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Chilling Tales Behind the Screen: 16 Horror Movies Inspired by True Events

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Based on a true story

Horror movies have a unique way of gripping audiences with their tales of terror and suspense. But what happens when these spine-chilling stories are not just a product of imagination but are rooted in real-life events? Here’s a look at some horror movies that draw their eerie narratives from actual occurrences, proving that sometimes reality can be as frightening as fiction.

1. The Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror Official Trailer

The infamous Amityville house, located in Long Island, New York, became the scene of a horrific crime on November 13, 1974, when Ronald J. DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family with a .35 Marlin rifle while they slept. The Lutz family bought the house at a reduced price thirteen months later but left after 28 days, claiming to have experienced paranormal activities. These included strange odors, green slime oozing from walls, cold spots, and a voice that told a priest to “Get out” when he came to bless the house. The validity of the Lutz’s story has been questioned over the years, with some suggesting it was a hoax.

2. Fire in the Sky

Fire In The Sky Official Trailer

This movie is based on the alleged alien abduction of Travis Walton in 1975. Walton, a logger from Snowflake, Arizona, disappeared for five days, claiming to have been taken by a UFO. His story was met with skepticism, but it became one of the best-documented cases of alien abduction.

3. A Nightmare on Elm Street

A Nightmare on Elm Street Official Trailer

Wes Craven’s iconic film was inspired by a series of articles in the LA Times about a group of Southeast Asian refugees who, after fleeing to the United States, died in their sleep following nightmares. The medical reports called the phenomenon “Asian Death Syndrome,” and the victims were reportedly healthy before their sudden deaths.

4. Annabelle

Annabelle Official Trailer

The real Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann doll, which was said to be possessed by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle Higgins. The doll was given to a student nurse in 1970, and after experiencing frightening occurrences, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren took the doll, claiming it was being manipulated by an inhuman presence.

5. Winchester (2018)

Winchester Official Trailer

This supernatural thriller stars Helen Mirren as Sarah Winchester, the heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune. The film is based on the true story of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, known for its continuous, bizarre construction and reported hauntings.

6. Deliver Us From Evil

Deliver Us From Evil Official Trailer

This movie is based on the accounts of Ralph Sarchie, a former New York police sergeant who became a demonologist. Sarchie investigated several paranormal cases, which he believes were demonic in nature, during his time with the NYPD.

7. The Conjuring

The Conjuring Official Trailer

The film is based on the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, particularly the haunting of the Perron family in their Rhode Island farmhouse in the 1970s. The Warrens were famous paranormal investigators who claimed to have investigated over 10,000 cases during their career.

8. The Possession

The Possession Official Trailer

This movie was inspired by the story of a wine cabinet, known as the “Dybbuk Box,” which was sold on eBay along with an accompanying horror story. The box was said to be haunted by a dybbuk, a restless, usually malicious spirit believed to be able to haunt and even possess the living.

9. The Rite

The Rite Official Trailer

Based on the book “The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist” by Matt Baglio, the film follows the experiences of Father Gary Thomas, a Catholic priest from California who was sent to study exorcism at the Vatican.

10. The Haunting in Connecticut

The Haunting in Connecticut Official Trailer

This movie is based on the alleged haunting of the Snedeker family in Southington, Connecticut, in the 1980s. The family claimed their house, which was a former funeral home, was haunted by malevolent spirits. The case was investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren.

11. Stuck (2007)

Stuck Official Trailer

This film is based on the case of Chante Jawan Mallard, who hit a homeless man with her car and left him lodged in the windshield to die.

12. Borderland (2007)

Borderland Official Trailer

Loosely based on the life of cult leader and serial killer Adolfo Constanzo, this movie follows three friends who encounter a cult practicing human sacrifice in Mexico.

13. Black Water (2007)

Black Water Official Trailer

Inspired by a real crocodile attack in Northern Australia in 2003, this movie tells the story of a family vacation gone wrong due to a deadly crocodile encounter.

14. The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Exorcism of Emily Rose Official Trailer

Loosely based on the case of Anneliese Michel, a young German woman who underwent an exorcism and later died, the film explores the tragic consequences of a failed exorcism.

15. Open Water (2003)

Open Water Official Trailer

This film is based on the true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, who were left behind in the open ocean by their scuba diving group.

16. Things Heard & Seen (2021)

Things Heard & Seen Official Trailer

Based on the novel “All Things Cease to Appear” by Elizabeth Brundage, this film explores the sinister secrets of a couple’s new home in a historic hamlet.

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Thrills and Chills: Ranking ‘Radio Silence’ Films from Bloody Brilliant to Just Bloody

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Radio Silence Films

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella are all filmmakers under the collective label called Radio Silence. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are the primary directors under that moniker while Villella produces.

