The Best Scary Movies Based on True Stories
Help determine the best scary movies that are based on true stories by voting up your favorites. It is said that the truth is stranger than fiction. Well, in the case of scary movies, there is probably a lot more horrifying truth than one would expect. Many of the scariest movies were inspired by real events - which, if nothing else, is something we should all lose a little bit of sleep over. This is a list of the best scary movies based on true stories to determine just what horrifyingly true story is the most teeth-chattering, nightmare-inducing, sleep-with-a-nightlight-for-the-rest-of-your-life cinematic masterpiece. So, what is the best scary movie based on a true story?
Here you'll find some of horror's (and cinema's) undisputed masterminds all drawing on real-world events to inspire some of their finest work. Heavyweights like Steven Spielberg, the "Master of Suspense" Wes Craven, and Alfred Hitchcock have all drawn from real headlines to create some of their most famous films.
There are many factors to consider here. Comparing a film up against another film (even in the same genre) can feel like comparing apples and oranges. So, it's on you, Ranker voters. Does it matter how closely the film adheres to the story that it was inspired by, like in a biopic like Dahmer? Or is it more important that the movie be genuinely, undeniably, amazing even though it strays a bit from its inspiration? Because maybe Jaws and Psycho win that battle.
These are all almost impossibly tough calls, and there are a lot of classics to sift through... but isn't that what makes this fun? Vote up the top scary movies inspired by true events, and click Rerank to make a list of your own.
- 1Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
- Released: 1991
- Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Based loosely on the relationship between serial killer Ted Bundy and criminal profiler Robert Keppel.
Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant ...more - 2Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow
- Released: 1973
- Directed by: William Friedkin
Inspired by the alleged demonic possession of Robbie Mannheim.
One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues --Â ...more - 3Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor
- Released: 2013
- Directed by: James Wan
Based on the experiences of the Perron family as investigated by paranormal detectives Ed and Lorraine Warren.
In 1970, paranormal investigators and demonologists Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren are summoned to the home of Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger (Ron Livingston) Perron. The ...more - 4Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Allen Danziger
- Released: 1974
- Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein.
When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather's grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a ...more - 5John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Heather Langenkamp
- Released: 1984
- Directed by: Wes Craven
Loosely based on a group of Cambodian refugees in the 1970's who were suffering disturbing night terrors after fleeing to the United States. Their nightmares were so terrifying, they began refusing to sleep.
In Wes Craven's classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams -- which, in ...more - 6James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger
- Released: 1979
- Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg
Inspired by the experiences of the Lutz family as investigated by Paranormal Detectives, Ed and Lorraine Warren.Chiller about a family who is terrorized by supernatural forces when they move into a new house in New York State which was the scene of a recent mass killing and the home of an 18th-century ...more - 7Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
- Released: 1960
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Loosely based on Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein.
Phoenix secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), on the lam after stealing $40,000 from her employer in order to run away with her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin), is overcome by exhaustion during a ...more - 8Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Campbell Scott
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Based on the story of a 16-year-old German girl named Anneliese Michel who was believed to be possessed in 1968.The Rev. Moore (Tom Wilkinson) is prosecuted for the wrongful death of a girl thought to be demonically possessed, because he administered the church-sanctioned exorcism that ultimately killed her. ...more - 9Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
- Released: 1975
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Inspired by a series of shark attacks off the New Jersey shore in 1916.When a young woman is killed by a shark while skinny-dipping near the New England tourist town of Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches, but mayor Larry ...more - 10Suze Lanier-Bramlett, Robert Houston, James Whitworth
- Released: 1977
- Directed by: Wes Craven
Based on the sixteenth century cave-dwelling-clan leader Alexander Bean. He and his disciples ate an estimated 1,000 people.
Wes Craven's cult classic about cannibalistic mountain folk on the trail of stranded vacationers in the arid Southwest. - 11Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Peter Cornwell
Inspired by the experiences of the Snedeker family as investigated by paranormal detectives Ed and Lorraine Warren.
