Buzz
If you’re a skeptic, you might dismiss the notion of a film being cursed as sheer nonsense. However, some productions have experienced such extraordinary bad luck that it’s hard to ignore the possibility. Regardless of whether you believe in curses, you’ll probably be glad not to have been part of these ten films.
10. The Exorcist (1973)
Upon its release in 1973, the horror masterpiece The Exorcist already had audiences on edge with its chilling storyline. But strange events connected to the production, like injuries on set, a fire, a motorcycle crash, and even a lightning strike on a church, have contributed to its reputation as a cursed film.
The film has been tied to multiple deaths, with the most significant being the untimely passing of actors Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros, both of whom died before the movie even premiered. Additionally, several cast members reported the loss of loved ones during filming.
9. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
This 1955 drama about America's youth and its supposed moral decline presented a world of rebellion. But behind the scenes of Rebel Without a Cause, the chaos was just as real—highlighted by a physical altercation between aspiring actors stirred up by director Nicholas Ray, as well as a complicated love triangle involving Ray, Natalie Wood, and William Hooper.
The curse rumors surrounding this film stemmed not from backstage antics but from sheer tragedy, as all three of its lead actors met untimely deaths. James Dean tragically died in a car crash at the age of 24, just weeks before the film's release. Then, Sal Mineo was murdered at 37, and Natalie Wood mysteriously drowned off Santa Catalina Island at the age of 43. Even supporting actor Nick Adams, who had gained fame, died young from a drug overdose.
8. The Crow (1994)
The Crow was meant to be the breakthrough film for Brandon Lee, son of the legendary Bruce Lee. Sadly, it became his final performance after a tragic accident on set in which he was shot with a real bullet instead of a blank. While his death was the most shocking incident, it wasn’t the only stroke of bad luck the cast and crew encountered during production.
Things seemingly took a turn for the worse after the pre-production team received an anonymous voicemail warning them to abandon the project, claiming that 'bad things would happen.' As if on cue, disaster struck on the first day of shooting when a crew member suffered severe burns and tragically lost his ears after a crane collided with a power line. The situation worsened when the 'Storm of the Century' swept through the southeastern U.S., causing a series of setbacks, delays, and widespread illness among the cast and crew. In the end, the fact that the movie made it to the big screen is, by all accounts, nothing short of a minor miracle.
7. The Poltergeist Trilogy (1982-1988)
If there's one thing this list demonstrates, it's that horror films often seem to be the most vulnerable to alleged curses. Here, we not only have one iconic film, but an entire trilogy that many claim to be cursed. A string of untimely deaths, including two particularly shocking ones, involving four of the series' cast members, forms the basis of this unsettling claim.
The first to face a tragic end was Dominique Dunne, who portrayed Dana Freeling. She was tragically murdered by her ex-partner in 1982, right on her own driveway. Then, Julian Beck, who played the villainous preacher Kane in *Poltergeist II*, succumbed to his battle with stomach cancer in 1983, taking his own life. Will Sampson, the Native American shaman Taylor, passed away in 1987 following a complication during surgery. Finally, Heather O'Rourke, who famously portrayed Carol Anne—the central character of the *Poltergeist* saga—tragically passed away at the age of twelve due to an intestinal abnormality.
6. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz remains an iconic film in cinema history, often regarded as a groundbreaking achievement. However, some argue that the film's legacy is overshadowed by a series of on-set accidents. From a stunt double injured by an exploding broomstick to actors playing winged monkeys falling after broken wires, the set seemed riddled with misfortune.
The accidents didn't end there. Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch, suffered severe burns when a special effects fire ignited her costume. Buddy Ebsen, initially cast as the Tin Man, was poisoned by the aluminum dust used in his makeup. And those snowflakes falling as Dorothy and her companions nap? They were actually dangerous asbestos particles.
Judy Garland, who portrayed Dorothy, later opened up about the immense emotional toll the production took on her, citing psychological and emotional abuse both during and after filming. Beyond these personal struggles, the film also fueled countless urban myths, including the infamous but false tale of a munchkin's suicide. In truth, the 'curse' of The Wizard of Oz was merely a consequence of the studio's negligence and ignorance.
