The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was released in the US on 20 January 1966.
As The Andy Griffith Show was ending its 1965 season, Don Knotts asked Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum (writers on the series) to write a screenplay for him. Andy Griffith suggested revisiting the 1963 episode "Haunted House," and provided input into the screenplay (although he received no credit), along with Knotts. Knotts also recommended director Alan Rafkin (who he'd worked with on The Andy Griffith Show). A number of actors in the film had also appeared on Andy Griffith, including Burt Mustin (who played Judd Fletcher), Reta Shaw (2 episodes), Hal Smith (who played Otis Campbell), Hope Summers (who played Clara Edwards), and Lurene Tuttle (2 episodes).
Despite mixed reviews, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was popular at the box office.
