“What’s your favorite scary movie?” In honor of the Halloween holiday tomorrow, the SiftPop crew has gotten together and ranked the Best Ever Haunted House Movies. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
If you watch What Lies Beneath, it feels like it’s a suspenseful thriller. But when you add the supernatural feel on top, you get a completely different story. Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer play a couple dealing with strange occurrences happening in their home. To me, it does start off slow, but when the spooky and unknown things start it keeps me interested and enjoying the story. There are a few scares and twists, but it still works as a scary movie. Pfeiffer is great as a housewife looking for answers to the terrors happening in and out of her home without being seen crazy. Ford isn’t bad as the brooding, professor/scientist husband with a secret. What Lies Beneath is a slow burn film until the third act when all hell breaks loose. It’s worth the watch. (Chantal Ashford)
You can never explain something like this. And if you were able to. the odds are you wouldn’t much care for the answer. Before he did Doctor Strange, Scott Derrickson wrote (alongside his writing partner C. Robert Cargill) and directed Sinister. Starring Ethan Hawke, the story revolves around Hawke as a true crime writer who seems to have lost his steam, so in an effort to find the best story he moves his family into the home of the victims he is writing about. Oh, and also he doesn’t tell his family about the history of the house, so there’s that. Where things turn really sinister (I promise it’s the only pun I’ll make) is when he finds a box full of old film reels which are some of the scariest things you’ll ever see. Sinister is excellent for several reasons. First and foremost is that the real villain of the story is Hawke’s character, and not a possessed Hawke, just himself and his pursuit of success regardless of the side-effects. It also is one of the scariest movies, as mentioned, and while it contains no sex, nudity, or harsh language, still earns an “R” from the MPAA (which is a broken system, but that’s another story). And the last reason I’ll list (though there are many more) is that the whole movie, but especially the end, are so original that it cements itself as one of the best horror movies of all-time. (Aaron Schweitzer)
Before Scary Movie 3 could spoof this gothic horror film with its ridiculous Michael Jackson gag, The Others caught the attention of audiences everywhere. Do you know the twist? If not, don’t look it up! Treat yourself this Halloween season and immerse yourself into this dark and grim gothic mansion. Nicole Kidman leads the way with a passionate and committed performance as she will do anything she can to protect her children who are harmed by light. The Others offers all the proper trappings of gothic terror with a foreboding presence and grim visuals. Equal parts terror and equal parts love, what else would you want from good old traditional gothic story-telling? This film will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat as you get lost in this spooky ghost story. (Shane Conto)
I’m not always the biggest fan of horror movies like this, but when a team like James Wan and Leigh Whannell are involved, it always has me intrigued. I always think of Wan and Whannell to be kings in the horror genre. Ever since their success with the Saw franchise from the previous decade, it’s nice to see them reunite for Insidious. The story follows a family that’s noticing their new house could possibly be haunted after they see mysterious figures appearing late at night after their son goes into a coma. Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson play as the mother and father, and they both work well with one another. I do think the best performance is Lin Shaye, her character is a sort of Medium that deals with the paranormal. Once her character enters the movie, they introduce something that I won’t spoil here, but makes the 3rd act thrilling and easily the best part of the movie to me. I typically don’t care for jumpscares, but there’s one in this movie that I absolutely love. So if you are wanting to add a good haunting movie to your list, then I urge you to add Insidious. (Alex Henderson)
It’s Halloween time and while I do not count myself as a horror fan, Cabin in the Woods squeaks into one of my more favored films and certainly near the top in the horror genre. Paying homage to films that came before it, Cabin in the Woods first comes off as an Evil Dead proxy. You soon find out that the characters in this cabin are treated more to a “choose your own adventure” of their haunting. The film is amazingly imaginative and respectful of the genre while breaking it open and doing its own thing. The cast is fantastic, and the story keeps you guessing the first watch and rewards you repeatedly on subsequent viewings. While this film stands strongly as a solo horror offering and leaves me wondering more about its world-building and what more this could offer if there was ever a chance at a sequel, er… spin-off? You’ll see for yourself. Cabin in the Woods is a great horror film that also lends plenty of comic relief and surprises to entertain horror and more casual audiences alike. (Evan Lucken)
James Wan of Saw fame, helmed one of the best possession horror films in recent memory with The Conjuring (2013). Despite being loosely based off of the paranormal exploits of real life Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film plays out more like a reality well written fanfiction. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga who play the Warren’s are the soul of this film and make you want to travel further into the world of the occult. They are thoroughly fleshed out and deeply humanized in a genre that has never delved too deep into characterization. The Conjuring was a sort of turning point in the overall genre and helped usher along a stronger narrative base in horror films. This is not to say there were not films that existed that went this route, but they were the exception and not the rule. The story of the Warren’s being called frauds and constantly trying to defend their work makes you sympathize with their efforts. Especially when they are called upon to investigate the Perron family’s new home and skepticism is slowly tossed out the window as an unexplained phenomenon begins to take place. The Conjuring is full of scares, but more importantly is backed by a well constructed story to possess the viewer in it’s icy grip. (Joe Vargas)
Within the haunted house movie subgenre, a lot of the movies start with a similar approach. A new person or group comes into contact with the haunted house environment and begins experiencing whatever that house has to offer. However, it is not often that we actually get the perspective from the haunted side, which is precisely what Tim Burton captures with Beetlejuice.
