One’s home should be the safest place, but horror has a way of making even the most benign things into vehicles of fear. Imagine moving into a new house with excitement, only to discover that it is haunted by malevolent spirits or that there’s someone (or something) lurking inside. Picture yourself lying in bed, hearing strange music playing in an empty hallway by an unseen figure, hearing strange knocks on your door and noticing strange, vengeful beings in your home. It is indeed unsettling, and that’s the power of horror. The spooky house trope is a timeless horror device that continues to captivate and chill audiences, and filmmakers have harnessed its eerie allure to create countless unforgettable and bone-chilling films.
Insidious and The Conjuring aren’t the only horror films that explore the terrifying concept of having an unwanted guest or ghostly visitors in one’s home. Series like The Watcher and The Haunting of Bly Manor have successfully rejuvenated these eerie tales in the current millennium, leaving viewers restless in their own abode. But horror fans crave this eeriness — the more spine-chilling, the better the entertainment. After seeing Insidious: The Red Door, which could be the last film in the franchise, here are other creepy tales to remind you that your home may be the last place you'd want to find yourself in.
15 The Watcher (2022-Present)
The Watcher is a creepy tale about 657 Boulevard, a magnificent house nestled in a fictionalized New Jersey. Based on a true story, the plot follows as a couple and their kids move into this dream house, only to uncover the eerie nature of the neighborhood. To their distress, they start receiving cryptic letters from an anonymous sender ,who identifies themselves as "The Watcher." As the plot unfolds, the family not only grapples with the disturbing enigma behind the unsettling letters and eerie occurrences that drive them to the brink, but the series also keeps audience engrossed and anxious on their behalf.
Throughout the first season, Theodora, Dean, and his wife engage in an intense investigation, drawing up numerous theories about the identity of "The Watcher." Yet, no one knows who The Watcher is.The series culminates in a mysterious note, leaving viewers hoping for a second season, which would unravel the unanswered questions.
14 The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
Only a handful of horror movies or series manage to receive high scores on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. However, the remarkable horror series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, infused with gothic romance and created by Mike Flanagan, received an impressive score of over 80% on the site. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the sheer brilliance of the show. For those enamored with haunted house stories, here’s the plot of this one.
Serving as a follow-up to The Haunting of Hill House and set in the 1980s, the series follows a young American woman, Dani Calyton, who arrives at a haunted house to take care of the orphaned kids. Unbeknownst to her, the home is haunted by a malevolent ghost seeking reveng,e and the children are well aware of its presence. While presenting a haunting tale, this well-crafted spooky house tale does not fail to weave in the emotional tale of love and loss.
13 The Conjuring (2013)
This stands as the first film in the Conjuring franchise, which has since spawned seven more installments, and there is even an upcoming TV series based on its haunted house premise. Directed by James Wan and inspired by the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring follows the experiences of the Perron family, who move into a secluded farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. Shortly after moving in, they begin to notice strange and unsettling occurrences in this old and seemingly idyllic farmhouse.
Although the haunted house premise is a common theme, Wan delivers a refreshing storyline and a nail-biting experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie pays homage to classic horror films like The Exorcist and Poltergeist, using well-known horror conventions while still managing to be terrifying. With its compelling setting, camerawork, acting, directing, and haunting musical score, this film has been praised as one of the best horror movies in recent years, avoiding excessive jump scares and focusing on true horror elements.
12 Insidious (2010)
Wan tries his hand at yet another haunted house story, leading to the birth of one of the most successful additions in the horror genre known as Insidious. The story revolves around Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Renai (Rose Byrne), who move into a new home with their three children: Dalton (Ty Simpkins), Foster (Andrew Astor), and baby Cali. Shortly after settling into the new house, strange and unexplainable events begin to occur.
Since The Conjuring and Insidious are from the same director and share similar premise, there’s always that argument about which franchise reigns supreme. Well, while The Conjuring has earned more critical acclaim, some viewers believe Insidious is even scarier. However, opinions differ, but regardless of the verdict, both tales stand as exceptional examples of haunted house stories.
