Top 10 Crime Films Inspired by Urban Legends

Description: This docudrama explores the Fouke Monster, an urban legend about a Bigfoot-like creature in Arkansas. It's a blend of documentary and narrative, making it a unique entry in the genre.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use the "docudrama" format, blending real interviews with staged scenes. It was shot on location in Fouke, Arkansas, where the legend originates.

Description: While not directly based on an urban legend, this film explores the concept of a haunted house, a staple of urban folklore, where a team investigates the paranormal activities in a mansion known as the "Mount Everest of haunted houses."

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Hell House" by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay. It's often compared to "The Haunting," another film about a haunted house.

Description: This film explores the legend of the Candyman, a hook-handed ghost who appears when his name is said five times in a mirror. It's a chilling tale of urban folklore turned into a terrifying reality in the projects of Chicago.

Fact: The film was inspired by Clive Barker's short story "The Forbidden." The character of Candyman was loosely based on the "Bloody Mary" urban legend.

Description: This film takes a playful yet terrifying approach to urban legends, weaving them into a slasher narrative set on a college campus where students are killed off in ways inspired by urban myths.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Brad Dourif, who plays the creepy gas station attendant. It was one of the first movies to capitalize on the urban legend trend in horror cinema.

Description: This found footage film popularized the urban legend of the Blair Witch, a ghost said to haunt the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland. It's a tale of students who go missing while investigating the legend.

Fact: The film was made on a budget of approximately $60,000 but grossed over $248 million worldwide. Its marketing campaign was revolutionary, using the internet to blur the lines between fiction and reality.

Description: Although not strictly an urban legend, this film adapts the Japanese tale of a cursed video tape that kills its viewers seven days after watching. It's a modern take on the concept of cursed media and urban folklore.

Fact: The film was a remake of the Japanese horror film "Ringu." It was one of the first American remakes of a J-horror film to achieve significant commercial success.

Description: This film explores the legend of Hoodoo, a form of folk magic, in a suspenseful narrative set in a mysterious Louisiana mansion. It delves into the dark side of urban legends about voodoo and magic.

Fact: The film was shot on location in New Orleans, adding authenticity to its Southern Gothic atmosphere. The mansion used in the film is actually a private residence.

Description: This film delves into the Mexican urban legend of La Llorona, the weeping woman who drowned her children and now haunts waterways, looking for new victims.

Fact: The film is part of "The Conjuring Universe," expanding the franchise into new cultural folklore. It was directed by Michael Chaves, who also directed "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It."

Description: This documentary-style film investigates the Mothman legend, featuring interviews with locals and experts, exploring the urban myth that has captivated people for decades.

Fact: The film includes footage from the annual Mothman Festival held in Point Pleasant, showcasing how the legend has become a part of local culture.

Description: Based on true events, this film delves into the urban legend of the Mothman, a creature said to foretell disasters. It follows a reporter who becomes obsessed with the mysterious sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Fact: The film was shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, not in West Virginia where the actual events took place. The Mothman legend is still a popular topic in cryptozoology.