Top 20 Ghost Movies Ever Made

Before 1944, ghost stories were a rarity in feature films, often treated as comedic fodder when they did appear. The Uninvited revolutionized the genre with its solemn tone, almost singlehandedly sparking a surge of ghost films in the 1940s. The story follows a brother and sister, portrayed by Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey, who stumble upon an incredible deal for a cliffside house—a perfect setup for a chilling ghost tale.

The film’s unique sibling dynamic (so convincing it could easily be mistaken for a married couple) is just one of many unsettling elements woven into its narrative. A local woman becomes entangled in the mystery, convinced the strange happenings are her mother’s spirit at work. However, the truth reveals deeper connections involving the woman who manages the nearby sanatorium (with queer undertones that are barely concealed). The result is a film rich in atmosphere and genuinely spine-tingling, standing as one of the earliest and finest examples of the genre.

Where to stream: Digital rental

Countless films have tried to emulate the tone, style, and narrative of Jack Clayton’s The Innocents, but none have quite matched its brilliance. A modern take on Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, with a screenplay by Truman Capote and starring Deborah Kerr, the film’s unique combination of elements feels impossible to replicate. It follows a governess who grows increasingly uneasy about the children in her care, with the film’s striking deep-focus cinematography creating an ever-present sense of something ominous lurking just out of sight.

Where to stream: The Criterion Channel, Fubo TV

It’s astonishing how accessible Carnival of Souls has become (just check the streaming options). My first viewing was on a worn-out VHS tape during the DVD era, as it was the only way to watch it. Though it’s in the public domain, even Criterion has embraced this low-budget indie gem. The film tells the story of a young woman who finds herself in a surreal, eerie carnival populated by hollow-eyed visitors who seem far from cheerful. It feels like a blend of George Romero and David Lynch, yet it predates both filmmakers’ iconic works.

Where to stream: HBO Max, Shudder, Paramount+, The Criterion Channel, The Roku Channel, Epix, Kanopy

Adapted from Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House, this film begins with a familiar setup but escalates into something extraordinary. A scientist gathers a diverse group to spend a night in the infamous Hill House, a stunning yet bizarrely constructed mansion said to be haunted. Like the novel, director Robert Wise (an underappreciated talent) crafts intense character drama amidst the terror, delving into each individual’s psyche while focusing on Eleanor, a timid woman who spent years caring for her recently deceased mother. The story transforms into a poignant tale of two lost souls discovering solace in each other—forever.

The source material has inspired numerous adaptations and imitations, such as the campy yet entertaining The House on Haunted Hill. While most are worthwhile, the 1999 remake is best skipped.

Where to stream: AMC+

Modern horror staples like vengeful spirits and demons have deep roots in Japanese culture, with J-horror existing long before the term was coined—centuries earlier, in fact. It’s no wonder some of the finest ghost films originate from Japan. Kwaidan, derived from an old term for “ghost story,” is an anthology film, a format that often suits horror perfectly. While anthologies can be uneven, this one excels, with four distinct yet masterfully crafted tales. The first story, “The Black Hair,” features imagery that has since become iconic. The film is also visually breathtaking, with a remarkable use of color.

Where to stream: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel

Kuroneko is a revenge tale with unexpectedly feminist undertones, starting simply but growing increasingly intricate before reaching a powerful, ambiguous conclusion. A mother and daughter-in-law are assaulted and killed by a band of roving samurai. Swearing vengeance and striking a deal with dark forces, their spirits lure and mercilessly slaughter wandering warriors. When a celebrated samurai is dispatched to confront these deadly apparitions, he discovers they are the ghosts of his wife and mother.

Where to stream: The Criterion Channel

A floating head chomps on someone’s backside, a piano devours a girl, and a woman vanishes into a fridge. These are just glimpses of the intentional absurdity in House (or Hausu), which follows six friends invited to a eerie, old mansion. The film defies conventional themes or plotlines, prioritizing style over substance—but what a style it is! The vibrant, candy-colored visuals early on set the stage for the carnage that follows. The result is a surreal, music video-like fever dream—not exactly terrifying, but utterly unforgettable.

Where to stream: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel

Once more: unless you fancy living in a horror flick, reconsider that bargain property. Here, it’s a massive, inherently spooky Victorian mansion that’s been vacant for over a decade—for reasons that soon become clear. George C. Scott, grieving the loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident, sees the house as a fresh start. But as he delves into the strange occurrences, it becomes evident that the house’s horrors are as much about his own emotional baggage as its dark history. A cult classic, the film shines thanks to Scott’s compelling performance and its expertly crafted haunted house scares, solidifying its place in the genre.

Where to stream: Shudder

Before Tim Burton’s style became iconic, he stood out as one of the most innovative and boundary-pushing filmmakers of his time, infusing every project with his signature blend of eerie, darkly comedic strangeness. After introducing an unforgettable ghost trucker in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, he took audiences on a wild journey through the afterlife in Beetlejuice. Like his earlier works, the film champions outsiders—here, the deceased—showing they often have the most fun.

Where to stream: Digital rental

While it carries the hallmarks of a slasher film, complete with a chilling villain in Tony Todd’s Daniel Robitaille, Candyman broke the mold by subverting genre norms. It centers Black characters and weaves a gothic romance into its tale of a vengeful spirit haunting Chicago’s housing projects. Robitaille, murdered for loving a white woman, becomes a ghost whose pain and rage echo through generations. When he encounters a woman who may be the reincarnation of his lost love, his haunting leads to a devastating end.