Among Burton’s filmography, Beetlejuice is easily one of his most digestible films and is a clear fan favorite. His unique filmmaking style that is already supremely unsettling lends itself perfectly to the story of a recently deceased couple frantically trying to protect their home from the new tenants. Beetlejuice really caters directly to Burton’s specific strengths as a filmmaker. The effects are practical and still hold up extremely well even 32 years later. The story is funny and heartfelt, while layering absurdity and disturbing imagery.And above all, the cast is absolutely top tier. Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and of course Michael Keaton are giving career defining performances. They are all giving very big and outlandish performances, but they all fit within the context of the story Burton is trying to tell. Beetlejuice checks all the boxes of being a classic movie and continues to hold up as an all-time favorite film. (Nashua Doll)
Poltergeist is a movie that comes from a great film pedigree (coming at the height of writer and producer Stephen Spieldbergs’ career), but also one I’ve put it off for quite a while due to my unease with scary movies. While some of the special effects are a bit outdated, it is more than made up for with phenomenal acting and a compelling story that moves masterfully from scenes of warmth to scenes of sheer terror. Every moment feels needed, as you begin to understand how those in the spirit realm affect the family, and the eventual cause of the spirits possessing the house. Just as you think this movie is about to let you go, it masterfully grasps you and refuses to let go until the very end as you begin to wonder if the Freeling family can make it out alive. I am very glad that I have finally watched this classic, although I’ve since had to move the tv from my bedroom. (Joseph Davis)
When the evils of the world are unleashed from the cursed binding of the Necronomicon in a haunted cabin in the woods, who will be the savior of humanity? Ash Williams of course! This darkly funny and still terrifying horror flick has become a classic and launching the cool career of Bruce Campbell. Campbell stars as the hapless college student who must fight off the crazy terrors of Deadites and his own possessed hand. Sam Raimi made a name for himself with his high energy and gory romps, but with Evil Dead 2 he takes his own film and basically remakes it to fulfill his vision. Grab your chainsaws and fight back before those disturbing Deadites can swallow your soul! (Shane Conto)
The best horror films chill you to the core and fill you with dread, but leave you with something to ponder about long after viewing it. Masterclass director Stanley Kubrick did just this with his venture into the macabre. He brought the isolated and frigid nature of the Overlook Hotel to life in 1980’s, The Shining. Brilliantly telling the tale of one Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) slowly slipping into madness in the presence of the malevolent Hotel. The tension of this film pours over as you fear for the safety of Jack’s family as he becomes more unstable due to the ill intentioned spirits. The expertly crafted cinematography provided by John Alcott is cranked up by the ominous score created by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind. Prime example of eeriness being the slow steps into the infamous Room 237, the score pounding through your chest with each tentative step. One example of many of how the collective creative minds involved with the project injected fear into viewers. Adding character and life to Colorado’s outlying Overlook Hotel keeps me coming back for repeat stays. The Shining is everything that you want to see from a haunted house film, but the layers of complexity is what grips you tightly and won’t allow you to leave. (Joe Vargas)
Honorable Mentions
Casper
When I fired this one up last year for the first time in who knows how many years, I’ll admit I was nervous. While I remember our family had the VHS, I don’t think I’d seen it since then. I was therefore pleasantly surprised at the smile I had plastered all over my face for most of the movie. The film follows a young girl (Christina Ricci) and her dad (Bill Pullman) as he is hired to rid a mansion of ghouls at the behest of its greedy owner wanting to get her hands on the treasure within. The relationship Ricci develops with the titular ghost (Malachi Pearson) is heartwarming and Ricci puts in a charismatic lead performance. The film was also ground-breaking for special effects, as Casper was the first CGI character to have a leading role in a live-action film. It’s not great by any means, but I think for those who remember it fondly or have a young audience to entertain, it may still do the trick. (Jake Bourgeois)
Monster House
