Buzz
The haunted house is one of horror’s most cherished conventions, transforming the familiar idea of home into a whirlwind of dread and nighttime terrors. This enduring concept is so universally captivating that countless filmmakers have drawn upon it to create their own spine-chilling narratives. With many cinematic classics within the genre, these are the essential films you won’t want to miss if you’re diving into the haunted house theme this Halloween season.
1. The Uninvited (1944)
The Uninvited, a haunting gem from Hollywood’s Golden Age, has all the elements you'd want from a quintessential black-and-white horror-thriller. It features an eerie mansion, a talented ensemble cast led by Ray Milland, and a slow-building supernatural plot that unfolds at its own pace. While it may feel drawn-out for modern viewers, the film's deliberate tempo makes it a slow-burn classic that gradually immerses you in its unsettling atmosphere. In 2019, Martin Scorsese listed The Uninvited among the scariest films ever made, praising its subtle tone and how the fear is intricately woven into both the setting and the refined nature of the characters, as he wrote for The Daily Beast.
2. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
For a haunted house tale that isn’t frightening but instead uplifting and charming, look no further than this 1947 classic featuring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in the lead roles. A supernatural romance between a young woman and the ghostly sea captain who becomes her ethereal lover, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a delightful mix of deep emotion and sweetness, offering a refreshing contrast to the typical ghost stories found in horror films. The film’s score, composed by Bernard Herrmann, is considered by the composer to be his finest work, making this film not only a sweet love story but also a cinematic masterpiece.
3. 13 Ghosts (1960)
The legendary William Castle, known for his gimmick-driven horror films, crafted two iconic haunted house movies during his career. While House on Haunted Hill (1959) is definitely worth your time, 13 Ghosts stands out as the more supernatural and thrilling of the two. The plot follows a family that inherits a mysterious house, leading to a supernatural mystery that's as over-the-top as it is intriguing. The ghost effects, enhanced by Castle’s Illusion-O—a gimmick involving special glasses that let you see the ghosts or avoid them—still pack a punch, even after more than 60 years.
4. The Innocents (1961)
Much like the story that inspired it, Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, Jack Clayton’s The Innocents is a film that delves into the haunted houses of our own psyche rather than relying on literal ghosts emerging from the shadows. This psychological horror is a stunning showcase for Deborah Kerr, who plays a governess unraveling in a large, possibly haunted estate. Kerr gets lost in Clayton’s atmospheric Gothic world, and so will you. The Innocents also made it onto Scorsese’s list of the scariest films ever, with the Oscar-winner calling it “one of the rare pictures that does justice to Henry James. It’s beautifully crafted and acted, immaculately shot (by Freddie Francis), and very scary.”
5. The Haunting (1963)
Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is a cornerstone of haunted house literature, and it’s inspired several brilliant adaptations. If you’re in search of the finest film adaptation, look no further than Robert Wise’s chilling, psychologically intricate version from the 1960s. The horror here is subtle but all the more terrifying as Wise’s expert use of light and shadow forces you to scrutinize every corner for unseen spirits. Russ Tamblyn, who plays Luke Sannerson, the heir to Hill House, also made an appearance in Netflix's 2018 miniseries, The Haunting of Hill House.
6. The Legend of Hell House (1973)
Based on Richard Matheson’s novel Hell House, this film is a pure, unrelenting haunted house experience. John Hough’s adaptation brings the novel’s terrifying atmosphere to life, following a group of experts who venture into the infamous house to gather evidence of the supernatural. What begins as an intellectual pursuit quickly descends into madness and terror as they encounter one horrifying vision after another, culminating in one of the most riveting haunted house finales in film history. More than 25 years later, the film inspired the MTV reality horror series Fear.
7. House (1977)
If you haven’t yet seen House, Nobuhiko Obayashi’s 1977 haunted house film, do yourself a favor and watch it immediately. Don’t spoil it by checking the plot or watching trailers—just dive in and hold on tight. Nearly 50 years after its release, there’s still nothing quite like it in the horror genre—or any other genre for that matter. It’s a surreal, nightmarish experience full of unforgettable imagery, a one-of-a-kind achievement in haunted house cinema. Although it was a smash hit in Japan upon its release, American audiences weren’t introduced to it until more than three decades later, when it started screening at festivals in 2009, quickly earning a devoted cult following.
8. The Changeling (1980)
George C. Scott might not be the first actor that comes to mind when you think of horror icons, but he solidified his place in the genre with a standout performance in this haunting tale. The story follows a grieving composer who moves into a haunted house and uncovers a mystery that has been buried for decades. Scott’s performance is captivating, but it’s Peter Medak’s slow-burn direction, complete with eerie antique furniture and sinister children’s toys, that transforms this film into a haunted house classic. To get the details just right, screenwriters Diana Maddox and William Gray reportedly spent six months conducting extensive research, reading over 700 books and studying nearly 2,000 case studies on parapsychological phenomena.
