The horror films that were really ‘cursed’ – from fatal shooting on set to actress strangled to death
Date: 2024-10-29HORROR films, by design, frighten their audiences – although some have chilling real life tales.
From a fatal shooting to a freak fire and falling sets, some horror movies have been branded “cursed” by fans.
Here is a look at some of the most well-known.
The Crow
1994’s The Crow starred actor Brandon Lee – son of famed martial artist Bruce Lee.
The superhero film was set to be the young actor’s breakthrough role.
During production, Brandon was fatally shot when a prop gun was accidentally loaded with a real bullet.
This bullet hit the 28-year-old in the abdomen and caused his death.
Meanwhile, Bruce Lee himself was only 32 years of age when he died – leading some to suspect the family were somehow cursed.
Annabelle
Although Annabelle told the story of a cursed doll – fans may be shocked by real-life eerie instances on set.
Both Annabelle and its sequel apparently had strange occurrences, including light fixtures reportedly falling and the film’s Annabelle doll moving on its own.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, producer Peter Sarfan said: “In particular, the first day that the demon was shooting in full makeup, we brought him up in the elevator.
“He walks out and walks around to the green room to where we’re holding the talent, and just as he walks under, the entire glass light fixture falls down on his head.
“And in the script, the demon kills the janitor in that hallway.
“It was totally freaky.”
The Omen
1976 supernatural horror The Omen was surrounded with several tragic circumstances around the film‘s production.
Two months before filming, lead actor Gregory Peck faced tragedy after his son took his own life.
While travelling to London for filming The Omen, the Oscar-winning actor’s plane was struck by lightning.
Similarly, producer Mace Neufeld faced the same situation.
They’d also planned to hire a plane for aerial shots in Israel, but the airline switched the planes at the last minute.
That proved to be a lucky escape, as the original plane crashed on takeoff soon after, killing everyone on board.
The chilling incident that really cemented The Omen’s cursed reputation came in a horrific accident after filming wrapped.
Special effects designer John Richardson, who designed the famous decapitation scene, was in a car crash while sculptor Liz Moore was in the passenger seat.
Richardson survived the smash, but Moore was decapitated.
He even claimed that when he stumbled out of the car, he noticed a road sign saying he was 66.6 kilometres away from the town of Ommen.
The crash took place on August 13, 1976 – otherwise known as Friday the 13th.
The Ring Two
Released in 2005, The Ring Two experienced strange events mirroring the spooky film.
In particular, water was used symbolically to represent an evil spirit whereas in real life, the production office flooded.
Meanwhile, costumer Jeannine Bourdaghs had on the Universal lot.
A deer reportedly six foot-tall ran at her – with Bourdaghs saying that had just been feet ahead, the deer likely would have ploughed into her at almost 100 miles an hour.
In the film itself, Samara (Daveigh Chase) attempts to kill Rachael (Naomi Watts) and Aidan (David Dorfman) with a deer.
The Exorcist
Cited as one of the scariest horror films of all time, The Exorcist horror-story production has become as legendarily scary as the movie itself.
As fans know, the 1973 flick followed the demonic possession of a little girl.
In one instance, a freak fire burned down the set being used as the family home at the heart of the story when a bird flew into a circuit box.
Meanwhile, in an eerie twist, the only surviving part in the blaze was the bedroom where the film’s exorcisms were performed.
The crew even called in a real Jesuit priest, Thomas M. King, to bless the set after the incident.
Arguably the biggest reason people believe the film is cursed is the number of chilling deaths associated with its cast.
For Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros, both actors’ characters died in The Excorcist.
However, they also both died in real life soon after filming had been completed.
Stars Linda Blair and Max Von Sydow were also affected – with Linda’s grandfather dying during production and Max’s brother passing away on the first day that Max was on set.
Jason Miller, who played Father Damien Karras, had a brush with death too when he was hit by a motorbike during filming.
Poltergeist
Film buffs have long suspected Poltergeist to be cursed for supposedly using real human remains.
In one scene, the actress JoBeth Williams is dragged into her family’s swimming pool.
As she tries to get out, she bumps into decaying corpses and skeletons.
Williams said: “I assumed that they were prop skeletons made out of plastic or rubber.
“I found out — as did the whole crew — that they were using real skeletons, because it’s far too expensive to make fake skeletons out of rubber.”
Before the third Poltergeist film’s 1988 release, four cast members – including Heather O’Rourke, who starred as Carol Anne in the original movie.
She shockingly died in 1988 aged 12 after suffering cardiac arrest and septic shock.
Dominique Dunne, 22, who played O’Rourke’s character’s older sister, was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend just four months after the film was released.
In 2009, Poltergeist actor Lou Perryman was hacked to death with an axe by an ex-convict who stole his car.
Best horror films to watch this Halloween
Halloween is the perfect time for horror movie to fans to indulge in all the scares, shocks and thrills.
Whether old favourites or a new chilling tale, here are some top picks to watch this Halloween.
- Alien (1979): Starring Sigourney Weaver, this film follows a spaceship crew who investigate a derelict spaceship and are hunted by a dangerous extra-terrestrial creature.
- The Shining (1980): Based on Stephen King’s novel, the movie stars Jack Nicholson as a recovering alcoholic and aspiring novelist who takes a  a job as winter caretaker for a haunted resort hotel. Meanwhile, his young son possesses clairvoyant powers.
- Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): Wes Craven’s horror classic introduced audiences to legendary villain Freddy Kreuger. This movie also notably marked Johnny Depp‘s film debut.
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): An independent horror film, the story follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals. It also introduces the character Leatherface.
- Friday the 13th (1980): Directed by Sean S. Cunningham, this film kicked off a franchise and introduced Jason Vorhees. Â follows a group of teenage camp counselors who are murdered one by one by an unknown killer. Among the cast is a young Kevin Bacon.
- Scream (1996): Written by Kevin Williamson, this film sees Wes Craven pay homage to horror classics – including his own Nightmare on Elm Street. The beginning of a long-running franchise; the cast includes Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.
- Poltergeist (1982): Directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, this supernatural horror film focuses on a family whose home is invaded by ghosts who abduct their daughter.
The Deliverance
Netflix hit The Deliverance – starring Glenn Close – is the most recent film on this list.
Yet, the production also experienced multiple unusual instances one after another.
This included actor Mo’Nique being rushed to hospital – and director Lee Daniels‘ dog dying.
Additionally, the director later revealed how his sister was diagnosed with lung cancer just two days after he filmed a chemotherapy scene with Close.