When their son Matt (Kyle Gallner) receives a diagnosis of cancer, Sara (Virginia Madsen) and Peter (Martin Donovan) Campbell move to Connecticut to be closer to his doctors. At first all is well, ...more - 12Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent
- Released: 1988
- Directed by: Tom Holland
Seriously. Based on Robert the doll, who is a doll, owned by author Robert Eugene Otto, who is a man. Robert (the doll) was said to be possessed by evil spirits.Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), dying murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) uses black magic to put his soul inside a doll named Chucky -- which Karen Barclay (Catherine ...more - 13Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox
- Released: 1996
- Directed by: Wes Craven
Based partly on the real-life case of the Gainesville Ripper.
The sleepy little town of Woodsboro just woke up screaming. There's a killer in their midst who's seen a few too many scary movies. Suddenly nobody is safe, as the psychopath stalks victims, taunts ...more - 14Hal Reed, Bob Jones, Ray Lynch
- Released: 1971
- Directed by: Tom Hanson
Based on the notorious San Francisco serial killer, the Zodiac.
The Zodiac Killer is a 1971 film directed by Tom Hanson. The film stars Hal Reed, Bob Jones, and Ray Lynch. The plot is based on the Zodiac Killer in the San Francisco area. - 15Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: Bryan Bertino
Writer/Director Bryan Bertino claims that the movie is based on a series of break-ins that occurred in his neighborhood as a child. The legitimacy of this claim is up for debate.
Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) are expecting a relaxing weekend at a family vacation home, but their stay turns out to be anything but peaceful. First, a mysterious and dangerous ...more - 16Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Based on the story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos who killed seven men in Florida while maintaining that they were all acts of self-defense.
Shortly after moving to Florida, longtime prostitute Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron) meets young and reserved Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) and a romance blossoms. When a john (Lee Tergesen) attempts ...more - 17Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins
- Released: 1992
- Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Vlad the Impaler. Period.
Adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel. Gary Oldman plays Dracula whose lonely soul is determined to reunite with his lost love, Mina (Winona Ryder). In Britain, Dracula begins a reign of ...more - 18Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Rachel Hurd-Wood
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: Courtney Solomon
Based on the legend of the Bell Witch.
Landowners in 1817 Tennessee, John (Donald Sutherland) and Lucy Bell (Sissy Spacek) experience strange and terrifying events after fellow parishioners find John guilty of loan-sharking and his victim ...more - 19Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm
- Released: 2001
- Directed by: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes
Inspired by the murders committed by Jack The Ripper.The first tabloid star of the twentieth century, he remains the most notorious and enigmatic serial killer in history. "From Hell" puts an intense urban spin on the horrific legend of Jack the Ripper ...more - 20Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: David Fincher
Based on the story of the zodiac killer.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, fear grips the city of San Francisco as a serial killer called Zodiac stalks its residents. Investigators (Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards) and reporters (Jake Gyllenhaal, ...more - 21Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton
- Released: 2002
- Directed by: Mark Pellington
Based on author John Keel's own investigations into the mysterious Mothman in the town of Point Pleasant.Based on true events in Point Pleasant, Virginia, "The Mothman Prophecies" examines a series of inexplicable occurrences through the eyes - and mind- of one man. A man (Richard Gere) is driven to ...more - 22Barbara Hershey, Ron Silver, George Coe
- Released: 1982
- Directed by: Sidney J. Furie
Inspired by the experiences of Doris Blither, who claimed to be assaulted by invisible entities. This was documented by paranormal investigators Barry Taff and Kerry Gaynor.
Single mother Carla Moran (Barbara Hershey) is raped and attacked by an invisible force. She begins therapy with Dr. Phil Sneiderman (Ron Silver), a psychiatrist who believes Carla's traumatic past ...more - 23Bela Lugosi, Edward Van Sloan, Dwight Frye
- Released: 1931
- Directed by: Tod Browning
Inspired by the exploits of the Wallachian prince and serial killer Vlad III aka Vlad the Impaler
The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old castle. ...more - 24Mark Holton, Charlie Weber, Adam Baldwin
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Clive Saunders
Based on the life and times of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
Real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy (Mark Holton) is the subject of this disturbing biographical drama. Although Gacy is a family man and respected business owner, and even entertains locals as a ...more - 25Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Mikael Håfström
Based on the real-life experiences of Father Gary Thomas.Though he is filled with doubt about the subject, seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) finds he must attend a Vatican school of exorcism. Believing possession to be the work of a ...more