9. The Shining (1980)
Although technically a haunted hotel film, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is so effective because it transforms the hotel into a claustrophobic, isolated home, encasing the Torrance family in an overwhelming vastness until the building seems to consume them. Whether you see the film as a tale of haunted places or haunted individuals, Kubrick’s masterful manipulation of perception and his ability to maintain a constant feeling of dread have cemented The Shining as a cornerstone of horror cinema. Before helming The Shining, Kubrick was considered to direct The Exorcist, but he declined, stating, “I only like to develop my own stuff.” (Clearly, he changed his mind when adapting The Shining.)
10. Poltergeist (1982)
The brilliance of Poltergeist, Tobe Hooper’s iconic horror film produced by Steven Spielberg, lies in its relentless pace. From the first signs of supernatural activity, the terror never lets up, constantly escalating as the story hurtles toward its conclusion. Despite the mounting horror, Poltergeist manages to maintain an underlying sense of fun and adventure, ensuring you never leave feeling bleak. Spielberg initially approached Stephen King to pen the script, but, as King shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2018, communication issues delayed their collaboration: “It didn’t work out because it was before the internet and we had a communication breakdown. I was on a ship crossing the Atlantic to England. It took so long to reply that Spielberg moved on.”
11. House (1985)
Steve Miner’s House straddles two worlds with such finesse that it’s almost dizzying. The film centers on author Roger Cobb (William Katt), who moves into his late aunt’s house to write a book, only to find it haunted. The ensuing events are a bizarre mix of genuine terror and absurdity, with the film blending horror with comedy while also offering a sharp critique of post-Vietnam anxiety in Reagan-era America. It may sound chaotic, but somehow it all works. George Wendt, famous for playing Norm Peterson on Cheers, plays Roger’s neighbor Harold, while John Ratzenberger, aka Cliff Clavin from Cheers, appears in the 1987 sequel, House II: The Second Story.
12. Beetlejuice (1988)
While firmly grounded in zany, dark comedy rather than traditional horror, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice still stands as one of the quintessential haunted house films. Its brilliance lies in how it plays with typical haunted house conventions, turning them on their head once the perspectives shift. In a bizarre afterlife where ghosts follow their own peculiar societal rules, the film offers a unique exploration of haunting, showcasing how spirits can communicate in ways that go beyond eerie noises and terrifying specters. Even 35 years later, Beetlejuice remains an absolute delight. Burton’s first pick for the role of Beetlejuice was Sammy Davis Jr., but it was producer David Geffen who suggested Michael Keaton for the part.
13. Ghostwatch (1992)
Initially broadcast as a mock BBC television special, Ghostwatch is best remembered for the sheer panic it instilled in viewers on Halloween night in 1992, but it’s much more than just a cultural footnote. Yes, Ghostwatch is a captivating example of the mockumentary subgenre, but it also stands as an intensely gripping and genuinely terrifying haunted house tale. The kind of story that makes you want to watch it again and again, searching for hidden spirits lurking in the background. After its airing, the UK’s Broadcasting Standards Council reportedly received more than 20,000 phone calls and thousands of angry letters from viewers.
14. The Others (2001)
Alejandro Amenábar's The Others is a haunting film that weaves a sense of creeping, unpredictable terror, even for viewers who know its famous twist. With stunning performances, led by Nicole Kidman, and Amenábar’s masterful direction, the movie envelops you in a spell that lingers long after it ends. The film explores themes of grief and post-war trauma, with an eerie build-up toward its ghostly revelations. At the 2002 Goya Awards, Spain's equivalent of the Oscars, it made history by winning eight awards, including Best Film. Notably, The Others is the first film to win Spain's top film honor without a single line of Spanish dialogue.
15. Dark Water (2002)
Hideo Nakata, famous for his work on Ringu, may have created his true masterpiece with Dark Water, a chilling tale of a mother and daughter who move into an apartment with a dark, troubled past. This atmospheric ghost story excels in building tension, delivering a frightening payoff, and sustaining terror even after the plot appears to have concluded. The film's haunting atmosphere resonates deeply, and three years later, an English-language remake starring Jennifer Connelly and John C. Reilly was released.
16. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Kim Jee-woon’s A Tale of Two Sisters stands as a striking example of psychological horror, drawing viewers into a web of suspense and deception. The film skillfully leads you to believe it is a psychological drama, laced with eerie symbols of a haunted house, only to reveal at its chilling conclusion that it has always been a ghost story. The supernatural elements intensify the emotional and psychological tension, making the ghosts' presence even more terrifying. A Tale of Two Sisters remains South Korea’s highest-grossing horror film to this day.
17. Paranormal Activity (2007)
At a time when ghost-hunting shows were rising in popularity, Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity felt like a natural progression, but its chilling impact remains undeniable. The premise is simple: a couple sets up cameras in their home to capture the eerie events that seem to be occurring. Though the found footage style has since been emulated by countless sequels and imitators, Paranormal Activity remains a low-budget thriller with a chilling final twist that has made it one of the most influential horror films of its era. Steven Spielberg, after viewing the DVD, was reportedly convinced that it was haunted. He was impressed with the movie and even suggested the film's ending, though in 2017, Peli admitted that he still preferred his original conclusion.
