25 Horror Movies Based On Real Life Incidents

We all feel like watching a horror film, then curling up on the bed. The experience gets even better if you watch it with your friends. Horror movies are scary, spooky, horrifying but yet entertaining. Who’d like to miss out on horror movies right? But you know what’s scarier? There are horror films, based on real stories, which makes it even more adventure than it already is.

Here’s the list of horror films based on real-life incidents:

1. The Exorcist – 1973

The Exorcist is based on a book. This is about a true story, of a boy named, Roland Doe who was apparently possessed by demons in 1949. The process was so scary that a book was written about the people who witnessed the situation. Fun fact, the actors reported some paranormal activities during the shoot of this film as well. This film should be on the top of your bucket list if you’re hungry for some horror actions.

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – 1974

Sally hears that her grandfather’s grave had been vandalized. She and her paraplegic brother, Franklin, set out to investigate. While they detour their family’s farmhouse, they get to witness a group of weird, terrifying, and very unusual murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by chainsaw Leatherface.

He wears a mask of human skin, the survivors did everything they could to survive and save their lives. Imagine this happening while you’re out on a weekend getaway.

3. A Nightmare On Elm Street – 2010

Are you someone who yearns for gory scenes, too much blood and jumpscare moments? Well then, this film is a must for you. This film was inspired by the story of the death of a group of Laotian refugees who died in thrones of a nightmare. The creepy thing is, there was nothing wrong with them physically. As stated in the medical reports. Spooky right?

4. Child’s Play (1988)

The movie is based on a nurse who put a voodoo curse on author Robert Eugene Otto. That allegedly led into a disaster, As it turned one of his childhood dolls into a night-time menace. Karen buys her son Andy a doll for his birthday. Little did Karen know about the history of the doll. Dolls and horror stories are very common, but knowing that the doll actually existed actually gave me goosebumps.

5. The Amityville Horror (2005)

The story is based on the time when George Lutz and his wife, Kathy, found a beautiful new house in Amityville. The price seems to be too good to be true. Well, just that, every other horror story, they decide to move into the house with their kids. But you know what made the price of the house so low, it’s because of the regular paranormal activities in the house.

But here’s the twist, the previous tenant of the house murdered his family because he was possessed by a devil. After agreeing and getting scared of all the activities in the house. The couple seeks the help of a priest to help them get rid of all the freaking activities. This apparently has been a very discussed case among the paranormal researchers.

6. Psycho – 1960

Phoenix secretary, Marion, on the lam after stealing a huge amount from her employer just to run away with her boyfriend. Sam, her boyfriend, is overcome by exhaustion during a heavy rainstorm situation. While travelling on the back roads to avoid the police, she stops for the night at the ramshackle Bates Motel and meets the police.

Norman Bates, a young man with a strange interest in taxidermy and a weird difficult relationship with his mother. The follow-ups have been very gory and psychotic like the name suggests. It must be number one in your bucket list.

7. The Girl Next Door – 2007

The movie is very loosely based on what is said to be the most terrible crime of Indiana state. A teen goes through horrendous abuse at the hands of her caretaker. Who surprisingly also encourages the neighborhood boys to torment and abuse the girl. The girl was tortured and eventually killed. The plot is based on that solely.

8. The Conjuring – 2013

Let me guess, you’re a fan of paranormal dolls? Or you are someone who absolutely loves the idea of horrifying dolls? If your answer to any of the questions is yes. Then this film is a must for you to watch. Oh bonus points if you could watch it in a room full of dolls. Fun fact, Ed and Lorraine are real life paranormal investigators. It is said that the case was difficult for them to solve as well. Eerie.

9. Deranged – 1974

The movie is based on the case of Ed, a farmer who turned into a murderous grave robber. He became obsessed with the remnants of his domineering mother. This man used to kill and collect bodies in order to keep her company in the house in which they lived together. He was also tagged as America’s most heinous serial killer.

Imagine loving someone so much that you kill people to keep them company. I can’t relate. Maybe Ed nodded his head saying, “I relate” while sitting beside me, and my dog started barking at nowhere. Um,okay.