They have gained popularity over the past 13 years and their films have become known as having a certain Radio Silence “signature.” They are bloody, usually contain monsters, and have breakneck action sequences. Their recent film Abigail exemplifies that signature and is perhaps their best film yet. They are currently working on a reboot of John Carpenter’s Escape From New York.

We thought we would go through the list of projects they have directed and rank them from high to low. None of the movies and shorts on this list are bad, they all have their merits. These rankings from top to bottom are just ones we felt showcased their talents the best.

We didn’t include movies they produced but didn’t direct.

#1. Abigail

An update to the second film on this list, Abagail is the natural progression of Radio Silence’s love of lockdown horror. It follows in pretty much the same footsteps of Ready or Not, but manages to go one better — make it about vampires.

Abigail

#2. Ready or Not

This film put Radio Silence on the map. While not as successful at the box office as some of their other films, Ready or Not proved that the team could step outside their limited anthology space and create a fun, thrilling, and bloody adventure-length film.

Ready or Not

#3. Scream (2022)

While Scream will always be a polarizing franchise, this prequel, sequel, reboot — however you want to label it showed just how much Radio Silence knew the source material. It wasn’t lazy or cash-grabby, just a good time with legendary characters we love and new ones who grew on us.

Scream (2022)

#4 Southbound (The Way Out)

Radio Silence tosses their found footage modus operandi for this anthology film. Responsible for the bookend stories, they create a terrifying world in their segment titled The Way Out, which involves strange floating beings and some sort of time loop. It’s kind of the first time we see their work without a shaky cam. If we were to rank this entire film, it would remain at this position on the list.

Southbound

#5. V/H/S (10/31/98)

The film that started it all for Radio Silence. Or should we say the segment that started it all. Even though this isn’t feature-length what they managed to do with the time they had was very good. Their chapter was titled 10/31/98, a found-footage short involving a group of friends who crash what they think is a staged exorcism only to learn not to assume things on Halloween night.

V/H/S

#6. Scream VI

Cranking up the action, moving to the big city and letting Ghostface use a shotgun, Scream VI turned the franchise on its head. Like their first one, this film played with canon and managed to win over a lot of fans in its direction, but alienated others for coloring too far outside the lines of Wes Craven’s beloved series. If any sequel was showing how the trope was going stale it was Scream VI, but it managed to squeeze some fresh blood out of this nearly three-decade mainstay.

Scream VI

#7. Devil’s Due

Fairly underrated, this, Radio Silence’s first feature-length film, is a sampler of things they took from V/H/S. It was filmed in an omnipresent found footage style, showcasing a form of possession, and features clueless men. Since this was their first bonafide major studio job it’s a wonderful touchstone to see how far they have come with their storytelling.

Devil’s Due
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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

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The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film
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Horror Movies Releasing This Month – April 2024 [Trailers]

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April 2024 Horror Movies

With only six months until Halloween, it is surprising how many horror movies will be released in April. People are still scratching their heads as to why Late Night With the Devil wasn’t an October release since it has that theme already built in. But who’s complaining? Certainly not us.

In fact, we are elated because we are getting a vampire movie from Radio Silence, a prequel to an honored franchise, not one, but two monster spider movies, and a film directed by David Cronenberg’s other child.

It’s a lot. So we have provided you with a list of movies with help from the internet, their synopsis from IMDb, and when and where they will drop. The rest is up to your scrolling finger. Enjoy!

The First Omen: In theaters April 5

The First Omen

A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

Monkey Man: In theaters April 5

Monkey Man

An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.

Sting: In theaters April 12

Sting

After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.

In Flames: In theaters April 12

In Flames

After the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.

Abigail: In Theaters April 19

Abigail

After a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

The Night of the Harvest: In theaters April 19

The Night of the Harvest

Aubrey and her friends go geocaching in the woods behind an old cornfield where they are trapped and hunted by a masked woman in white.

Humane: In theaters April 26

Humane

In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes horribly awry.

Civil War: In theaters April 12

Civil War

A journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

Cinderella’s Revenge: In select theaters April 26

Cinderella summons her fairy godmother from an ancient flesh-bound book to get revenge on her evil stepsisters and stepmother who abuse her daily.

Other horror movies on streaming:

Bag of Lies VOD April 2

Bag of Lies

Desperate to save his dying wife, Matt turns to The Bag, an ancient relic with dark magic. The cure demands a chilling ritual and strict rules. As his wife heals, Matt’s sanity unravels, facing terrifying consequences.

Black Out VOD April 12 

Black Out

A Fine Arts painter is convinced that he is a werewolf wreaking havoc on a small American town under the full moon.

Baghead on Shudder and AMC+ on April 5

A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement – Baghead – a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.

Baghead

Infested: on Shudder April 26

Residents of a rundown French apartment building battle against an army of deadly, rapidly reproducing spiders.

Infested
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