The stories behind famous Halloween horror movie homes
You might want to avoid trick-or-treating in these houses on Halloween.
When it comes to horror movies, many places can become as famous as the characters. Whether a film features a haunted house or is set in a spooky location, many of those famous spooky houses still stand today.
Here are the real-life dwellings and locations where some of your favorite scary movies were filmed.
“The Amityville Horror”
In 1974, 23-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed his parents and siblings while they slept in their beds. A year later, a new family, the Lutz’s, purchased the DeFeo home known as “The Amityville Horror” home.
After moving to the Long Island, New York home, the family reportedly experienced supernatural phenomena and were evicted from the home — as revealed in the 1977 book and 1979 film. The actual house still stands and has become a tourist attraction of sorts and has been featured in several Amityville Horror films based on the original, “true” story.
‘The incantation’
Similar to The Amityville Horror, The Conjuring claims to be based on a true story. Like the Amityville, New York home, the Rhode Island residence was also investigated by real-life ghostbusters Ed and Lorraine Warren.
While the house and its history were relatively unknown prior to the film, it has since gained notoriety. In 2021 the house was put up for sale by its owners, who only bought the property in 2019. Ghostly incidents were reportedly still happening at the house, Fox News Digital reported in 2019. The owners had hoped to open the house to other paranormal enthusiasts like themselves.
‘Scream’
Fortunately, “Scream” is not based on a true story. However, scenes from the film were filmed in a real house in Northern California. In 2021, it was announced that the property would be available for bookings on Airbnb and would feature performances by the Ghostface killer (or an actor wearing the iconic mask).
“Hocus Pocus”
Salem, Mass., is a popular tourist destination around Halloween, thanks to the area’s history of witch trials. Many tourists apparently like to visit a private house that was used in the movie “Hocus Pocus”.
The house still has the same exterior as in the film and together with its location at the end of a street, it’s easy for fans to spot.
‘ghostbusters’
There are many fire stations in New York City, but there is only one that is also known for fighting ghosts. The Hook & Ladder Company 8 fire station was used for exterior shots in Ghostbusters. The firehouse still stands today, and while it is a fully operational fire station for the FDNY, it has openly assumed its place in film history.
It has become a popular spot for fans to visit and take photos. Because of its location, many of the firefighters stationed in the home were among the first responders to the 9/11 World Trade Center scene.
‘Rosemary’s Baby’
New York City has many iconic buildings that have housed famous residents. The Dakota Apartment is one such building and is located on West 72nd St. near Central Park. While Judy Garland and John Lennon both lived there, the building was also the setting for the pregnancy horror film Rosemary’s Baby, starring Mia Farrow.
John Lennon was also shot in front of the building in 1980.
bug juice
Unfortunately, Beetlejuice’s iconic house was just a facade built for the film. In fact, the entire town of Winter River, Connecticut was created just for the film, with interiors shot on sound stages in California, according to IMDB.
The Maitland Hardware Store location was filmed in Vermont, according to the IMDB website.
extraterrestrial
Ridley Scott’s classic Alien has often been called a haunted house film set in space. However, it may come as a surprise that the film’s setting wasn’t actually an actual spaceship.
Instead, The Nostromo’s dimly lit corridors were just sets built in a studio in England, according to IMDB.
