13 of the Spookiest Movie Houses

We’ve heard this story before. An unsuspecting family moves into a seemingly idyllic home only to discover that things are not what they seem. Pictures begin falling off the walls, shadowy figures lurk in the corners, doors slam, and all hell breaks loose. With the release of Dream House creeping right around the corner, we felt it was only appropriate to list thirteen of the scariest houses from the films that send a chill down our spines.

The Innocents(1961)
Based on Henry James’ novella The Turn of the Screw, this British psychological thriller utilizes music, direction, and lighting to achieve its chilling atmosphere. The movie’s plot follows Miss Giddens, a governess hired to look after the children of the Bly House, a showy Gothic estate. The film builds up from a slow start and becomes more intriguing as the mystery unfolds.

The Haunting(1963)
Paranormal investigators spend several nights in the Hill House mansion searching for proof of supernatural existence in this 1963 horror film. Nell, a member of the investigative team, becomes possessed by the forces in the house and if frightened but surprisingly enjoys the ghostly attention. A remake of the film was released in 1999, starring Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The Amityville Horror(1979)
Based on one of the most famous haunted houses in the world, The Amityville Horror takes place in a truly terrifying home. The ghost story began in 1974, after Butch DeFeo murdered his entire family one evening in Amityville, New York. In the following year, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the house with their three children and Labrador Retriever mix, Harry. It didn’t take long(only 28 days) for the Lutz’s to evacuate the house, claiming to have been terrorized by paranormal phenomena while living there, including strange odors, cold spots, fly infestations, and demonic images. Though the actual events that took place in the Lutz’s house remain under scrutiny, their story inspired Hollywood and has been adapted into numerous films.

The Shining(1980)
“Here’s Johnny!” Although this classic horror film takes places in a hotel, Jack Nicholson’s unsettling performance, the bloody elevator, and creepy girls in the hallway are enough to land Stephen King’s adaptation on the list. Jack Torrence (Nicholson) ignores several horror movie red flags and moves his family into an empty, isolated hotel after accepting the job of winter caretaker. Like so many other haunted locations, the hotel happens to be constructed upon ancient Indian burial grounds and the supernatural insanity ensues.

The Changeling(1980)
After losing his family in a tragic accident, Dr. John Russell moves across country to live in an old Victorian-era mansion in an attempt to get back on his feet. Unfortunately for Russell, more treachery lies ahead when he discovers the ghost of a murdered child living in his new home. Based on events writer Russell Hunter claimed to have experienced while living in the Henry Treat Rogers Mansion in Colorado, the film is packed with thrills and an exemplary performance from Oscar-winner George C. Scott.

Poltergeist(1982)
Set in the quiet suburbs of Cuesta Verde, California, the plot of Poltergeist centers around the lives of the Freeling family and the paranormal activity that begins infiltrating their home. Carol Anne, the Freeling’s youngest daughter, awakens one night to the static sounds of the family’s television set and begins communicating with the undead. The story becomes increasingly bizarre when glasses break spontaneously and a gnarled backyard tree grabs one of the children through the bedroom window. If the film doesn’t scare you, the controversy surrounding Poltergeist will surely provoke nightmares. Actresses and actors, Heather O’Rourke, Will Sampson, Julian Beck, and Dominique Dunne have all passed away, sparking the rumor that the cast of the film has been cursed.

Beetlejuice(1988)
Not all haunted house movies have to be scary. Just watch Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, a quirky film about a dead couple enlist the help of a  “bio-exorcist” in order to frighten away the family that has moved into their home. Filled with humor, mayhem, and creativity, Beetlejuice is the perfect film for those who want to get into the Halloween spirit and still be able to sleep at night.

House on Haunted Hill(1999)
Filmed at the historic Ennis House in Los Feliz, California, this 1959 American B movie horror film shows that some people will do just about anything for cash. An eccentric millionaire, Fredrick Loren, and his fourth wife Annabelle invite five guests to a “Haunted House” party. Guests that survive the night will receive $10,000 each. Filled with murder, ghouls, and a disturbing ending, you might be worried that the spirits “will come for you.”

The Others(2001)
One of the tensest ghost movies to be released in the 21st Century, the twist and the turns of The Others will keep you at the edge of your seat. Nicole Kidman stars as Grace, a mother left to raise her children alone after her husband dies in action during World War II. Grace’s children suffer from hyper-photosensitivity, an allergy to sunlight, and must remain hidden away in the family’s dark, English mansion. When Grace hires three new servants to help around the house, the story becomes increasingly eerie with an ending that is sure to shock you.

The Grudge(2004)
This 2004 American remake of the Japanese film Ju-On:The Grudge  tells the story of Karen Davis, and American nurse who moves to Tokyo and encounters an evil spirit that possesses its victims. When Karen innocently agrees to cover for a nurse that has failed to show up to work, she becomes exposed to The Grudge, a curse that works in a cyclical fashion, creating an endless chain of horror.

The Skeleton Key(2005)
Filmed at the Felicity Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana The Skeleton Key reminds us that curiosity is generally a bad thing when it comes to horror movies. Hospice nurse, Caroline, is assigned to care for a dying man at a Terrebonne Parish plantation home. When Caroline receives a skeleton key that opens all the rooms in the house and makes several startling discoveries in the attic, she becomes entangled in the mystery of the house’s dark past.

Paranormal Activity(2007)
This 2007 indie flick proved that you don’t need big budget and movie stars to scare the pants off of filmgoers. Filmed in director Oren Pell’s own San Diego home, the film is presented in a “found footage” style from a couple’s video camera as they attempt to photograph the spirit that is haunting them. Doors slam, lights flicker, and a photo gets smashed. No blood or gore necessary here, just pure suspense and clever filmmaking.

1408(2007)
1408 follows the classic formula that made The Shining so successful. Based on a Stephen King novel about a haunted hotel room, 1408 tells the story of a skeptical s author’s visit to The Dolphin hotel. The manager warns him that no one lasts more than an hour in the room but Mike Enslin, played by John Cusack, is up for the challenge. It doesn’t take long before things go awry as Mike desperately tries to escape the psychological torture that is room 1408.