16 Haunted House Movies That Will Truly Terrify You

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The Conjuring (2013)

This supernatural thriller tells the chilling story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators, as they help a family plagued by disturbing events in their farmhouse. The film’s success lies in its ability to build tension and immerse the audience in an atmosphere of dread.

The house, which is located in Rhode Island, is the center of many terrifying occurrences, including unexplained noises and violent entities. The movie uses an old-school approach to horror, relying on suspense and practical effects to create a deeply unsettling experience.

The Haunting (1963)

Based on Shirley Jackson’s novel, The Haunting remains one of the scariest haunted house films to date. It centers on a group of people who stay in the infamous Hill House, a mansion with a dark and violent history, to study its paranormal activity.

What sets this film apart is its psychological tension and eerie atmosphere, heightened by minimal special effects. The fear comes not from gore, but from the anticipation and unsettling presence that builds as the characters experience the house’s malevolent force.

Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist is a classic that blends family drama with supernatural horror. The Freeling family moves into a new suburban home, only to discover that their house is haunted by vengeful spirits and eerie phenomena.

The film explores the terror of a child being taken by these spirits, leaving the family to fight back with their own strength. The combination of frightening imagery and the familial bond makes this one of the most memorable haunted house movies ever made.

The Others (2001)

In The Others, a woman named Grace lives with her two children in a dark, isolated mansion, and they are convinced the house is haunted. The chilling atmosphere is amplified by the shadows, mysterious figures, and unexplained noises that plague their home.

As the plot unfolds, secrets about the house and its inhabitants are revealed in a shocking twist. The film’s slow burn approach and clever use of suspense ensure that it remains haunting long after the credits roll.

Crimson Peak (2015)

Crimson Peak is a gothic horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro, filled with lavishly designed haunted house imagery. The story follows Edith, a young woman who marries a mysterious man and moves to his crumbling mansion, where ghostly apparitions begin to haunt her.

The film combines rich visuals with a sense of foreboding, where the house itself becomes a character, haunting the protagonist with its decaying beauty. The combination of the eerie mansion and the ghosts tied to its history creates an unforgettable experience.

House on Haunted Hill (1959)

In House on Haunted Hill, a group of strangers is invited to a mysterious party in a mansion where a millionaire offers them a reward if they can survive a night in the house. What they do not know is that the house is filled with sinister secrets and dangerous spirits.

The film uses its setting to great effect, drawing the audience into a maze of dark corners and eerie sounds. With its mix of campy thrills and genuine moments of terror, it remains a classic haunted house film.

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

In this supernatural horror film, a group of people investigates an old mansion known for its dark and mysterious history, including reports of violent deaths and paranormal activity. The house seems to have a malevolent force that preys on its inhabitants.

What makes The Legend of Hell House effective is its gradual buildup of suspense and its psychological tension. The house itself acts as a force that influences and manipulates the characters, making for a truly unnerving viewing experience.

The Innocents (1961)

Based on Henry James’ novella The Turn of the Screw, The Innocents is a chilling tale of a governess who is hired to care for two children in a secluded mansion. She soon becomes convinced that the house is haunted by ghosts, leading to a terrifying battle of wills.

The film’s disturbing atmosphere, paired with its intricate psychological tension, makes it a standout in the haunted house genre. The gradual descent into madness of the protagonist and the ambiguity of what is real heighten the sense of fear.

The Amityville Horror (1979)

The Amityville Horror is based on the infamous true story of the Lutz family, who move into a house in Long Island, only to discover that it is haunted by dark and violent spirits. The paranormal occurrences quickly escalate, putting the family’s safety at risk.

The film’s disturbing atmosphere and sense of unease build as the house becomes more malevolent. The fear that seeps into every room, from the eerie voices to the haunting visions, keeps viewers hooked until the final moments.

Sinister (2012)

Sinister follows a true-crime writer, Ellison, who moves his family into a new home in order to research a gruesome case. As he explores the house’s past, he discovers disturbing footage of a family’s murder, which leads him to uncover a dark presence lurking in the house.

The movie’s chilling atmosphere is strengthened by its creepy visual elements, including home videos of the murders, which create a sense of dread that grows stronger with each discovery. Sinister stands out for its use of psychological terror, making it a modern haunted house classic.

The Witch (2015)

Set in 1630s New England, The Witch tells the story of a family that faces dark forces in their isolated farmstead. After being exiled from a Puritan village, the family becomes haunted by a mysterious presence, which manifests itself in the nearby woods.

The slow-burn horror in this film is driven by a sense of paranoia and isolation. As the family begins to unravel, their descent into madness and fear becomes almost palpable, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of unease.

The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook focuses on a widow named Amelia who is raising her troubled son, Samuel. When a mysterious book appears in their home, they are drawn into a terrifying story involving a dark entity known as the Babadook, which soon manifests in their lives.

What makes this film so frightening is how it blends psychological horror with supernatural elements. The house itself becomes a psychological battleground where fear, grief, and guilt become palpable forces that threaten the characters’ sanity.

The Orphanage (2007)

In The Orphanage, a woman named Laura returns to the abandoned orphanage where she grew up, hoping to turn it into a home for disabled children. Soon after moving in, her son goes missing, and she begins to encounter strange and disturbing events in the house.

The haunting in this film is rooted in emotional depth, with the house’s tragic history playing a pivotal role in the terrifying events. The film’s slow build and heartbreaking twist leave a lasting impression, making it both a moving and chilling experience.

The Old Dark House (1932)

One of the earliest haunted house films, The Old Dark House centers on a group of strangers who are stranded in a creepy mansion during a storm. As they spend the night, they quickly realize the house’s eccentric inhabitants hide dark secrets.

The film combines elements of both comedy and horror, with a tone that fluctuates between lighthearted and deeply eerie. The house itself is full of creepy nooks and corridors, amplifying the tension as the night progresses.

The Skeleton Key (2005)

In The Skeleton Key, a hospice nurse named Caroline takes a job caring for an elderly man in a remote mansion in New Orleans. As she uncovers the secrets of the house, she becomes entangled in the dark magic that has trapped its previous inhabitants.

The film’s eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements combine to create a sense of impending doom. As Caroline digs deeper into the mansion’s history, the horrifying truths about its past emerge, leading to a shocking and terrifying climax.

House of Dark Shadows (1970)

House of Dark Shadows is based on the popular soap opera Dark Shadows and tells the story of Barnabas Collins, a vampire who returns to his family’s estate after being freed from a coffin. As he settles into the mansion, he encounters both supernatural and personal dangers.

The film’s Gothic atmosphere, filled with eerie landscapes and mysterious characters, creates an unsettling experience. The house serves as the perfect backdrop for this tale of horror, as its dark corners hide centuries-old secrets that come to life in terrifying ways.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.