10. Ravenous – 1999

After receiving reports of a missing person at Fort Spencer, a remote army outpost on the Western frontier, Captain John investigates. Well it seems like it was all based on cannibalism at the end. So if you’re someone into human flesh and blood with some gore scenes, it must be for you. Settle in with some popcorn.

11. The Rite – 2011

America’s most famous exorcism. This movie would actually scare you terribly. Micheal, a student, goes to Italy to learn exorcism. He meets Father Luca, who changes his perspective towards the way he sees it. It is suggested to not to watch this alone. Unless you’re someone who’s too courageous.

12. The Haunting In Connecticut – 2009

The plot of this movie is really simple. You get a house and the price is too good to believe. After you get the house though, you realize the reason for the price is the abnormal activities around. But the plot twist in this tory is the owners had their house over a funeral parlour. Brb, on my way to ask my parents about my house.

13. Borderland – 2007

The story is based on a very real story about a cult leader. Adolfo, this movie has super gore scenes and details of how human sacrifice was practised by the cult. Trigger Warning- fingers, toes, brain was cut off by him, watch it if you can handle it.

14. The Strangers – 2008

Do you love movies, which have jumpscare moments at the very end? Then, yes, make a plan to watch this movie immediately. The movie is inspired from the murders by serial killer Charles Mansion. Also the events which happened across his childhood home.

15. The Entity – 1982

In 1974, paranormal investigators Kerry and Barry worked at a place where they witnessed moving objects. The story is based on the incidents where the ghost abuses sexually. Weird right? That’s what i thought as well, but i got goosebumps after i saw it. Please dont watch it alone, if you’re as soft hearted as me.

16. The Exorcism Of Emily Rose – 2005

Rev is prosecuted for the wrongful death of a girl who was thought to be demonically possessed. Because he administered the church sanctioned exorcism that ultimately killed her. It took nearly a year to get out of the exorcism. It is based on a very famous and real storyline and plot.

17. The Possession – 2012

The eldest daughter of this family, Em, becomes strangely obsessed with an antique wooden box. The box was bought from a yard sale, parents Clyde and Stephanie see little cause for alarm. But, Em becomes increasingly unstable, leading the couple to fear the presence of malevolent force. To their horror they learn that the box contains a dybbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits.

18. Deliver Us From Evil – 2014

This movie is a cinematographed version of a book. The book is called Beware The Night and is not a fictional book. The entire plot is based om, exorcism but with a twist to it. If you’re someone who enjoys watching that genre, book yourself some time for this film.

19. Eaten Alive – 1980

When I read the title of this film, honestly I thought it’s another film about cannibalism. But its not, the movie is based on a much more terrifying thing. The story shows a man who watches alligators feed on women he killed. The film is very gory and a trigger warning is given, but its worth it. Also, it happened in real life.

20. Fire In The Sky – 1993

Horror, science fiction and thriller, if you’re into these, this movie must be for you. Just like the name of the movie suggests itself, the movie revolves the same way. In 1975 Travis Walton alleges that aliens captured him. The movie revolves around his life and what happened to him later on.

21. Curse Of The Zodiac – 2007

The movie is mostly based towards coding and decoding. So if you’re into mystery and horror at the same time, do not miss this movie! It has a lot of cryptic messages as well, watch at your own risk. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it though.

22. Silent House – 2011

The movie and the cinematography is very much inclined towards real time footage. Like people trying to escape but you’re getting to see it on a real time basis. If movies like that are up your alley, check this out. It is an independent American horror movie based on a real incident in Uruguay.

23. Annabelle – 2014

Very much like The Conjuring. The movie is based on spooky and eerie dolls. But the cinematography is very different. The perspective of the film covers some very gory and jumpscare moments as well.

24. The Dentist – 1966

The last time I went to a dentist was after I watched the film. Trust me, I was terrified at every second. This film is based on a dentist who turns out to be a serial killer. God! Imagine getting killed by the dental tools!

25. Wolf Creek – 2005

Witnessing Milat and Bradley commit such crimes. Helped me to stay awake that entire night. Please stay away from strangers, okay?

*Looking under the bed*