor or vibration. If it keeps happening and you can't find a cause, set up a camera and note the times. Some people believe it's a sign of a spirit or poltergeist.

What is the difference between a ghost and a poltergeist?

A ghost is usually described as the spirit of a person, sometimes seen or heard. A poltergeist is defined by physical disturbances, like noises and moving objects, and some researchers think it's caused by a living person rather than a spirit.

How do you catch object movement on camera?

Use a fixed camera on a tripod, place objects on a marked surface (a "trigger object" with its outline drawn around it), record continuously, and check for drafts and slopes before you start.

Related reading: Paranormal Evidence Archive · EMF and REM-Pod · Whispers Estate: History and Hauntings · Haunted Hill House: History and Hauntings