by Erik Winther
As Halloween approaches, many people delve into the world of horror and fear. This fascination with all things scary has led to many great horror films being created. These movies can bring out deep fear or allow friends to laugh at the fates of the people on the screen. Whatever the emotion, horror movies are a necessity for any Halloween celebration. Some of these infamous movies were filmed on sets with very creepy backgrounds.
The Omen (1976)
The Omen is one of the best horror movie on Netflix. On the set of The Omen, there were several strange occurrences that have been dubbed “the Curse of the Omen”. Not only did the lead actor, Gregory Peck cancel his flight that ended in a crash, his son committed suicide two months before the filming started. The scriptwriter and executive producer separately were on a plane hit by lightning. In addition, the animal handler was later attacked by a lion. This curse seemed to continue into the remake of the film.
The Omen (2006)
The Omen continued the curse of its original with 13,500 feet of film being lost in the production lab. The actor Pete Postlethwaite lost his brother after drawing three sixes in a card game. This curse may be just a serious of unfortunate events or could continue with the upcoming prequel.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project was a lost footage film that gave horror a new direction. This creepy story takes place in a frightful wooded setting. The scenery and fear the actors portray came to life and allowed viewers to really feel the hunger and lost feelings of the actors.
The movie had no set script for the three improv actors. A few prompts left at specific markers gave them clues on the direction to take. During the eight days of filming, the actors were given less and less food in their direction drops. This irritability and hunger were seen throughout their short-fused moments on the screen. There were moments throughout the film where the actors were startled and frightened by various noises in the dark. However, the real moments came in arguments between the actors that, at one point, the film crew had to intervene.
Although there were no deaths or tragedies during the actual filming of the movie, the marketing of the film led people to believe the actors had died. This ultimately led to the death of their careers.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby is a frightful film of a mother who is carrying the devil’s child. It seemed this film put a curse on those involved in its making. Roman Polanski lost his pregnant wife a year later, murdered by the Manson Family.
As hate mail and threats poured in about the film, producer William Castle was rushed to the hospital with kidney failure and finds the film’s composer is there dying of a brain clot.
Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist shows the story of a family whose daughter is taken to the spirit world. Many tragedies were faced by the cast and crew of this horror flick, including the death of the child star, Heather O’Rourke. Many people attribute these acts to be retribution for the use of real, human skeletons in the water scene.
Poltergeist (2015)
The set of the Poltergeist remake was already clouded with the gloom of the deaths of many of the original cast. This made many of the cast and crew uneasy on set. The electrical issues on the set only increased that uncomfortable feeling. Gil Kenan, however, seemed to acquire a ghost at the home the director rented during filming. He claims this ghost is still following him after leaving the rental. As for other aspects of the curse, only time will tell if this cast and crew meet the same fate.
The Amityville Horror (1979 and 2008)
The Amityville Horror and its remake were based on the true events that occurred in a home thirteen months after six family members were killed by the oldest son. James Brolin, the star of the original production, had pants fall to the floor in the middle of the night during the reading of the book before the start of filming. Ryan Reynolds, the star of the remake, found that he was waking up at 3:15 every morning just as his character in the movie did. In addition, just before filming the remake, the body of a fisherman inexplicably washed up on shore.
The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is a frightfully true story of the ghostly activity experienced by the Perron family. During filming at the Perron family’s previous home, many strange occurrences were noticed. These included strange sounds and static on the phone during conversations between the screenwriters and noted demonologist, Lorraine Warren. There was even an incident of a puppy barking and growling at an empty corner and a laptop that appeared to have claw marks across the screen.
The most creepy of all these incidents were the wind gusts that would blow through the set every time the real-life Perrons would visit. These things would make any skeptic believe in the paranormal.
The Exorcist (1973)
Loosely based on a true story, The Exorcist is a horrifying movie that caused paramedics to be dispatched to various movie theaters due to audience members fainting. This film attracted death threats that required the child star to have bodyguards for months after the release.
During the production, filming was delayed for six weeks due to a fire that burned much of the set, leaving only the bedroom set of Regan, the possessed child, untouched by flames. There is still no explanation for the two crew members deaths that occurred during production. However, they were just the start, as seven more cast and crew members died shortly after the film, leaving many to wonder if maybe they were dealing with something better left alone.
The Possession (2012)
The Possession is a flick that focuses on a cursed Dybbuk box. The movie utilizes Jewish myths and fables to create a frightful story for moviegoers. However, the cast and crew may have been more frightened by the incidents than the story.
During production, it became common for lights to explode or chilly breezes to blow through the set with no explanation. This kept many of the cast and crew on edge throughout filming. However, the most disturbing incident was a fire in the storage facility where the replica Dybbuk box was being held. Investigators could find no evidence of a cause for the destructive blaze that burnt the facility to the ground.
These incidents on movie sets have created many questions in the minds of those associated with the flicks and even fans of such movies. Whether due to paranormal activity or just strange coincidence, these tales can help boost the thrills and heighten the fear of audience members year after year.
Erik Winther is a passionate video producer from Southern California and the creator of Netflix Guides, a site to help all TV and movie enthusiasts keep up with the latest shows coming on Netflix.
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