Best Horror Movies Based on True Events

• saloni gupta
• July 30, 2026
• Entertainment
• Best Horror movies, Best Horror Movies Based on True Events, Horror Movies, Horror movies based on true events
• 0 Comments

Horror movies are often more hair-raising when based on real incidents. Different directors visualize these stories in their own spirit and therefore dramatise some instances within the films. The tales behind the supposed hauntings, crimes, paranormal activities, etc. are backed by evidence and real events.

If you are truly interested in these horror movies, this is the right one for you. It includes a wide variety of horrific films as per your taste.

Note: Many films are based on real-life stories, while others depict people or legendary paranormal happenings.

Quick Checklist of Best Horror Movies Based on True Events

Best Haunted House & Paranormal Horror Movies that are Based on True Stories

The Conjuring (2013)

Based on: The Perron family’s hauntings, which were investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren.

The Conjuring is considered one of the finest supernatural movies ever made. The plot revolves around famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. They help a family that is haunted by a malignant spirit. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in spirits or not – the film gives you unforgettable suspense and ambience.

Source: KinoCheck

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Based on: The Enfield Poltergeist case in the UK.

The second part of The Conjuring series tells about one of the most famous alleged hauntings in the world. The events of the movie take place in London in the 1970s. The film combines horror with emotional family drama.

Source: IMDb

The Amityville Horror (1979)

Based on: The Lutz family’s statements after the DeFeo murders

Upon settling into a house where six people were killed, the Lutz family began claiming to undergo frightening paranormal occurrences. The case remains debatable even today but has become the basis for one of the best-known ghost stories involving haunted houses in the history of horror films.

Source: IMDb

Veronica (2017)

Based on: The infamous Vallecas case in Spain

After trying out a Ouija board, a girl starts suffering from strange paranormal events. The movie is based on an actual police investigation in Madrid, and it has turned out to be among Netflix’s most discussed horror films.

Source: IMDb

Deliver Us from Evil (2014)

Source: Ralph Sarchie, a former NYPD officer

This film mixes elements of police investigation with supernatural horror, as it tells the story of a detective who finds out about a series of strange incidents related to demonic forces. This is a gripping combination of crime movie and horror exorcism.

Source: IMDb

The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)

Based on: The rumored haunting of the Snedeker family.

A family settles into a house which used to be a funeral parlor, facing terrible paranormal disturbances. Although the movie exaggerates certain real events, the story is based on one of the most popular ghost stories in the U.S.

Source: IMDb

The Entity (1982)

Based on: The spectral ordeal of Doris Bither.

Unlike regular ghost stories, The Entity revolves around a girl who declares that she is under attack by a ghostly force. The psychological aspect and the horrifying atmosphere of the movie have made it widely popular.

Source: IMDb

Also Read: Best Horror Movies Based on True Events

The Deliverance (2024)

Based on: The Ammons case in Gary, Indiana.

The movie follows the story of the Ammons family, which got the attention of the media due to the claims of demonic possession and ghost hunting in their home.

Source: IMDb

Best Horror Movies Based on Real-Life Exorcism Cases

The Exorcist (1973) 

Inspiration: The recorded exorcism of Roland Doe in 1949. 

This film is widely considered to be the best horror film of all time, as it tells a horrifying story of little Anna and the priests who intervene to save her. The legacy of this movie is that it is still one of the most influential films within the genre even after almost fifty years of its premiere. 

Source: IMDb

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) 

Inspiration: The case of Anneliese Michel, who died after the exorcisms. 

The film mixes certain elements of court drama with horror and presents the heartbreaking story of a woman being killed after several exorcisms; interestingly, the film touches on the subjects of faith, medicine, and the paranormal. 

Source: IMDb

The Rite (2011) 

Inspiration: Exorcist training of Father Gary Thomas in Rome. 

In this film, Anthony Hopkins plays an experienced exorcist who teaches a young, skeptical seminarian. The movie uses real stories of many exorcisms that took place in the Vatican.

Source: IMDb

The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)

Motivation: Memoirs and experiences of Father Gabriele Amorth act as a basis for the film.

