10 Scary AF Horror Movies Inspired by Real Events

Some of our favorite scary movies are ones based on, or at least inspired by, real events. Whether they involve serial killers ripped from the headlines or exorcism cases that purportedly happened in real life, these are our favorite horror flicks inspired by real events.

'Pyscho' (1960)

Short of Hannibal Lecter, is there a more iconic Hollywood serial killer than Norman Bates? This outwardly calm (but inwardly violent) hotel owner was like nothing moviegoers had ever seen. Unless they read the newspapers, that is. Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel was heavily inspired by notorious Wisconsin murderer/grave robber Ed Gein, who -- like Bates -- was also a cross-dresser and built a secret shrine to his dead mother.  

'The Exorcist' (1973)

“The Exorcist” is the granddaddy of all demonic possession movies, and still widely regarded as one of the most terrifying films ever made. Perhaps it helps that the 1971 novel, was inspired by a 1949 exorcism case involving a boy named Roland Doe. Director William Friedkin pored over diaries and first-hand accounts of the exorcism in order to provide as authentic a portrayal as possible of the grisly ritual.   

'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974)

One of the reasons 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' is so skilled at scaring the bejeezus out of viewers is that it’s all too easy to imagine driving around rural Texas and being captured by a family of cannibal killers. Contrary to what the marketing would have you believe, the film wasn't exactly based on a true story. However, the character of Leatherface and some of the plot elements were inspired by Ed Gein.  

'Poltergeist' (1982)

Considered by many to be the best Steven Spielberg film that Spielberg didn’t officially direct, “Poltergeist” offered an engaging but frightening look at a family tormented by restless spirits from an Indian burial ground. The film was loosely inspired by the real life account of the Hermann family, who supposedly saw their Long Island home become spook central in early 1958. "Poltergeist" is even more notable for the sinister reputation it developed after release. Several actors, including Dominique Dunne and Heather O’Rourke, died tragic early deaths, leading to the belief that the production itself was cursed.

'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)

This slasher franchise got progressively more goofy over the course of the '80s and '90s, but the original "Nightmare on Elm Street" retains the power to chill and unnerve. On one hand, it's got some great, gory death scenes (especially that Johnny Depp blood geyser). On the other, it's a film all about the terror of knowing that you're not safe in your own dreams. What's more creepy than that?

'Bram Stoker’s Dracula' (1992)

Count Dracula is easily one of the most iconic fictional characters of any genre, much less horror. A lot of his appeal stems from his status as a cursed, immortal outcast -- and the fact that he was inspired by real-life Wallachian prince Vlad the Impaler. Vlad is a folk hero in modern-day Romania, feared because of his bloodthirsty exploits and beloved for his role in protecting Europe from Eastern invaders. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 “Dracula” adaptation stands out because it delved so heavily into the titular vampire’s back-story. He might have been the villain of the movie, but he was also a profoundly tragic character who only sought to reclaim the love that was taken from him.  

'Ravenous' (1999)

1999 was a surprisingly great year for horror films, and it’s a shame that “Ravenous” didn’t receive nearly as much attention as “The Sixth Sense” or "Blair Witch Project." "Ravenous" was inspired both by stories of the infamous Donner Party in the 1840’s and prospector Alferd Packer’s doomed expedition in 1876. We don’t think Packer returned from the wilderness with unholy strength and power gained from eating the flesh of his fellow travelers, but it’s easy to see how his fascinating story informed the events of the film and its depiction of the twisted Col. Colquhoun (Robert Carlyle).  

'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005)

“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” stands out as one of the better modern exorcist movie efforts, in part because it blends traditional demonic scares with a conflict involving an agnostic lawyer (Laura Linney) defending an exorcist (Tom Wilkinson) charged with negligent homicide. Like “The Exorcist,” “Emily Rose” drew from real events during its development. The script was inspired by the account of Anneliese Michel, a German-Catholic woman who died in 1976 after two priests attempted to perform an exorcism using psychotropic drugs.    

'The Haunting in Connecticut' (2009)

This horror film didn’t exactly break new ground when it hit theaters in 2009. But it managed to deliver a steady stream of scares, along with compelling, grounded performances.  And once again, the fact that it was inspired by true events helped (though the accuracy of those events is often debated). The film was based on the story of the Snedeker family in 1986, who moved into a former mortuary and encountered strange phenomena.  

'The Conjuring' (2013)

James Wan's hit horror film birthed an entire franchise based on the exploits of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. This approach resonated with both critics and audiences, spawning a sequel and spinoff.