Where to stream: Digital rental

When Beloved debuted in 1998, audiences were unsure how to categorize it. Directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, and Thandiwe Newton, it had the makings of a prestige drama, but it’s also an unflinching ghost story. The film opens with a chilling scene, setting the tone for a narrative about Sethe (Winfrey), a former enslaved woman haunted by the literal and figurative ghosts of her past, including the harrowing choices she was forced to make.

Where to stream: Peacock

While time and M. Night Shyamalan’s later, less consistent twists may have softened its initial impact, revisiting the film reveals its enduring power. It’s far more than its famous ending, maintaining a haunting atmosphere that remains effective even when the conclusion is known. Haley Joel Osment, overlooked for The Phantom Menace, delivers one of cinema’s finest child performances, and Bruce Willis shines in what may be his best role.

Where to stream: Peacock

While the twist ending is a standout, what truly stands out in Alejandro Amenábar’s atmospheric ghost story is its rewatchability. The film’s eerie tone ensures the scares remain potent, even when you know where to look. Nicole Kidman excels as a stoic yet fragile mother caring for her two children in a secluded Channel Islands home, awaiting her husband’s (Christopher Eccleston) return from war. The youngest child’s extreme photosensitivity keeps much of the house in perpetual darkness, adding to the tension. The arrival of enigmatic servants, including the brilliant Fionnula Flanagan, deepens the mystery, building to a devastating yet fulfilling climax.

Where to stream: Digital rental

Spirits aren’t always terrifying, but they can be unpredictable and slightly menacing. Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece, widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made, is a visual feast, with every frame crafted with meticulous care. It follows the journey of Chihiro, a determined girl who ventures into a spirit world to save her parents and reclaim her identity.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Through the perspective of young Carlos, we witness Spain in 1939 during the final days of the Spanish Civil War. With General Franco rising to power, two leftist supporters run a secluded orphanage, aware they’ve sided with the losing faction. The ghost, Santi, once occupied Carlos’ bed, and director Guillermo del Toro skillfully uses spectral elements to challenge the living characters as they confront their crumbling world. His later film, Crimson Peak, offers a different but equally compelling ghost story.

Where to stream: Prime Video

This Australian film offers a subdued approach to found-footage horror, presented more as a documentary than shaky-cam footage. Rather than focusing on scares, it delves into the emotional void left by the death of sixteen-year-old Alice. Her brother, convinced he’s seen her ghost, sets up cameras to capture the phenomenon. While the setup is familiar, the film uses the supernatural to explore grief and the ways we construct identities for loved ones, often without truly knowing them.

Where to stream: Prime Video

Claire and Luke are managing the front desk during the final weekend of the once-majestic Yankee Pedlar Inn, primarily there to shut it down. Both are avid ghost hunters and see this as their last opportunity to document the long-rumored paranormal activity surrounding the establishment. What starts as lighthearted attempts to capture ghostly evidence takes a darker turn when the last guest arrives. While the film doesn’t reinvent the genre, it’s a masterfully crafted example—humorous when needed, yet intelligent and genuinely eerie at times. Like many ghost stories, the ending is pivotal, and this one delivers a satisfying conclusion.

Director Ti West drew inspiration from the real-life, allegedly haunted Yankee Pedlar Inn, even filming exterior shots and key scenes there. Interestingly, the actual hotel closed shortly after. Was it a ghostly curse? Did the spirits disapprove of being featured in a horror film? Or was it the failed attempt to rebrand as a Best Western? You decide. (Probably the last one.)

Where to stream: Peacock, IMDb TV, The Roku Channel

Starting as a conventional ghost story, Personal Shopper evolves into something entirely original. It follows a personal shopper with mediumistic abilities, striving to connect with her deceased brother. The enigmatic text messages she receives could be from the afterlife or a stalker, and the film’s fragmented structure keeps the tone unsettling yet intriguing. A follow-up to the acclaimed Clouds of Sils Maria, this collaboration between Kristen Stewart and director Olivier Assayas is even more compelling.

Where to stream: Hulu

David Lowery stands out as one of today’s most remarkable visual storytellers, as evidenced by his recent work in The Green Knight. This explains how a film featuring a ghost portrayed by a man in a sheet can be so poignant and captivating. The story follows a man who dies suddenly but lingers in the modest home he shared with his wife. Rather than being frightening, the film is haunting, with its exploration of love and loss lingering long after the credits roll. The sheet, which might seem absurd in other contexts, transforms the ghost into a relatable and deeply human figure.

Where to stream: Netflix, Kanopy

This is not to be confused with The Curse of La Llorona, the 2019 American film tied to The Conjuring universe. While that film is decent but forgettable, this Guatemalan take on the weeping woman legend, directed by Jayro Bustamante, offers a far more compelling narrative. It intertwines the myth with the harrowing history of the Indigenous Mayan genocide, particularly its peak in the early 1980s. The story centers on a fictionalized former Guatemalan president who narrowly escapes prosecution for his crimes, retreating to his lavish home with his fractured family. The arrival of a new housekeeper, Alma (meaning “spirit”), signals the beginning of a chilling tale. Unlike typical thrillers, this film prioritizes atmosphere and the grim realities of its historical backdrop over cheap scares.

Where to stream: Shudder