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Haunted houses are a popular setting in horror films, often featuring a happy family moving into a large house with a disturbing past. Strange and eerie events unfold, including mysterious sounds, ghostly apparitions, and possession, revealing that the house is haunted and its supernatural inhabitants are unhappy with their new occupants.
The early 2000s saw a surge of haunted house movies, some of which may not have received critical acclaim but still delivered scares that had viewers on edge. These films had audiences anxiously awaiting those spine-chilling moments when the main character would turn around or open a door to confront something terrifying. Here are ten of the most hair-raising haunted house movies from the 2000s.
Scariest Haunted House Movies of the 2000s
The Messengers (2007)
Before Kristen Stewart rose to stardom through the Twilight franchise, she played a role in the horror film titled “The Messengers.” In this movie, the Solomon family relocates from bustling Chicago to a farmhouse in North Dakota. Sinister events unfold as flocks of crows constantly besiege their property, and eerie apparitions appear. While “The Messengers” received criticism from reviewers, primarily due to its lack of originality, one critic likened it to “The Grudge on a Farm.” Despite not being the most innovative film, “The Messengers” still offers a decent haunted house story with a handful of jump scares.
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
“The Haunting in Connecticut” is a movie that lives up to its title, depicting a family moving into a supposedly haunted house in Connecticut, which also served as a mortuary in the past. The film claims to be based on actual events involving the Snedeker family (renamed the Campbell family in the movie) who experienced paranormal phenomena in their home.
There’s even a book called “In a Dark Place: The Story of a True Haunting” that delves into their experiences. However, there are skeptics who argue that the story is not genuine, and even the co-authors of the book have confessed to fabricating parts of it. Whether the story is real or not, “The Haunting in Connecticut” follows familiar horror tropes and relies heavily on jump scares, lacking originality but still managing to induce gasps from its audience.
The Skeleton Key (2005)
Actress Kate Hudson, primarily known for her roles in romantic comedies and chick flicks, ventured into a different genre in 2005 with her role in the Southern gothic horror film “The Skeleton Key.” In this movie, she portrays a hospice aide who tends to an elderly couple living in a remote Louisiana plantation house. During her time there, she discovers hidden secrets about the house’s sinister history. Unlike many other films on this list, “The Skeleton Key” delves into the realm of voodoo instead of conventional ghostly apparitions. However, it’s crucial to note that this house is undeniably haunted. The film received praise for its unique Southern setting and for deviating from the typical ghost story formula. It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, leading up to a surprising twist ending.
What Lies Beneath (2000)
It might seem unbelievable, but there is indeed a horror movie directed by Robert Zemeckis, featuring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford. “What Lies Beneath” tells the story of Claire and Norman, a married couple residing in a lakeside home in Vermont. What sets this film apart from others on this list is that the ghost within their house isn’t necessarily out to terrify them. Instead, it guides Claire towards a disturbing secret about her husband. Despite some common horror tropes, “What Lies Beneath” is a chilling and mature film that distinguishes itself from typical haunted house tales.
The Amityville Horror (2005)
In 1979, The Amityville Horror was released, and its immense success led to a series of films. While it may not be as well-known as franchises like Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween, the Amityville Horror series still enjoys popularity among horror genre enthusiasts. In 2005, there was a remake of the 1979 film, possibly influenced by the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which performed well at the box office. It’s quite surprising to consider Ryan Reynolds, known for his sarcastic roles like Deadpool, appearing in a horror movie, but that’s precisely what happened in 2005. Interestingly, this movie also marked the debut of Chloe Grace Moretz.
Both the original and the remake of The Amityville Horror are based on the 1977 book of the same name. This book chronicles the supernatural events experienced by the Lutz family after they moved into a house in Amityville, New York—the same location where real-life mass murderer Ronald DeFeo Jr. brutally killed six members of his own family. There are skeptics who doubt the authenticity of the Lutz family’s story, but nonetheless, it spawned a new horror film franchise. The 2005 remake didn’t bring much new to the table compared to the original, but it remains a chilling film. Its modern aesthetic, complete with enhanced and more gruesome special effects, is likely to appeal to younger horror enthusiasts.
