Horror movies have long been popular and with good reason! Stories of intrigue, fear, mystery, and more captivate audiences all over the world. But, there is no denying that some of the most famous and popular horror movies are those based on real-life events. After all, what could be more terrifying than knowing that some of the scariest things that happen on screen could happen to you? So, let’s get to know a little more about these truly terrifying films! Here are some “fun” facts about horror movies based on true stories!
1. The Amityville Horror
One of the most famous examples of movies based on true stories is The Amityville Horror. The story is supposedly based on the alleged real-life paranormal experiences of the Lutz family in their Amityville, New York, home in 1975.
2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Another great example is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The 1974 film drew inspiration from the horrific crimes of serial killer Ed Gein. He was known for making items from the human remains of his victims.
3. Psycho
Interestingly, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre wasn’t the only film that serial killer Ed Gein inspired. He was also the inspiration for one of the most famous horror movies of all time, Psycho. And, when you see the movie, you can definitely see how he was the inspiration for writing the twisted character of Norman Bates!
4. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
This modern take on the exorcism theme is reportedly based on the story of Anneliese Michel. She was a German woman who underwent exorcism rituals in the 1970s. And, of course, the movie that kicked everything off is also based on real events…
5. The Exorcist
As weird as it sounds, classic horror movie The Exorcist was inspired by the real-life exorcism of a boy known as “Roland Doe” in the 1940s. We’re not sure if his head spun around 360 degrees, but… let’s not go there.
6. The Conjuring Movies
Terrifyingly, the characters in the Conjuring series of movies are based loosely on real-life people! The first movie is based on the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. They were indeed a real-life married couple who explored and documented suspected hauntings! Thankfully, many of the stories on the big screen have added a little artistic licence… or have they?!
7. Open Water
Open Water tells something of a tragic tale based around a real-life disappearance. Tom and Eileen Lonergan were left behind by a scuba diving tour group in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Since Tom and Eileen were never found, no one knows what truly happened to them, so most of the events in the film were imagined.
8. Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek was yet another film based on true events – or, rather, the antagonist of the film was based on the backpacker murders committed by Ivan Milat in Australia. We’re hopeful, again, that artistic licence was used here…
9. The Girl Next Door
Shockingly, the film The Girl Next Door was inspired by the real-life case of Sylvia Likens, who suffered horrific abuse in the 1960s. Her horrific life does not make for comfortable reading – research her name at your own risk.
10. The Haunting of Connecticut
And, as yet another paranormal film, The Haunting of Connecticut was also supposedly based on alleged real-life facts. It was based on the Snedeker family’s reported experiences with paranormal activity in a former funeral home in Connecticut. There seems to be plenty of movies based on supposed real-life hauntings!
FAQs about Horror Movies Based on True Stories
What Netflix horror movie is based on a real story?
Netflix has hosted a few films based on true stories. Among the most famous they’ve hosted on their streaming library have included The Conjuring, Veronica, and Nova: Arctic Ghost Ship.
Is Veronica a real story?
The Netflix film Veronica is, believe it or not, based on real events. The movie is based on the Vallecas case – feel free to read up on it!
What is the scariest horror movie based on a true story?
That all depends on your tastes – and arguably, all horror movies based on true stories are scary! However, among the scariest are Zodiac, Poltergeist, and The Exorcist.
Further reading
https://facts.uk/tag/horror
https://www.timeout.com/film/best-horror-films
https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-horror-movies-of-all-time-1234597766/
Do you know any fun facts about horror movies based on true stories? Share them in the comments below!
