31 Days of Horror Lists by the Losman- Haunted Houses

For the month of October, I will put out a list of Top 10s on a number of subjects each day. This should be fun, as I would enjoy feedback and discussion on my list and welcome feedback on how to improve it, as I plan on featuring it on my website.

Top 10 Haunted Houses in Horror Movies

The Haunting (1963) 

Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel is considered one of the best ghost stories of the 20th century. The house featured in 1963 is as much a part of the movie as the actors involved. Relying more on pure terror than horror, The Haunting is a terrifying movie that does not use blood and gore, let alone any visible spooks. The house used for the movie's exterior is Ettington Park, located in Warwickshire, UK.   

Poltergeist (1982) 

Using state-of-the-art special effects and the acting talents of Craig T Nelson and JoBeth Williams, we are presented with one of the most frightening PG movies ever made. Surprisingly, there is no blood or gore, an ironic note to Director Tobe Hooper, best known for directing The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Hooper and Steven Spielberg's intense horror classic was set in a seemingly normal American home in California. 

The Conjuring (2013) 

Ed and Lorraine Warren are paranormal investigators who visit the home of the Perron family in this 2013 film inspired by actual events. Although the movie was set in Rhode Island, the house used for the film's exterior is located near Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Shining (1980) 

Jack Nicholson is a school teacher turned writer who takes a job as a caretaker at a Colorado resort. He takes his wife and 5-year-old boy along, looking forward to the peace and solitude the resort will offer. The solitude drives him into madness, and his family is on edge as they fear for their lives. The exteriors of the movie were filmed in Oregon near Mount Hood, as the Overlook Hotel is fictional.

The Orphanage (2007) 

A woman and her family return to the orphanage where she grew up in the hopes of turning it into a home for disabled children. Once there, she encounters a tragic event that will push her to discover the darker secrets of the house she grew up in. The Orphanage is a Spanish movie filmed in Llanes, Asturias, at the Partarriu Manor, with interiors filmed in Barcelona. 

The Changeling (1980) 

George C. Scott is a composer who becomes the caretaker of a mansion after the death of his wife and daughter in an auto accident. He then discovers that the house may be haunted by an angry spirit that wants to communicate. There are many terrifying moments to keep up the suspense as we learn the real truth behind the ghost. The film takes place in Seattle, but the house used for the film is the Hatley Castle in Colwood, British Columbia. 

The Amityville Horror (1979) 

The best-selling novel by Jay Anson is told in shocking detail as the events of the Lutz family stay are portrayed. The house is filled with evil and soon takes control of the father and daughter as the family discovers the shocking secret. Like the book, the movie was a big hit, and the Long Island house crept into the minds of a country shuttered at Amityville. The house is in Amityville, New York, but the exteriors were filmed in New Jersey after city officials refused to allow filming at the actual home.

Paranormal Activity (2007) 

A young couple moves into a home in San Diego and begins to encounter bizarre events. After setting up cameras, the audience witnesses the series of events that lead up to a tragic conclusion. The house is located in Rancho Penasquitos, California, near San Diego.

The Legend of Hell House (1973) 

A physicist, his wife, and some mediums lead a team to investigate the notorious Belasco House. The reputation of Hell House stems from previous visitors who have died or gone mad, and this group hopes to survive a full week and solve its mysteries. The exterior shots of the house were filmed in Wykhurst Park, West Sussex, UK. 

The House on Haunted Hill (1959) 

Vincent Price plays an eccentric millionaire who invites a group of people to a haunted mansion and wagers them $10,000 to spend the night. The house is rumored to have resulted in the deaths of seven people so far. The exterior shots of the house were filmed at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Ennis House in Los Feliz, California.

31 Days of Horror Lists by the Losman- Deadly Sea Creatures

For the month of October I will put out a list of Top 10’s on a number of subjects each day, this should be fun as I would enjoy feedback and discussion on my list and will welcome feedback on how to improve the list as I plan on featuring them on my website.

Top 10 Deadly Creatures from the Sea

Sharks- One of the top predators of the sea, since Jaws came out in 1975 the Great White Shark has become one of the most feared of all sharks and continues to be featured in many other films. Many of the species are just as deadly and have been featured as well. 

Best: Jaws (1975), Deep Blue Sea (1999), Open Water (2003)

Worst: Jaws 3D (1983) and Jaws- The Revenge (1987)

Fun: Sharknado series.

Killer Whale- Orcas have mostly been portrayed in family-friendly films and more recently in documentaries like Blackfish. They are the top Apex predator of the sea and have only been featured in one horror film yet as a sympathetic antagonist.

Best/Worst: Orca (1977)

 

Piranha- These freshwater fish of the Amazon are feared for their razor-sharp teeth and ability to overwhelm their prey when they swim in large numbers. 

Best: Piranha (1978) and Piranha 3D (2010)

Worst: Piranha 2: The Spawning (1981) and Piranha 3DD (2012)

Gwoemul: This amphibious creature was featured in the Korean film The Host. It is extremely aggressive and feeds on humans. 

Best: The Host (2006)

Crocodile: Large crocodiles and alligators, normally not as aggressive as sharks are still pretty dangerous and have been featured in a number of horror movies. 

Best: Alligator (1960), Lake Placid (1999)

Worst: Eaten Alive (1976)

Amphibious Humanoids: From movies like Creature From the Black Lagoon to Humanoids From the Deep we have a small number of movies featuring human hybrids that often attack males and kidnap females for mating. 

