Halloween is right around the corner and with that, horror movies are back.
While the horror movie has myriad settings – from summer camps to spaceships to a research facility in Antarctica, nine times out of 10 they take place in someone’s house.
Most often they are filmed on location – and therefore the house becomes an important character in the film.
With the spirit of the season in mind, we at Extra.ie decided to take a look at some of the most iconic houses in horror movies.
Stu Macher’s House – Scream
With Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher revitalizing a “dying” horror subgenre, the iconic House Macher in Scream saw the climax of the 42-minute film. And last year, you could have stayed there!
Free as Airbnb for three days last year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original film, the house has a spacious front room on the left and a living room on the right, as well as the kitchen where the climatic scene of the film.
As the opportunity to stay here has passed, there are plenty of photos and videos bragging about how cool this house is. Just make sure you don’t answer the phone if it starts ringing.
The Thompson House – A Nightmare on Elm Street
While the dreamy slasher is set in the nondescript state of Ohio, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street was filmed in Los Angeles. And nearly 40 years later, the iconic home has sold for a whopping $2.98 million.
The three-bedroom Dutch colonial house was originally built in 1919, but rose to fame 65 years later when Nancy Thompson and her friends from the original film attempted to battle child murderer Freddy Krueger.
The property itself has sensational walnut floors, spacious living rooms and kitchen and four incredible bedrooms, while a swimming pool and spa area with a guest house complete the rear garden (more on this guest house in a instant!)
While the Thompson family and a few other unlucky families were the owners of the ill-fated house throughout the fictional universe, Hustlers director Lorene Scafaria and her partner, comedian Bo Burnham, were the last owners of the house – along with the house guesthouse at the back garden being the setting for Bo’s 2021 magnum opus, Inside.
The Myers House — Halloween
Lonnie Elam once said horrible things happened at this house in Haddonfield, Illinois (actually in Southern California) on Halloween night when a young Michael Myers murdered his sister Judith .
Either way, the iconic “Myers House” became the birthplace of one of horror’s most well-known villains. And while there’s a replica in North Carolina that’s just as impressive, the story behind 1000 Mission Street in Pasadena is stranger than fiction.
The house was originally at 709 Meridian Avenue and was to be demolished to make way for a hospital. However, David Margave bought the house from Dr. Joseph Kohn. He was able to move the structure of the house to its current location on Mission Street, where fans of John Carpenter’s film can take a picture of the exterior (there’s nothing necessarily spooky inside — a a number of companies operate in the house, and they don’t really appreciate horror movie fans knocking on their door!)
Buffalo Bill’s House – The Silence of the Lambs
Much like the Macher House of Scream, the home of serial killer Buffalo Bill is an Airbnb! Admittedly, it sounds a little less straightforward than Stu’s blunder, but if you love Hannibal Lecter movies, then who am I to judge?
The 1910 Queen Anne Victorian-style home is located south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and offers stunning views of the Youghiogheny River (whoops!). The house also delves into its horror roots, with memorabilia from the film everywhere – including a life-size Hannibal Lecter, complete with straitjacket and muzzle (just in case…)
And while the main and first floors of the house have excellent features, the basement is where fans of the film will want to go first.
Although there are thankfully no sinks or buckets of lotion, a series of mannequins and a sewing machine for the aspiring seamstress in your life complete the look. The house can sleep up to eight people and reservations can always be made – so if you really, REALLY want to spend the night at the deranged killer’s house, be his guest.
The Stanley Hotel – The Shining
Although we may be cheating a bit here since it’s not technically a home, the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s horror masterpiece deserves honorable mention.
After welcoming the author of Carrie and Salem’s Lot in 1974, the location in the Colorado Rockies, the grand hotel, and the fact that it was reported that Stephen and his wife Tabitha inspired his novel.
A bestselling book followed, and although Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation didn’t get the author’s initial approval, it’s still considered one of the scariest movies of all time.
And the hotel that inspired the story has been 100% into it – despite claims of supernatural sightings since the novel’s release, the annual Shining Ball takes place every Halloween – a nod to the holiday of the 4th of July held at the Overlook in 1921 — for fans of the film.
So if you’re an author with writer’s block looking for your next big inspiration, book a stay at The Stanley. They throw great parties…
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