11 Paranormal Activity (2007)
This found footage supernatural horror film is directed by Oren Peli and follows the haunting experiences of a young couple, Katie and Micah, and their attempt to document these unexplained events occurring in their suburban home. Right from the beginning of the scene which explains that the footage about to be shown was found at the scene of tragic event, viewers probably knew they were in for the most terrifying horror tale that lingers long even after the movie ends.
For fans of gory films centered around serial killers chasing after a group of young teens, Paranormal Activity may not be their ideal horror film because this ventures into a different realm of fear. This slow-burn horror skillfully weaves suspense and tension, like classic ghost stories, creeping under the viewers' skin and staying with them throughout. But as the story unfolds, it takes an unexpected turn and goes towards a different direction unlike typical ghost stories.
10 Crimson Peak (2015)
Crimson Peak is a gothic tale filled with twists and turns as it explores the themes of love, betrayal, lingering consequences of past actions and family secrets. Set in the late-19th Century and directed by Guillermo del Toro, the story revolves around a young aspiring author, Edith Cushing, who gets married to a charming and mysterious British aristocrat known as Thomas Sharpe. After their marriage, they move into their new home called the Allerdale Hall, where Edith is confronted with eerie occurrences and disturbing visions of the past.
In this spine-chilling tale, del Toro proves again that he is a master at creating fantasy storytelling and weaving really terrifying and original stories. The film's stunning visuals have garnered widespread praise, becoming a standout feature of the experience. Yet, some viewers lament the lack of ample mystery and thrills to fully captivate them. Despite its imperfections, Crimson Peak remains an entertaining watch, even for those who are not avid horror fans.
9 The Pact (2012)
The Pact is a gripping and suspenseful horror film that follows the story of two sisters, Nicole and Annie, who return to their childhood home to settle their mother's affairs. When Nicole goes missing, Annie takes it upon herself to uncover the sinister threats lurking within their mother's house. Though the movie begins at a slower pace, it gradually unravels into a mysterious and terrifying horror tale.
Unlike films with cheap jump scares, The Pact delivers genuine chills, gradually revealing clues that allow viewers to piece together the haunting mystery. Despite its low-budget status and lack of groundbreaking element, it presents a well-crafted horror film bolstered by great performances from its talented cast. Unlike many other low-budget horrors, it manages to avoid the cheesiness often associated with such productions.
8 Winchester (2018)
This supernatural horror presents a fictionalized account of the legend of Sarah Winchester, and her Mysterious Winchester Mansion in San Jose, California. This labyrinthine structure, with its endless rooms, hallways, and staircases seemingly leading nowhere, stands as one of the spookiest houses in horror history. Under constant construction day and night, the mansion is known as the House of Spirits.
Winchester follows as Dr. Price visits Sarah in her peculiar abode, only to encounter the same paranormal activities and malevolent spirits that Sarah believes are haunting her. Despite the fascinating premise and the inspiration drawn from the legendary tale, many viewers feel it falls short of being memorable or intriguing. Nevertheless, the ensemble cast, costume, set, atmosphere and occasional tensions and spooky parts compensate for the disappointing plot.
7 The Amityville Horror (1979)
The Amityville Horror begins with a chilling prologue, revealing that a year before the main events, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family at their home in Amityville, New York. And from there, it delves into the strange and unsettling events that begin to occur when the Lutz family move into this morbid house. It is based on the 1977 novel of the same name by Jay Anson, which claims to be a true story, though it has faced controversies and skepticism regarding its authenticity.
Despite the uncertainties, the mere possibility of it being a true story adds an extra layer of terror to the narrative. Regardless of whether the story is true or not, The Amityville Horror remains a classic in the horror genre, leaving a profound impact on its viewers. It stands as a chilling and memorable haunted house tale.
