22 horror films based on true events and popular legends

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Exorcism sessions, serial maniacs and ghosts that hit the screens of cinemas from real life.

Horror films marked "based on real events" are of particular interest to viewers. Some shrug their shoulders, call everything a fiction or a fairy tale, others believe in the authenticity of events. The directors take advantage of this and in fact often take stories from life, although they add a lot of themselves to catch up with more horror.

Lifehacker has collected 22 horror films, the plot of which is based on real events or popular urban legends.

About exorcism

1. The exorcist

• USA, 1973.
• Horror.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.

Regan, the 12-year-old daughter of the actress, began to behave strangely. She has unreasonable seizures, and a gentle childish voice sometimes turns into a harsh male bass. Objects fly around the room, the bed shakes, people around die. There is no medical reason for Regan's behavior, nor is there a logical explanation for the events. It seems that going to church and performing an exorcism is the last chance to save a child.

"The Exorcist" of 1973 is based on the novel of the same name, which is based on a real story. At the end of the 40s, reports from anonymous sources appeared in newspapers: they wrote that they had witnessed an exorcism session on a boy under the pseudonym Roland Doe (or Robbie Mannheim). The priests conducting the ceremony claimed that the boy's bed was shaking, objects flew through the air, and the child himself spoke in an inhuman voice. The sessions were conducted in the hospital with the permission of the church, but the doctors were sure that Roland was simply mentally ill.

Now exorcism films have taken their place in the horror genre, but then the motion picture made a splash. The story of a child possessed by a demon was called the scariest movie of its time, and people fainted after watching. The film received four Golden Globes, four Saturns, and was nominated for an Oscar in 10 categories, but was awarded only two statuettes.

2. Six demons Emily Rose

• USA, 2005.
• Drama, horror.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The priest tries to prove that he is not guilty of the death of Emily, who died during the exorcism session. He recalls the events of those days in detail, telling the judge and jury about the girl's strange behavior. But doctors are sure that Emily was sick with epilepsy, and not possessed and died due to the negligence of a church minister.

Such an incident really happened in 1976. Annelise Michel died after a series of exorcisms. The girl was diagnosed with epilepsy and symptoms of mental illness, but she and her family were convinced of the demonic possession. Annelise spoke in a different voice in different languages, could not touch the crucifix and called herself the names of different demons. As a result, the priest was accused of causing death by negligence, and the parents were accused of criminal inaction. The court found everyone guilty.

3. Rite

• USA, Hungary, Italy, 2011.
• Drama, horror, mysticism.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.

Theological seminary graduate Michael Kovak has lost his faith and is going to renounce his earlier vows. But the abbot is confident that the young man needs to undergo exorcism training at the Vatican before jumping to conclusions. Michael agrees and travels to Rome, where he meets Father Lucas Trevent, an experienced exorcist.

The film starring Anthony Hopkins is based on Matt Beglio's "Rite". Based on a true story, the book tells the story of a young, disbelieving priest from the United States who went to Rome to study exorcism.

4. Deliver us from the evil one

• USA, 2014.
• Horror, mysticism, thriller.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

A skeptical New York police officer seeks help from a priest to solve mystical crimes and possibly conduct an exorcism.

The mystical thriller is based on the biographical book Beware of the night by former New York police officer Ralph Sarchi. The author talks about supernatural and demonic situations that, according to him, he had to deal with on duty.

About maniacs

1. Psycho

• USA, 1960.
• Horror, mysticism, thriller.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

The woman steals a large sum of money from the employer and escapes from the city in a hurry. She stops to spend the night in a motel owned by a young and handsome man named Norman Bates. But he is not at all what he seems.

The legendary horror film by Alfred Hitchcock is familiar not only to fans of the genre. This motion picture has become a cult and has not lost its charm these days. The prototype of the main antagonist of Norman Bates was the famous American serial killer Edward Gin. He had a cruel mother, whom, in spite of everything, he loved very much. Gin was mentally ill. He dug up old graves, taking the remains to his home, and even sewed a suit out of women's leather. Later he was accused of the brutal murder of several women, for which the declared insane maniac spent the rest of his life in a psychiatric hospital.

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

• USA, 1974.
• Horror.
• Duration: 83 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Sally, her brother and friends travel to a remote cemetery to check on their grandfather's grave: vandals are operating in Texas. At the same time, the company visits the farm and accidentally meets the neighbors. The creepy little family in the neighborhood gives goosebumps, and the fear is well founded.

The story of a maniac, nicknamed Leatherface, who kills people with a chainsaw, continued and grew into a series of eight separate films. The director of the original motion picture Tobe Hooper took the case of Edward Gin, who became the prototype for Leatherface. Yes, this is the same criminal whose image formed the basis of the character Norman Bates from "Psycho". True, Gin committed the murders in Wisconsin, not Texas.

