The Best Haunted House Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 15, 2023 30.6K votes 2.9K voters 135.6K views
Over 2.9K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Haunted House Movies
Latest additions: Haunted Mansion, Cobweb, Skinamarink
Most divisive: Casper

Here is a list of the best haunted house movies. These are films that feature a haunted house as one of its primary locations. We believe we've got them all, but if you think we missed one please feel free to add it to the list yourself. All genres have been included, but being haunted houses, the most predominant genre is of course horror. Haunted houses are at the heart of many of our favorite ghost stories and have translated into some of the best haunted house films. For movies you can watch now on Netflix check out these lists like the best horror movies on Netflix, best anime shows and best comedies on Netflix.

A haunted house also creates a unique situation for storytellers where the location itself is practically one of the characters. Whether the house is haunted due to a vile act, remains stashed in one of its walls, or something hidden beneath its foundation, you'll find it on this list of the best haunted house films. What are the best haunted house movies? That's up to you to decide!

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  • The Conjuring
    1

    The Conjuring

    Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor
    1,224 votes
    • Released: 2013
    • Directed by: James Wan
    The Conjuring is a chilling horror film that unfolds in the 1970s. Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are enlisted by Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor). The Perrons and their five daughters have recently moved into a secluded farmhouse, where a supernatural presence has made itself known. These manifestations take the form of a spectral woman who haunts their dreams and a foreboding entity that lurks in the shadows of their home. The Warrens, famous for their work on the Amityville case, must combat these malevolent spirits to save the Perron family from a dreadful fate. This film received praise for its direction, acting, and scary storytelling, winning numerous awards and spawning an entire franchise.

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  • The Shining
    2

    The Shining

    Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
    1,523 votes
    • Released: 1980
    • Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
    In the chilling film The Shining, Jack Torrance (portrayed by Jack Nicholson) takes on a winter caretaker role at Colorado's secluded Overlook Hotel. His aim is to overcome his writer's block, and he brings along his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd). A unique aspect of this narrative is Danny's psychic abilities, which lead him to experience unnerving premonitions. The movie unfolds as Jack grapples with a stagnant writing process and Danny's visions grow increasingly alarming. The crux of the plot lies in Jack uncovering the hotel's sinister past, an event that triggers a terrifying transformation within him towards violence against his own family.
  • Poltergeist
    3

    Poltergeist

    Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight
    1,294 votes
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: Tobe Hooper
    A gripping tale of supernatural terror, Poltergeist is a 1982 horror film directed by Tobe Hooper. The Freeling family, led by parents Steven (Craig T. Nelson) and Diane (JoBeth Williams), find their tranquil suburban life upended when inexplicable phenomena start to haunt their home. Their youngest daughter, Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke), becomes the focus of these eerie disturbances, leading to her sudden and mysterious disappearance. The family's desperate search for Carol Anne uncovers a dark secret lurking beneath their home. Poltergeist was nominated for three Academy Awards, solidifying its place in the annals of horror cinema.

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  • The Others
    4

    The Others

    Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann
    957 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Alejandro Amenábar
    In The Others, Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) resides with her two light-sensitive children in an isolated Victorian mansion. The eerie ambiance is heightened by a trio of servants who seem to know more than they share, creating a sense of unease. As the story unfolds, unexplained phenomena plague the household, challenging Grace's stern belief in reality. This film, a spine-tingling blend of psychological thriller and horror, directed by Alejandro Alejandro Amenábar, won eight Goya Awards in 2002, including Best Film. Its chilling narrative keeps viewers on edge until the unexpected climax.

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  • The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist
    5

    The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist

    Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Madison Wolfe
    420 votes
    • Released: 2016
    • Directed by: James Wan
    Venturing into the spine-chilling realm of the supernatural, The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist is a horror sequel that takes us across the Atlantic to England. Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), reprise their roles, drawn into a haunting case centered around the Hodgson family in North London. As they delve deeper into the eerie occurrences, they grapple with a malevolent entity known as The Enfield Poltergeist. Directed by James Wan, this film won acclaim for its atmospheric tension and suspenseful storytelling, further solidifying its place in contemporary horror cinema.

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  • Insidious
    6

    Insidious

    Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey
    1,065 votes
    • Released: 2010
    • Directed by: James Wan
    Delving into the realm of supernatural horror, Insidious is a chilling film that masterfully intertwines the ordinary with the eerie. The film centers around Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne), who are confronted with an otherworldly force after moving into their new home. Their son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) inexplicably falls into a coma, triggering a series of unsettling events. As the Lamberts desperately seek help to save their son, they cross paths with Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye), a gifted psychic. With her aid, they uncover the bone-chilling truth: their son's spirit is trapped in a dark realm known as 'The Further'. This revelation sets them on a perilous journey, where they must confront malevolent entities to rescue Dalton and reclaim their peaceful lives. Insidious, directed by James Wan, is celebrated for its inventive plot twists and atmospheric tension, making it a standout entry in modern horror cinema.

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