Russell Crowe plays the main role in the film about the Vatican’s lead exorcist dealing with an unprecedented case of demonic possession. Although the film mainly aims at entertaining the viewers, it is based on the published autobiography of Father Gabriele Amorth, who has dealt with many real-life cases of exorcism.

Best Horror Movies Based on Real Murder Cases and Serial Killers

Unlike supernatural horror films, these productions depict real crimes committed in history. Although certain artistic liberties are observed, the storyline is based on the actual crimes committed by certain criminals.

The Girl Next Door (2007)

Inspired by: The murder of Sylvia Likens. 

The Girl Next Door is one of the most horrifying movies ever created. The story revolves around a teenage girl suffering abuse from her caregivers. The movie uses no supernatural elements in terror; instead, it depicts the real horror of human cruelty, and it’s one of those thriller movies that has the right suspense element.

Source: IMDb

Borderland (2007)

Inspired by: The crimes of a cult leader, Adolfo Constanzo. 

Borderland represents one of the most notorious cults in Mexico. In the movie, the main characters are a group of friends who find themselves in mortal danger from ritualistic murderers.

Source: IMDb

The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

Inspiration: The Texarkana Moonlight Murders.

This cult classic retells the story of the unsolved murders that ensued in Texarkana during the 1940s and created terror in the twin cities. It has created an influence for many slasher movies due to its masked murderer and spooky setting. 

Not all the terrifying stories contain ghosts or killers: the movies explained situations related to supposed UFOs, strange sights, and paranormal happenings.

Source: IMDb

Fire in the Sky (1993)

Inspiration: Travis Walton’s supposed UFO kidnapping.

The sci-fi horror movie narrates the story of logger named Travis Walton who claimed that he was abducted by aliens in 1975. Whether you choose to believe in it or not, its scary abduction scenes are unforgettable.

Source: IMDb

The Mothman Prophecies (2002)

Inspiration: The mysterious Mothman stories of Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

With Richard Gere in the leading role this psychological horror movie tells the story of weird visions and events related to the well-known Mothman. The movie takes time to create the feeling of suspense and eeriness characteristic of it.

Communion (1989)

Source: Allegations of the author Whitley Strieber.

The film Communion, based on Strieber’s bestselling book, is about a horror writer whose terrifying encounters with alien-like beings complicate the distinction between dream and waking life. This movie is an interesting combination of psychological horror and science fiction.

Movies Inspired by Real Stories

These movies may not depict the actual events, but still, they include the influence of other people, places, or legends.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Source: Ed Gein’s case.

Even though Leatherface is a fictitious character, the Texas Chain Saw Massacre was based on the actions of Ed Gein, who committed several horrendous acts that later paved the way for incredible characters in future horror films.

Source: IMDb

Wolf Creek (2005) 

Inspired by: Australian serial killers Ivan Milat and Bradley Murdoch. 

Set in Australia, Wolf Creek follows backpackers who get in a predator’s path. It’s set in a remote place, and the engaging visuals combine with raw, realistic violence in a horror movie that makes you think of actual crimes. 

Source: IMDb

Quick Picks by Category

Haunted House Movies

• The Conjuring
• The Conjuring 2
• The Amityville Horror
• The Haunting in Connecticut

Exorcism Horror

• The Exorcist
• The Exorcism of Emily Rose
• The Rite
• The Pope’s Exorcist

Best Crime-Based Horror

• The Girl Next Door
• Borderland
• The Town That Dreaded Sundown
• Wolf Creek

Best Mystery & Paranormal Films

• Fire in the Sky
• The Mothman Prophecies
• Veronica
• Communion

Final Thoughts 

The most popular horror films based on true stories demonstrate that real life gives birth to the most frightening stories. Filmmakers use some invented elements to make the stories more chilling, but at the same time, they help us realize that the real starting point is human beings. 

If you would like to learn something interesting about haunted houses, exorcisms, inviting killers, and mysterious phenomena, you can watch any of these 20 films to enjoy the beauty of horror.