In total, there are eight feature films about the Texas maniac Leatherface.

3. The city that was afraid of the sunset

• USA, 1976.
• Crime, drama, horror.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 1.

In a small American town at night a maniac attacks a couple of lovers. The victims managed to escape, but now the city is in a panic. Nobody is used to this, people are waiting in fear for a new attack from the killer. A few weeks later, this happens: under the same circumstances, the lovers are found dead.

The plot of the film was based on the real story of a maniac, nicknamed the Phantom, whose identity was never revealed. He operated in Texas in 1946 and sowed panic among the residents of the small town. He is credited with eight attacks, all of which took place on weekends.

4. Eaten alive

• USA, 1976.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 91 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 5.

There is an old hotel next to the Louisiana swamps. The owner of the establishment Judd has got himself an unusual pet - a crocodile, which lives behind the hotel. Guests who violate the rules do not pay a fine. They go to feed a bloodthirsty reptile.

Another Tobe Hooper's film based on the story of a real maniac. Joe Ball, nicknamed Bluebeard from South Texas, was a serial killer in the 1930s. He owned a bar that had an alligator pond. According to legend, Ball fed the corpses of victims to his pets, although this has never been proven.

5. The hills have eyes

• USA, 1977.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 89 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 4.

The Carter family travels across the country to California in a RV. They're out of luck: The Carters have an accident in the war zone. There are kilometers of desert around, and there is nowhere to wait for help. In addition to this, a family of cavemen began to hunt them.

The plot of Wes Craven's film is inspired by the story of Alexander Bean and his family, who lived in 15th century Scotland. According to legends, the Bean family and their clan were cannibal killers, although there is no reliable historical information on this matter. Nevertheless, the story is popular in British folklore.

6. From hell

• USA, 2001.
• Horror, mysticism, thriller.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

The mysterious assassin Jack the Ripper has plunged England into fear. Police Inspector Fred Abberline must find him and restore peace to the British. He tries to solve the mystery, but it's not easy. Abberline suspects the serial killer is the product of a conspiracy between the Order of Masons and the Royal House.

The maniac, nicknamed Jack the Ripper, killed prostitutes from the slums of London in late 1888. His identity was never revealed. He killed women in a monstrous way, carefully removing the internal organs of the victims, for which he was credited with deep knowledge in the field of surgery.

7. Wolf pit

• Australia, 2005.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

Students travel to Australia to find a meteorite impact crater. This is a mystical and mysterious place full of secrets. And now a company of friends is at the very epicenter of events.

The plot is based on the story of the Australian maniac Ivan Milat, who killed tourists. He was caught and sentenced to life for his crimes.

8. The girl next door

• USA, 2007.
• Crime, drama, horror.
• Duration: 91 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

Megan and her sister Susan after the death of their parents live in the house of the Chandler family. Their Aunt Ruth has three sons, but her mother is not the best. The woman was cruel towards girls: she beat, tortured and humiliated.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Jack Ketchum, which, in turn, is based on a true story. Sylvia Likens from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, died at the age of 16 after the excruciating torture of Gertrude Baniszewski, whom the girl was left in the care of, her children and the boys of the neighborhood.

In the same year, another film was released, based on the tragic story of young Sylvia, “American Crime”.

9. Beyond fear

• USA, Mexico, 2007.
• Crime, horror, thriller.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 6.

Students take a trip to Mexico. They hope to have fun, rest and have fun, but the adventure turns into hell. Students are captured by drug lords who are members of a satanic cult.

The film is based on the real story of the murder of a teenager by a satanic drug lord and other members of the cult in 1989 in Mexico City.

About ghosts, ominous houses and curses

1. The Amityville Horror

• USA, 1979.
• Horror.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

A family with three children buys a luxury home at a very competitive price. They do not yet know that the past masters died a terrible death within these walls. New guests fall into the trap of the dwelling and witness unexplained and eerie events.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Jay Anson, which is based on a real story. Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his parents, two brothers and two sisters while they were sleeping. The motives were not obvious. Later, the Lutz family moved into the house, but they did not live there for a long time. Throwing all their belongings, the owners ran away from home: they were pursued by voices, strange sounds and smells at night, as well as inexplicable mystical phenomena.

In 2005, a remake of the film was filmed, and in 2017, the story of the sinister house was reinterpreted.

2. Creature

• USA, 1982.
• Biography, drama, horror.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Karla Moran became the victim of an invisible creature. She was raped and beaten when the woman was defenseless. Karla wants to understand what happened and seeks help from a specialist - a parapsychologist.