18. The Orphanage (2007)
One of the most haunting images in modern horror comes from J.A. Bayona’s The Orphanage, a ghost story that features, among other chilling elements, the unforgettable appearance of a boy wearing a cloth mask. But this spectral figure is just the tip of the iceberg. The film gradually unfolds to deliver a series of otherworldly and deeply existential frights, making it one of the most acclaimed horror films of the 21st century. Horror maestro Guillermo del Toro makes an uncredited cameo in the film, portraying a doctor.
19. Lake Mungo (2008)
A grieving family, still reeling from the loss of their daughter, agrees to participate in a documentary that delves into the possibility that their home is haunted. What follows is a haunting, profoundly moving narrative that stands out as one of the most unique horror stories of the past quarter-century. Atmospheric, poignant, and filled with reflections on what we leave behind after death, Lake Mungo is not only a standout ghost story but also an exceptional work by director Joel Anderson in telling that story in ways never seen before. Jordan Peele considers it one of the scariest films he has ever seen, and it served as inspiration for his own Us (2019).
20. Sinister (2012)
Although the entity in Sinister might lean more towards demonic than ghostly, we’re putting that distinction aside to focus on what makes this film so effective. Directed and co-written by Scott Derrickson, the movie is incredibly tense and detailed with horrific moments that will make you question the safety of every corner of your home, especially if you’ve just moved in. For those who appreciate found footage, the home video segments remain deeply unsettling, even after repeated viewings. In 2012, co-writer C. Robert Cargill revealed to Complex that the idea for Sinister came to him after a nightmare inspired by watching The Ring.
21. The Woman in Black (2012)
At the heart of The Woman in Black is Daniel Radcliffe, whose assured portrayal of a lawyer sent to a haunted house to process an estate gives the film its solid foundation. The movie exudes atmosphere and is infused with a vintage charm reminiscent of classic ghost stories. It takes its time to build tension but also knows when to inject a modern jolt of jump scares when necessary, blending old-school terror with contemporary thrills. The film also carries a personal touch: Misha Handley, who plays Radcliffe’s son Joseph, is his real-life godson. Radcliffe recommended Handley for the role to deepen the bond seen between father and son on-screen.
“It’s incredibly difficult to establish that chemistry with a 4-year-old boy you’ve never met before, especially when he steps onto a film set and thinks, ‘What on earth is all of this?’” Radcliffe shared with the Associated Press. “That’s one of the main reasons I suggested to [director] James [Watkins] that we audition my real-life godson.”
22. The Conjuring (2013)
James Wan's groundbreaking film not only launched a blockbuster franchise, but also stands as one of the most successful and terrifying horror movies of the 2010s, continuing to cast a long shadow over the genre even as countless sequels and spin-offs have followed. Wan’s legendary skill at crafting terrifying jump scares is on full display here, but what truly elevates The Conjuring is the human drama at its core. In 2021, the real-life Rhode Island house that inspired the movie went on sale for $1.2 million.
23. We Are Still Here (2015)
One of the standout horror films of the 21st century, Ted Geoghegan’s We Are Still Here begins with a deceptively simple premise: a grieving couple moves into a cursed New England house. From there, it pulls out all the stops to deliver maximum terror. Geoghegan’s ghosts are far more violent than traditional specters, and while the gore is undeniably shocking, it’s the deep, lingering sense of unease that makes this film unforgettable. Packed with nods to Lucio Fulci’s The House by the Cemetery (1981), a film that had a profound influence on Geoghegan, the movie mirrors Fulci’s locations and even names many of its characters after figures from the Italian horror maestro’s work.
24. Crimson Peak (2015)
Guillermo del Toro is one of horror’s most gifted visual storytellers, but even by his own high standards, Crimson Peak is breathtaking. A lush Gothic romance filled with decay, sensuality, and spectral presence, the film immerses you in a world that feels entirely its own. It takes familiar tropes and transforms them into something uniquely new. This is in large part due to the captivating performances by the trio of stars—Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasikowska—but the film’s hauntingly seductive atmosphere is unmistakably del Toro’s vision.
The inspiration for the film partly comes from a night del Toro spent at New Zealand’s allegedly haunted Waitomo Caves Hotel while scouting locations for The Hobbit movies (which he was originally slated to direct). “I heard a terrible murder being committed in the room,” del Toro recounted to the New Zealand Herald. “I was genuinely terrified. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. What was strange was that the next morning, I wasn’t tired—I was just agitated and scared. I never imagined feeling those kinds of fears. It was absolutely terrifying.”
25. His House (2020)
Two African refugees, newly settled in government housing in the United Kingdom, quickly realize they are not alone. As with many horror films on this list, His House begins with a simple, relatable premise, only to transform into something far more complex and disturbing. Director Remi Weekes delivers some of the most unnerving sequences in recent haunted house cinema. Yet, what lingers long after the film ends is its powerful meditation on how trauma shapes us and the lengths we’ll go to survive—despite knowing that the ghosts of our past choices may never truly leave us.