The Omen (1976)
This chilling horror movie revolves around a couple who adopt a child, only to discover that he may be the Antichrist. While the film is a favorite of many, others believe that telling such a dark tale might have brought an ominous fate upon the cast and crew. And there's a compelling case for this theory, with evidence that suggests things went horribly wrong during its production.
The misfortune surrounding the film began even before the cameras started rolling, with Gregory Peck’s son tragically taking his own life a month prior to filming. Shortly thereafter, Peck's plane was struck by lightning on his way to London. Remarkably, the same fate befell executive producer Mace Neufeld just a week later. And this would not be the last aviation-related incident, as a plane the crew was supposed to board tragically crashed.
Several other eerie events seem to be tied to the film, such as the director’s hotel being bombed by the IRA, a zookeeper being killed by lions the day after filming footage for *The Omen*, and a rottweiler attacking a stunt performer. However, perhaps the most chilling occurrence linked to the curse is the car crash involving special effects director John Richardson and his assistant Liz Moore. While John, the mastermind behind *The Omen’s* infamous decapitation scene, survived, tragically, his assistant was decapitated in the crash.
4. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Another film that explores the theme of the (unborn) antichrist and is believed to be cursed is *Rosemary’s Baby*. The whispers of this curse likely began after the murder of director Roman Polanski’s wife, Sharon Tate, by the Manson family in 1969. This tragedy came on the heels of composer Krzysztof Komeda's death following a fall from a rock encampment. In a more unsettling connection, years later, John Lennon was fatally shot outside of the Dakota, where *Rosemary’s Baby* was filmed, an event some also attribute to the curse.
Beyond these deaths, the so-called curse of *Rosemary’s Baby* has been linked to the troubled lives of those connected to the film. Producer William Castle and novelist Ira Levin, for instance, experienced significant personal and mental health issues, possibly due to the film’s controversial nature. Producer Robert Evans, once convicted of cocaine trafficking, later became embroiled in the infamous murder of Roy Radin. And, of course, there was Polanski’s personal descent, fueled by substance abuse and his own series of morally questionable actions after the murder of his wife.
3. A Confederacy of Dunces
A Confederacy of Dunces seems to be under the same ill-fated spell as Atuk. Both films are based on books, and both have suffered from tragic events and bad luck that have prevented them from coming to fruition. Initially, John Belushi was slated to play the lead role, only to tragically die from a drug overdose. Then, both John Candy and Chris Farley met the same untimely fate.
In 2005, a new version of the film starring Will Ferrell was on track for production. However, despite Ferrell surviving the alleged curse, the film’s production collapsed. One of its financial backers was tragically murdered by her husband, and then, to make matters worse, Hurricane Katrina devastated many of the essential filming locations.
2. Atuk
A film so cursed it never even made it to production. Based on The Incomparable Atuk, Atuk tells the story of an Inuit living in New York, a true 'fish out of water' tale. Yet, each time someone tries to make the film, they encounter the same disastrous outcome: the actor set to play the lead dies unexpectedly.
John Belushi was initially attached to star in the movie, but tragically passed away due to a drug overdose before filming began, leaving the script on his coffee table. Sam Kinison was also set to take the lead role but was unable to complete the production due to its shutdown. Sadly, he died later when a drunk driver crashed into his car. The script found its way to John Candy, who showed interest before he too passed away from a suspected heart attack. Finally, Chris Farley, after showing interest, passed away following a four-day, drug-induced binge at the age of 33.
1. The Superman Franchise (1948– )
The Superman curse is an ominous force that seems to have haunted the entire franchise. It appears to affect not only the actors but also those behind the scenes, from staff to producers. Those most vulnerable to this curse are undoubtedly the actors who play the iconic title role.
The curse seems to have started with Kirk Alyn, the first actor to portray Superman in live-action, who struggled to find steady work after taking on the role. George Reeves, who played the iconic hero in the 1951 film, tragically died just days before his planned wedding. Lee Quigley, who played baby Superman in the 1978 film, died at the age of fourteen due to a heart attack. The most infamous victim of the curse is Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed after a horse-riding accident.
