There's something uniquely terrifying about hotels in horror films. These transient spaces, where countless stories unfold, become the perfect setting for eerie tales of hauntings, murders, and the supernatural. Whether it's the isolation, the anonymity, or the history of the building itself, hotels in horror movies offer a chilling backdrop that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Here's a curated list of 10 horror films that make the most of this spine-chilling setting, each with its own twist on the haunted hotel theme.
The Haunting (1963)
Description: While not exclusively about a hotel, this film features Hill House, which could be considered a grand, haunted estate. A group of people come to investigate paranormal activity, experiencing psychological terror.
Fact: The film was based on Shirley Jackson's novel "The Haunting of Hill House." It was remade in 1999 with a more commercial approach, but the original is often praised for its subtlety and psychological horror.
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The Shining (1980)
Description: This iconic film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, explores the descent into madness of Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as an off-season caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. The hotel's dark history and ghostly inhabitants drive Jack to the brink, making it a quintessential horror hotel movie.
Fact: Stephen King, the author of the novel, was not initially pleased with Kubrick's adaptation, though it has since become widely acclaimed. The film's hedge maze was actually created using miniatures and forced perspective.
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The Others (2001)
Description: Although set in a mansion rather than a hotel, this film captures the isolation and haunting atmosphere akin to many hotel horror stories. A woman living in a darkened old house with her photosensitive children encounters mysterious presences.
Fact: The film was shot in Spain, and the house used was a real mansion built in
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Session 9 (2001)
Description: Set in an abandoned psychiatric hospital, this film captures the eerie, haunted feeling of a place where many have suffered. A crew hired to clean up the building encounters the dark history of the place.
Fact: The film was shot in the Danvers State Hospital, a real abandoned psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts, which added to the film's chilling authenticity. The movie uses minimal special effects, relying on atmosphere and sound design for its horror.
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The Skeleton Key (2005)
Description: Set in a plantation house turned into a hospice, this film explores voodoo and the supernatural. While not a hotel, the setting provides a similar eerie atmosphere where guests are not what they seem.
Fact: The film was shot in Louisiana, utilizing the rich history and folklore of the region. The house used in the movie is actually a historic plantation home.
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1408 (2007)
Description: Based on a Stephen King short story, this film follows a skeptical author who investigates haunted hotels, only to find himself trapped in room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, where the room itself seems to be alive with malevolent intent.
Fact: The film was originally planned as a direct-to-video release but was upgraded to a theatrical release due to positive test screenings. The room number 1408 was chosen because it adds up to 13, a number often associated with bad luck.
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The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Description: While not set in a hotel, this film captures the essence of isolation and dread often associated with haunted hotels. It follows siblings who return to their family farm where their father is dying, and they encounter malevolent forces.
Fact: The film was shot in a real farmhouse in Texas, adding to the authenticity of its setting. It was praised for its slow-building tension and atmospheric horror.
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The Innkeepers (2011)
Description: Set in the Yankee Pedlar Inn, this film follows two employees who decide to investigate the hotel's supposed hauntings during its final days before closing. Their curiosity leads to encounters with the supernatural.
Fact: The Yankee Pedlar Inn is an actual haunted hotel in Connecticut, and the film was shot on location there. Director Ti West also plays a small role in the movie.
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The Woman in Black (2012)
Description: While not a hotel, the isolated Eel Marsh House provides a similar atmosphere of dread and isolation. A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers a vengeful ghost haunting the house.
Fact: The film was based on Susan Hill's novel and was adapted into a successful stage play before being made into a movie. The setting was inspired by real locations in England.
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The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: Set in a morgue rather than a hotel, this film still delivers the claustrophobic horror of being trapped with something sinister. A father and son coroner team uncover dark secrets during an autopsy.
Fact: The film was shot in a real morgue, which added to the eerie authenticity of the setting. The body of Jane Doe was created using a combination of prosthetics and CGI.
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