Best: Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), Humanoids From the Deep (1980)

Worst: Screamers (1979)

Crustaceans: Hard-shelled sea creatures have been featured in a few movies, mostly large or oversized. 

Best: The Bay (2012)

Worst: Deep Star Six (1989)

Kraken: Large squid-like creatures with tentacles have been featured in a number of fantasy films as well as movies involving ships at sea. 

Best: Deep Rising (1998)

Worst: Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep (2006)

Octopus: Similar to the stories of the Kraken but smaller, Octopi have appeared in movies where they are often paired with other killer creatures. 

Best: 20,000 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1954), It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955)

Worst: Tentacles (1977)

Devil Fish: These are fish that are often prehistoric or unusually large, often featured in movies meant to capitalize on the success of Jaws.

The Worst: Up From the Depths (1979),  Devil Fish (1984)

 

31 Days of Horror Lists by the Losman- Killer Kids

Top 10 Killer Kids

Here is a collection of killer kids from a number of films, some are old and others are 

more contemporary but all feature children who are dangerous or murderous.

Damien from The Omen (1976)

Creepy children from Village of the Damned (1960)

Gage from Pet Sematary (1989)

Rhonda Penmark is The Bad Seed (1956) 

Issac from Children of the Corn (1984)

The Poe Family in Home Movie (2008)

The murderous mutant kids from The Brood (1979)

It's Alive (1974)

Macauley Culkin in The Good Son (1993)

The Children (1980)

 Honorable Mentions: 

Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)

Jodelle Ferland and Renee Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)

Bonus Round

Esther from The Orphan (2009) was excluded for reasons you will know if

you have watched the movie. She is clever and not one to trust.

31 Days of Horror Lists by the Losman- Boogeymen

Top 10 Horror Movie Boogeymen

Freddy Krueger  (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

A sadistic child killer who was burned alive by angry parents only to see him come back in the form of a boogeyman who haunts the dreams of the children of the parents who killed him. Known for his razor sharp knife glove, fedora, and striped sweater Freddy Krueger has appeared in 9 movies with Robert Englund portraying him in the first eight installments.

Michael Myers (Halloween) 

Often called The Shape, Michael is an escaped mental patient who returned to his hometown to kill teenagers, bystanders, and members of his family. Never speaking, Michael uses a knife or any weapon at hand to kill anyone who crosses his path. Michael has appeared in 9 movies with numerous actors donning the mask that is iconic to his boogeyman appearance. 

The Tall Man (Phantasm)

Angus Schrimm portrayed the enigmatic shapeshifting man in the dark suit who possessed superhuman strength along with the ability to control mysterious little silver globes that could be used to kill with some onboard weapons. He would steal the bodies of dead people and convert them into minions for his evil purposes. He appeared in 5 movies since the first film came in 1979. 

Candyman 

Portrayed by the stoic Tony Todd, The Candyman is a boogeyman legend similar to Bloody Mary who when summoned will kill those foolish enough to test the urban legend. Armed with a bloody hook and accompanied by a swarm of bees; Candyman is terrifying yet strangely sympathetic amongst other boogeymen. Tony Todd has appeared in all 3 Candyman movies. 

The Babadook 

This recent boogeyman is a terrifying figure in black wearing a top hat and capable of shapeshifting. Its power is the result of the repressed grief and fear that a widowed mother and her son face after he brings home the pop-up storybook that seems to unleash the evil spirit into their lives. A creepy and menacing figure who made quite an impact in this Australia horror film directed by Jennifer Kent. 

Pumpkinhead

FX master Stan Winston directed this cautionary tale about a man who summons a boogeyman to seek revenge against those who harmed his beloved son. The grotesque looking creature is truly terrifying and brings with it death along with a terrible price for the one who is foolish enough to call for it. Pumpkinhead would appear in some direct to video sequels and a comic book series. 

Pennywise (It)

One of Stephen King's most infamous creations, Pennywise is a shapeshifting monster that terrorizes and preys on the children of a small Maine town every 27 years. Although it can manifest into any number of terrifying forms, it is the image of a clown that both the miniseries and movie use to personify this most evil of monsters. Tim Curry and Bill Skarsgård portray Pennywise in their unique way in each adaptation released 27 years apart. 

Pale Man (Pan's Labyrinth)

The Pale Man in Pan's Labyrinth, is a menacing child eating monster that the protagonist has to avoid after her inability to follow strict instructions awakens it. Seemingly blind, the creature opens his hands to reveal it does indeed have eyes. Directed by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth is an imaginative and terrifying film that blends a mythical dark world with the oppression of Fascist Europe. 

Krampus

In folklore, Krampus is a creepy looking demon like figure who accompanies Santa Claus to punish naughty children. In the recent film Krampus, a dysfunctional family is attacked by the creature for their lack of Christmas spirit. 

Bughuul (Sinister)

A pagan deity of Babylonian origin, images of the Bagul or Baghuul served as gateways for the demon to appear to our world. Once here it would possess any child who saw its image or possibly abducts them into said image. Sinister is a terrifying film that employs the Baghuul quite efficiently and with a frightening seriousness that will excite fans of horror alike. 

31 Days of Horror Lists by the Losman- Best Killer Clans

Best Killer Family

The Firefly Clan (House of a Thousand

Corpses)

Papa Jupiter’s Clan (The Hills Have Eyes)

Sawyer Family (Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Voorhees Family (Friday The 13th)

Peacock Family (X-Files episode Home)

The Odets (Wrong Turn)

The Koffin Family (Mother’s Day)

Von Geisler Family (Frontiers)

Man and Woman (People Under the Stairs)

Parker Family (We Are What We Are)