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Thirteen Ghosts (2001)
The early 2000s saw a trend of remaking classic horror films, and “Thirteen Ghosts” is a prime example as it reimagined the 1960 original. Unlike typical haunted house stories, the film’s premise is unique. Arthur, played by Tony Shalhoub, and his family move into his late uncle’s house, who was a professional ghost hunter. What sets it apart is that the ghosts captured by Arthur’s uncle are imprisoned within the house due to powerful enchantments.
These ghosts are a diverse group, each with their own intriguing stories. Some, like the Dire Mother and the Withered Lover, are benevolent spirits, while others, such as the Jackal and the Juggernaut, are menacing and violent. Navigating this haunted house is a suspenseful experience because you never know which ghost might appear next. There are plans to turn “Thirteen Ghosts” into a 13-part TV series, and hopefully, it will build upon and enhance the fear factor of its predecessors.
The Grudge (2004)
Following the immense success of the 2002 American remake of the Japanese horror film “The Ring,” Sony Pictures decided to take on another Japanese horror movie, “Ju-On: The Grudge,” and adapt it for American audiences under the title “The Grudge.” This version remained faithful to its Japanese source material while adding an American twist, notably by casting Sarah Michelle Gellar in the lead role. While “The Grudge” may not reach the same level of quality or terror as “The Ring” or its Japanese counterpart, it does manage to deliver some genuinely chilling moments. The film’s spectral entities, Kayako and Toshio, are deeply unsettling with their pale skin, bulging eyes, and otherworldly movements. Particularly memorable is the scene where Kayako eerily crawls down the staircase, an image that can haunt your nightmares. And let’s not forget the haunting, guttural sound she emits, guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.
The House of the Devil (2009)
“The House of the Devil” is widely recognized as one of the finest examples of haunted house cinema, paying a respectful tribute to the horror films of the 1970s and 1980s by emulating their distinctive styles and techniques. For instance, the movie begins with a claim of being inspired by true events, reminiscent of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” even though this assertion isn’t factual.
Furthermore, “The House of the Devil” intentionally steers clear of the typical graphic and predictable elements found in modern horror, opting instead to meticulously build suspense in each scene, leaving viewers with pounding hearts. While it undeniably incorporates elements of the haunted house genre, it also draws inspiration from slasher films and narratives involving satanic cults, skillfully blending these subgenres together to create a skillfully crafted and genuinely terrifying story.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity is a horror film that achieved immense popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon that had people everywhere talking about and watching it, often leading to screams of fear. The story follows a young, innocent couple who suspect that their home is being haunted by supernatural forces. In an effort to prove this, they decide to record the strange and eerie events happening in their house using a camera. What sets Paranormal Activity apart from many other horror movies is its focus on creating a sense of realism rather than relying on graphic violence or gore, and this approach is remarkably effective.
The film’s unsettling and home-recorded footage style is reminiscent of another successful low-budget independent film, The Blair Witch Project, which also made a significant impact at the box office. One of the most memorable and spine-chilling scenes in Paranormal Activity is deceptively simple: a woman watches her husband while he sleeps, seemingly under some sinister influence, standing motionless as time passes on the clock. The massive success of Paranormal Activity led to the creation of a franchise that continues to produce films even today.
The Others (2001)
At first glance, “The Others” may appear to be your typical haunted house horror story. However, this film’s clever twist reveals that the apparent ghosts haunting the main characters are, in fact, the protagonists themselves.
The supernatural entities we witness are actually living individuals, including an elderly medium conducting a séance and a new family residing in the house. Shockingly, the film unveils that the protagonist, Grace (portrayed by Nicole Kidman), had tragically taken the lives of her own children before ending her own existence. Since its release, “The Others” has earned a reputation as one of the most outstanding and distinctive entries in the horror genre.
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