6 Boo (2005)
While Boo does not take place in home, it is equally chilling as other haunted house tales. Set in a spooky hospital on Halloween night, it follows a group of six college friends who decide to spend their Halloween night inside an abandoned Hospital as part of a hazing ritual for one of their friends, only to encounter strange noises, apparitions, and malevolent spirits seeking revenge.
Although it captures the elements of spooky horror and suspense that supernatural fans seek, some may find it lacking in execution. While there are exceptional horror films that leave viewers both amazed and terrified, Boo unfortunately falls into the category that lacks a lasting impact. Well, it may not the best out there but there are still those who would enjoy this creepy horror film.
5 The Others (2001)
The Others is yet another a masterful and atmospheric horror film that keeps the audience guessing until the very end with its well-crafted plot. It relies on psychological tension and subtle scares rather than violence to deliver its scares. Set in 1945 on the island of Jersey, it revolves around a woman named Grace Stewart who moves into a secluded mansion with her two photosensitive children. However, things take a dark turn when these kids claim to see and hear mysterious beings wandering about causing Grace to grow increasingly unsettled about their new home.
As the film progresses, it builds towards a shocking and suspenseful ending that catches everyone off guards, earning it critical acclaim as a standout in the horror genre. Beyond being a thriller, the convincing performances of Nicole Kidman and the children add a human touch, enhancing the dramatic aspect of the story.
4 Dream House (2011)
In this unsettling psychological thriller, an aspiring writer, Will, his wife, Libby, and their two daughters move to a suburban neighborhood to spend more time with his family. However, shortly after moving in, they learn about the dark past of the house and their dream house suddenly becomes their worst nightmare. Like many haunted house films, Will becomes engrossed in investigating the home's past, captivating and terrifying the audience with each discovery. As his obsessions grows with getting to the root of the haunted house mystery, so does the audience’s intrigue.
Although the film excels as a compelling family drama, it occasionally falls short in delivering the eerie atmosphere that viewers often anticipate in spooky house tales. Nonetheless, Dream House remains an original and well-crafted story that effectively works as a psychological thriller.
3 The Enfield Haunting (2015)
This British supernatural drama miniseries is based on the real-life Enfield Poltergeist case that occurred in the late 1970s in Enfield, England. Comprising three episodes, the series follows the Hodgson family as they witness unexplainable occurrences within their home, attracting the attention of investigators and the media. While The Enfield Haunting is a dramatized version of the events and may have taken some creative liberties, the actual Enfield Poltergeist case remains one of the most renowned and controversial paranormal incidents in British history.
Paranormal cases based on real life events are usually the chilliest and this one manages to stay with its viewers long after the film ends, leaving them pondering whether their own homes might be harboring malevolent spirits or if the knocks and strange sounds they hear could be spirits trying to make their presence known.
2 The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Released in 2018 on Netflix and created by Mike Flanagan, this horror series presents one of the most talked-about horror tales in recent times, and received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Loosely based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House follows the story of the Crain family and their traumatic experiences at Hill House, a haunted mansion where they once lived as kids.
The story is told through a dual timeline, alternating between the past and the presence, intensifying the suspense and brilliance of the story. It expertly weaves drama, psychological elements, strong themes of trauma and grief as well as horror to deliver a chilling and emotional resonant story. Who knew a horror film could do more than only scare viewers, but could also make them care about this family and feel a connection to these troubled characters?
1 The Changeling (1980)
The Changeling is a haunting and atmospheric horror film that follows a music professor John Russell who moves into a historical mansion to start afresh after losing his wife and daughter in a tragic incident. As John settles into the mansion, he hears unexplained noises, doors slam shut on their own, and he starts to experience eerie visions and encounters with a ghostly presence.
Even after more than 40 years, The Changeling remains one of the greatest horror films with the legendary George C. Scott taking the lead. Of course, for those seeking blood-soaked spectacles, CGI effects, and jump scares, this may be boring or uneventful to them. However, those who revel in creepy mansions and murder mysteries that fill them with incessant dread and chills, heightened by haunting soundtracks, this would be the perfect film to watch after Insidious: The Red Door.