The film is based on the book of the same name by Frank de Felitta, inspired by the story of Doris Bizer from Los Angeles, California. In 1974, Doris claimed that she was raped by the ghosts of three men.

3. A Nightmare on Elm Street

• USA, 1984.
• Horror.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Students from the same school have the same nightmares: a creepy man in a striped sweater with a burnt face and a five-blade glove. The name of this nightmare is Freddy Krueger. Freddie has returned to take revenge. He kills victims in their sleep, but here's the problem: all those who died in their sleep died for real.

Legendary horror director Wes Craven was inspired by a story he read about in the Los Angeles Times. The article referred to a family who fled Cambodia to the United States. The little son was tormented by terrible nightmares, he was afraid to sleep and tried to stay awake all the time. Once, when the boy did fall asleep, his parents heard screams in the middle of the night. They ran into the room and found their son dead. He passed away during a nightmare.

The story about the maniac Freddy Krueger was continued and grew into a franchise of nine films.

4. Children's games

• USA, 1988.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Little boy Andy Barclay is sure that his doll is alive. And it is true: the evil spirit of the murderer has infiltrated the harmless toy. Of course, no one believes the child, but the doll continues to kill.

At the beginning of the 20th century, little Robert Eugene Otto was presented with a doll, which the boy named after himself. He was inseparable from the new toy, but his parents were worried. They heard that two different voices were coming from the room where their son was playing with the doll. Someone even claimed that the doll is moving. The toy has spawned many urban legends, and now flaunts on the shelf of a museum in Florida.

5. Moth Man

• USA, 2002.
• Drama, horror, mysticism.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

Journalist John Cline lost his wife two years ago. Before her death, she told him about a strange creature, but they did not believe her. The woman was diagnosed with a brain tumor that caused death. By the will of fate, John finds himself in the small town of Point Pleasant, where he learns about a strange creature that lives in the vicinity. It turns out that it is very similar to the one that his wife was obsessed with.

This mysterious story was born in 1966 in the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, USA. Many people claimed to have seen a strange, human-sized creature with wings and glowing red eyes. This was widely reported in the press, and in 1975 the American journalist John Keel, known for his theories about UFOs, wrote a book about the moth man, which was used for the film.

5. The ghost of the Red River

• UK, Canada, Romania, USA, 2005.
• Drama, horror.
• Duration: 83 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.

The Bell family is respected in society, but they still have detractors. A curse was sent to her, and the evil spirit will not leave until it achieves the death of one of the Bells.

The Bell family lived on a farm in Tennessee in the 19th century and were quite wealthy. In 1818, the head of the family, John Bell, began to see images that were not in reality, strange things began to happen in the house and eerie sounds appeared. The family suffered from ghost attacks for a whole year until John died. Whose hands it was, remains a mystery.

6. Ghosts in Connecticut

• USA, Canada, 2009.
• Drama, horror, mysticism.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 9.

The family moves to a new home, closer to the clinic where the son is being treated for cancer. The dwelling holds terrible secrets and is full of ghosts.

The plot of the film is inspired by the history of the real-life Snedeker family. In 1986, the family moved into a house in Connecticut to be closer to the hospital where their son was being treated for cancer. It turned out that the house used to be a funeral home. When the Snedekers found out about this, they began to notice strange and creepy things.

But in the film, of course, everything is greatly exaggerated. And there is no evidence of the presence of evil spirits in the house, except for the words of family members.

7. Conjuring

• USA, 2013.
• Horror, mysticism, thriller.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Edd and Lorraine Warren are engaged in paranormal investigations. They were approached by a family who had become the object of the torment of an evil spirit. The couple must defeat the demon and save the family.

The Warren film series is based on true stories. Edd and Lorraine have indeed been investigating the paranormal since the 1950s: the Amityville Horror house, the Annabelle doll, the Borly church nun, and many, many more. However, skeptics are confident that the results of the Warrens' research are not credible.

8. Winchester. The house that the ghosts built

• Australia, USA, 2018.
• Biography, fantasy, horror.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 4.

The heiress of the arms company Sarah Winchester lives in a luxurious mansion with quirky architecture. Inside, the house looks like a labyrinth, but the hostess now and then rebuilds something and erects new walls. There are reasons for everything: this is how Sarah tries to trap the ghosts, eager to kill the Winchester family.

The picture is based on the real story of the widow of Oliver Winchester's son, the inventor of the famous rifle. The hostess, after consulting with the medium, really rebuilt her mansion many times so that the ghosts got lost and could not find her. Were there really ghosts? Perhaps, but there is still no real evidence of this.

The legendary house is located in the city of San Jose, California, USA, and to this day attracts tourists and nerve-ticklers.