Imagine the lights dimming, the anticipation building, and then, instead of a movie, something terrifying unfolds. This collection of horror films set in movie theaters explores the eerie potential of these communal spaces, turning the act of watching a film into a spine-chilling experience. From ghostly apparitions to sinister plots, these movies will make you think twice before you sit down for the next screening.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Description: While not a modern horror, this silent film classic features a disfigured musical genius haunting the Paris Opera House, which can be seen as a precursor to the horror movie theater setting.
Fact: Lon Chaney's portrayal of the Phantom is iconic, and the film includes one of the earliest uses of practical effects in horror cinema.
Watch Now 
The Tingler (1959)
Description: A pathologist discovers a creature that feeds on fear, leading to a terrifying experience in a movie theater where the creature is unleashed on the audience.
Fact: This film is famous for its "Percepto!" gimmick, where theater seats were rigged to vibrate during certain scenes to simulate the creature's presence.
Watch Now 
Matinee (1993)
Description: While not strictly a horror film, this comedy-drama captures the essence of the movie-going experience during the Cuban Missile Crisis, with a B-movie director exploiting the fear for his latest horror flick.
Fact: John Goodman stars as the flamboyant B-movie director, and the film includes a fictional horror movie within it, "Mant!".
Watch Now 
The House of the Devil (2009)
Description: A college student takes a babysitting job that leads her to a night of terror in a secluded house, with ties to a sinister movie theater.
Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film to give it an authentic 1980s feel, and it features a slow-burn approach to horror.
Watch Now 
The Final Girls (2015)
Description: A group of friends are sucked into a 1980s slasher movie, where they must survive the film's killer to escape the screen.
Fact: The movie pays homage to classic slasher films, with a meta-narrative that explores the tropes of the genre.
Watch Now 
The Last Showing (2014)
Description: A horror-thriller where a deranged projectionist traps a young couple in his theater, forcing them to play out his twisted vision of a perfect movie.
Fact: The film was directed by Phil Hawkins, who also wrote the screenplay, making it a very personal project. It premiered at the London FrightFest Film Festival.
Watch Now 
The Dark (2018)
Description: A young girl's disappearance leads to a chilling investigation in a small town, with clues pointing to an old, abandoned movie theater.
Fact: The film uses the setting of the theater to explore themes of loss and the supernatural, creating a unique atmosphere of dread.
Watch Now 
The Projectionist (2019)
Description: A projectionist at an old theater becomes obsessed with an unfinished film, leading to a descent into madness and supernatural occurrences.
Fact: The film was shot in an actual abandoned theater, adding to its eerie atmosphere.
Watch Now 
Popcorn (1991)
Description: During a horror film festival, a killer uses the movies' themes to carry out murders, blending fiction with terrifying reality.
Fact: The film features a unique blend of horror sub-genres, including slasher, sci-fi, and supernatural elements, making it a cult classic among horror enthusiasts.
30 Days Free 
The Last Screening (2013)
Description: A French horror film where a projectionist's obsession with a film leads to a night of terror for a young couple attending the last screening.
Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life closure of many small, independent cinemas in France.
30 Days Free 
