Horror movies based on true events

  1. “The Amityville Horror” (1979): Kicking off our journey is the infamous tale of the Lutz family, who experienced paranormal horrors in their new home—a residence with a dark history. “The Amityville Horror” explores the chilling events that allegedly occurred in Amityville, New York, adding a supernatural twist to a real-life tragedy.
  2. “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974): Inspired by the gruesome crimes of Ed Gein, this iconic horror film takes a twisted approach to reality. While not a direct retelling, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” draws on the true horrors of Gein’s actions, weaving a narrative that still haunts the genre.
  3. “The Conjuring” Series (2013, 2016, 2021): Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life paranormal investigators, are at the heart of “The Conjuring” series. The films draw from the Warrens’ case files, including the haunting experiences of the Perron and Hodgson families. The blend of supernatural scares and true stories adds an eerie authenticity to these chilling tales.
  4. “Zodiac” (2007): Venturing into the realm of true crime horror, “Zodiac” explores the unsolved case of the Zodiac Killer. The film meticulously reconstructs the investigation into the real-life serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
  5. “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” (2005): Inspired by the tragic story of Anneliese Michel, this film recounts the harrowing events leading to a young woman’s death during an exorcism. Blurring the lines between medical and supernatural explanations, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is a haunting exploration of faith and terror.
  6. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991): While a work of fiction, this psychological thriller draws inspiration from real-life criminals, including aspects of the relationship between FBI agent John E. Douglas and notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The character Hannibal Lecter also has connections to a Mexican doctor convicted of murdering and dismembering his gay lover.
  7. “The Girl Next Door” (2007): Based on the novel by Jack Ketchum, this film is a harrowing portrayal of the true story of Sylvia Likens. It explores the horrific abuse and torture she endured at the hands of her caregiver and the caregiver’s children in the 1960s.
  8. “Wolf Creek” (2005): This Australian horror film is loosely based on the real-life crimes of backpacker murderer Ivan Milat. While the events in the movie are fictionalized, the character of Mick Taylor is inspired by Milat’s heinous actions.
  9. “Open Water” (2003): Inspired by the true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, who were left behind by their scuba diving group in the Great Barrier Reef, this film explores the terrifying experience of being stranded in open water. The fate of the Lonergans remains a tragic mystery.
  10. “The Haunting in Connecticut” (2009): This supernatural horror film claims to be based on the experiences of the Snedeker family, who rented a former funeral home in Southington, Connecticut. They reported disturbing paranormal activities, which became the basis for the film.
  11. “The Strangers” (2008): Inspired by the Manson Family Tate murders, this home invasion thriller follows a couple terrorized by masked assailants. The film captures the unsettling randomness and brutality reminiscent of the real-life tragedy.
  12. “The Hills Have Eyes” (2006): A remake of Wes Craven’s 1977 film, this horror story is inspired by the legend of Alexander “Sawney” Bean, a 15th-century Scottish cannibal who reportedly led a clan of cave-dwelling, flesh-eating savages.
  13. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984): While the premise of Freddy Krueger haunting dreams is fictional, writer-director Wes Craven drew inspiration from real-life stories of mysterious deaths occurring during nightmares. The film taps into the primal fear of the unknown lurking in our dreams.
  14. “The Mothman Prophecies” (2002): Based on the book by John A. Keel, this film explores reported sightings of the Mothman, a creature allegedly seen in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the late 1960s. The movie weaves a narrative around the eerie events leading up to the collapse of the Silver Bridge.
  15. “The Serpent and the Rainbow” (1988): Loosely based on the non-fiction book by Wade Davis, this horror film delves into the Haitian voodoo culture and the practices associated with creating zombies. While dramatized, it draws on Davis’s exploration of the zombification phenomenon.
  16. “The Conjuring 2” (2016): Building on the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, this sequel focuses on the Enfield Poltergeist case in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s. While the film takes creative liberties, it draws inspiration from documented reports of haunting phenomena.
  17. “An American Crime” (2007): Based on the true story of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens, this harrowing film delves into the horrifying abuse she endured in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski in 1965. The movie sheds light on the tragic real-life events that shook the nation.
  18. “The Girl with All the Gifts” (2016): This post-apocalyptic horror film is based on the novel by M.R. Carey. While not a true story, it explores themes of fungal infection and the consequences of scientific experimentation, adding a biological twist to the horror genre.
  19. “Veronica” (2017): Claiming to be based on a police report from Madrid in the early ’90s, “Veronica” tells the story of a teenage girl who attempts to use a Ouija board, leading to disturbing supernatural occurrences. The film capitalizes on the notion that it’s based on real events, adding an extra layer of dread.
  20. “The Possession” (2012): Inspired by the haunted dybbuk box, this film tells the story of a family dealing with supernatural forces after acquiring an antique box with a malicious spirit. While the specifics are fictionalized, the dybbuk box is a real item with a reputation for being cursed.

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