Every kid needs a little bit of trauma in their lives, and that’s exactly what this film delivers. Shot in a strange, Coraline-style stop-motion looking performance capture animation, this film is creepy on a variety of levels. First, you have the ‘strange old man who lives across the street’ trope. Second, there’s the mysterious disappearances and uncovered conspiracy that’s affecting the neighbourhood. Finally, there’s a creepy haunted house that is very much malicious in its intentions. All this comes together to result in a surprisingly effective scary movie that teeters right on the line between horror and family movie, resulting in a pretty good time for all. Sure, there are some scenes that go a bit far with the jump scares and the grotesque nature of the characters, and the characters tend to have that deadeye Polar Express look about them – however all this serves the story in a fashion that allows it to come together into a masterful exercise in scaring the younger demographic. It has enough of this to keep the adults entertained, while also introducing this younger audience to the concept that not all is well and good in the world – and sometimes you have to blow up something to bring safety to those around you….it could be I misinterpreted that last bit. Overall, however, this is a fun time that is sure to keep you entertained on Halloween night as you and your family sit down to enjoy your various treats. (Alice Micheli)
The Haunting
If you’re searching for a great haunted-house chiller to celebrate Halloween, don’t look any further than Robert Wise’s 1963 film, The Haunting, which is based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House. The story follows three people (Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, and Russ Tamblyn) who are invited by a paranormal researcher (Richard Johnson) to investigate a house that’s said to be haunted. All four leads are terrific, making a compelling group to watch as their characters go deeper and deeper into the terror within the house. The film is a masterclass in how to use sound to make you shiver, adding to the gothic nature of the house that amazes you with its stunning details. This is a classic haunted-house story, as it doesn’t try to do too much, but instead uses small techniques that create powerful effects on the viewer. While the acting, directing, and screenwriting are all top-of-the-line, the atmospherics are what really help make this movie what it is, due to the impressive set design, sounds, and music. Watching this film will provide the feeling of walking through a haunted house at a Halloween festival, and it’s a horror-movie experience to which you should treat yourself while sitting in the comfort of your living room with the lights turned off and a bowl of candy corn on your lap. (Vincent Abbatecola)
The Woman in Black
I am a fan of Daniel Radcliff. I think that his choices following the Harry Potter Series have been very interesting and shows that he likes to try different things and after being a child star in one of the worlds largest franchises in history, it’s impressive that he hasn’t been typecast or pigeonholed and it’s thanks to his choices following. The Woman in Black is the first film in his filmography after HP and I went into it wondering what he had to offer and I was pleasantly surprised. This spooky tale shows some amazing patience. While the film clocks in at just over an hour and a half, every moment will lull you into eerie unrest. What’s great is that while scary movies have conditioned viewers to jump scares and anticipate the frightening moments, this is where The Woman in Black shows a lot of restraint. You expect a look around the corner to have something jump out at you, but it doesn’t, then they turn around. Still nothing. It really waits for you to feel naturally scary aspects of a creepy abandoned house and when you have grown almost comfortable with it, then it hits you. I really liked this movie when it came out. It felt different because while every other scary film was trying to be innovative, this film aimed for a more traditional approach and left me frighteningly satisfied. I should also note that at no point while watching the movie did I see Radcliffe as Harry Potter, so he did a great job of shaking that persona and delivered a great performance. (Evan Lucken)
House on Haunted Hill
Ok, admittedly I don’t like to watch scary movies with haunted houses and the like (the tunnel scene from Willy Wonk still gives me nightmares), but this week I decided to make an exception. House on Haunted Hill, a 1959 film starring Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long and others, starts as a tried and true haunted house story: a millionaire and his wife host a party of five people with one goal in mind, survive a night in the haunted house and receive $10,000. However, it soon becomes apparent that there may be something to the stories of those who met their grisly end at the house. While this is one of the shorter movies for the week (coming in at a brisk 75 minutes), it is a very entertaining supernatural horror film that leaves you trying to figure out who will kill first: man or ghost. While it is campy at times, it elevates this movie and makes it all the more entertaining and well worth the watch. (Joseph Davis)
Also see: 1408, Amityville Horror, Crimson Peak, Paranormal Activity, Scary Movie 2, The Haunted Mansion, Thir13en Ghost
Agree with the 1963 “The Haunting”, plus the 1973 , ‘The Legend if Hell House’.