Top 10 Horror Films Set in Rural Areas

Description: Four city-dwellers take a canoe trip through the remote Georgia wilderness, encountering hostile locals and facing survival challenges. The film's rural setting underscores the theme of man versus nature and civilization versus savagery.

Fact: The infamous "Dueling Banjos" scene was improvised during filming, and the song became a hit. The film's graphic violence was groundbreaking for its time.

Description: A police sergeant travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl, only to uncover a pagan cult with sinister intentions. The film's setting in a secluded, traditional community heightens the sense of dread.

Fact: The film was initially a box office failure but has since gained cult status. It was remade in 2006 with Nicolas Cage, which received mixed reviews.

Description: A group of friends traveling through rural Texas stumble upon a family of cannibals, including the infamous Leatherface. The desolate rural landscape adds to the film's relentless tension.

Fact: Despite its title, the film has very little actual gore, relying on suspense and suggestion. It was one of the first films to be directly inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein.

Description: A family on a road trip in the Nevada desert becomes prey to a clan of cannibalistic mutants. The film's setting in the vast, barren desert heightens the horror of their predicament.

Fact: Wes Craven, the director, was inspired by the legend of the Sawney Bean clan, a family of Scottish cannibals. The film was remade in

Description: This found footage film follows three student filmmakers who venture into the Maryland woods to investigate the legend of the Blair Witch, only to find themselves lost and terrorized by unseen forces. The rural setting adds to the film's realism and the sense of isolation.

Fact: The film was made on a budget of around $60,000 and grossed over $248 million worldwide. The actors were given minimal direction, leading to genuine reactions of fear.

Description: A group of women go on a spelunking adventure in the Appalachian Mountains, only to find themselves trapped underground with horrifying creatures. The rural setting of the cave system adds to the claustrophobic terror.

Fact: The film was shot in a real cave in Scotland, adding to the authenticity of the setting. It has a sequel, "The Descent Part 2," released in

Description: A young couple's romantic getaway in the English countryside turns into a nightmare when they encounter a gang of vicious local youths. The rural setting amplifies the sense of vulnerability and isolation.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life incidents of youth violence in the UK. It was banned in some countries due to its graphic content.

Description: In a small-town morgue, a father and son perform an autopsy on an unidentified woman, uncovering supernatural horrors. The rural setting of the morgue in a quiet town adds to the eerie atmosphere.

Fact: The film was praised for its suspense and minimal use of jump scares, relying instead on atmosphere and tension. It was shot in a real morgue to enhance authenticity.

Description: Set in 1630s New England, this film follows a Puritan family who encounters evil forces in the woods near their isolated farm. The rural setting is integral to the film's atmosphere of dread and superstition.

Fact: The film uses authentic 17th-century language, and the dialogue was based on actual writings from the period. It was shot in a remote location in Canada to maintain historical accuracy.

Description: Four friends hiking in the remote Swedish wilderness find themselves hunted by an ancient evil. The film's rural setting in the dense forest adds to the feeling of being trapped and hunted.

Fact: The film is based on a novel by Adam Nevill. The creature in the film was inspired by various mythologies, including the Norse god Jörmungandr.