13 Horror Films Based on True Events

13. The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

​The plot: A Harvard anthropologist journeys to Haiti in search of a mysterious powder that suppresses the mind and motor control of humans.

The true story: The Serpent and the Rainbow is based on Davis Wade's novel. Davis had to deal with a frightening science that had been around for decades. He writes about his fascinating experience with the zombification process in his book.

12. The Mothman Prophecies (2002)

The plot: John Klein, a columnist, and his wife are planning to purchase a home. After visiting one of the homes, they are involved in a car accident. Mary claims to have seen an unusual creature.

The true story: The film is based on the novel by John Keel. John gathered information from witnesses and conducted his own investigation into the Mothman. The last time the Mothman was seen was shortly before the Silver Bridge collapsed, killing 46 people.

11. Monster (2003)

The plot: During a meeting with a client, prostitute Aileen Wuornos is beaten and raped. She murders him with a revolver she conceals in her pocket. Following the crash, Aileen begins to murder all of her clients that she believes deserve to die. She adheres to her own set of rules and does not murder those that seem to be healthy.

The true story: Aileen's true story is told in this film. Wuornos was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison. On October 9, 2002, she was executed.

10. An American Haunting (2005)

The plot: The Bells, who are happy and respectable, are cursed. They are being visited by a ghost who desires the death of one of the family members.

The true story: There are 35 books about a family that was stalked by a phantom. For many years, something supernatural had been tormenting the Bells and making their lives intolerable. One of the family members was killed. John Bell's death is the only known case of a ghost-caused death in American history.

9. The Amityville Horror (2005)

The plot: A newlywed couple with three children relocates to a new home. The house is cheap since the former owners died in a tragic accident, but the new family is unaware of this. Strange occurrences in the house persuade the new owners that something dreadful lurks inside.

The true story: Ronald DeFeo murdered his father, mother, two sisters, and two brothers on November 13, 1974. The film's plot revolves around his life. Despite the numerous unsolved details, DeFeo was sentenced to six 25-year life sentences (150 years in total).

8. An American Crime (2007)

The plot: The parents of two daughters (Silvia and Jenny) plan to leave in search of financial stability. Gertrude Baniszewski takes care of the children for $20 a week. However, since a payment is two weeks late, Gertrude wishes to prosecute Silvia and Jenny.

The true story: Sylvia Likens' murder is the most heinous crime that has ever occurred in Indiana. It's hard to believe that real people would behave like this: Silvia was beaten and tortured by Gertrude's children. The most revolting aspect was that neighbors were aware of the situation and did little to assist or rescue the children.

7. Primeval (2007)

The plot: This serial killer has amassed more victims than both Jack the Ripper and the Unabomber put together. Many people attempted to destroy it, but they either failed or were killed in the process.

The true story: The film is based on the true story of Gustave, a 6-meter-long crocodile. It is thought to be 65 years old and has consumed more than 300 lives. Many local and international hunters tried to destroy it with AK-47s and explosives with the aid of military forces, but it is still alive.

6. Changeling (2008)

The plot: Following the disappearance of Walter Collins (Christine's son), the police discover a child, but Christine realizes it is not her son. Christine is distraught and seeks assistance from journalists. However, since the city council is uninterested, the woman is accused of being a mentally ill mother.

The true story: The Wineville chicken coop murders are a string of kidnappings and murders of young boys in Los Angeles. The corpses were dumped in quicklime and buried on the property of a ranch. Some bodies have been found, one of which is most likely that of Walter Collins. You're now fully aware of the film's horrors.

5. Shadow People (The Door) (2013)

The plot: During a radio talk show, a terrified man describes the shadow people who come out at night and murder people.

The true story: The film is based on the shadow people phenomenon. It can be explained scientifically as an optical illusion. Scientists conducted experiments and discovered that a woman with epilepsy found that someone was copying her movements behind her while undergoing electrical brain stimulation. When doctors asked her to read something from a note, she said a ghost was attempting to snare the card from her grasp.

4. The Conjuring (2013)

The plot: The Perrons move into a new home and find that they are not alone: doors are slammed, the couple is cold, there is a rotten odor, and the children see odd reflections in the mirrors. They seek assistance from the Warrens, an exorcist couple.

The true story: In 1970, a mother purchased a doll for her daughter. It was taken to college by the kid. The toy was later discovered to be living a life of its own by the girl's neighbor. The investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, came to the conclusion that the doll, Annabelle, had an evil spirit.

3. Deliver Us From Evil (2014)

The plot: A series of unexplained crimes leads the NYPD to investigate. One of the cops seeks the assistance of an exorcist.

The true story: Sergeant Ralph Sarchie's stories are the basis for the film. He served in the Bronx's 46th precinct. He's also the author of the book,  Beware the Night. Ralph shared his insights into some of the cases he investigated (including mysterious ones).

2. Robert (2015)

The plot: Paul and Jenny are about to fire Agatha, their long-serving housekeeper, who is becoming increasingly forgetful and malicious. The enraged woman presents her former boss's son with a doll named Robert. Strange things begin to happen in the house after she leaves.

The true story: This doll influenced a number of filmmakers. It was also provided as a form of revenge for a bad attitude toward a housemaid. Witnesses claimed to have witnessed terrifying and horrifying events, including the doll winking and moving from one room to the next at breakneck pace.

1. The Nightmare (2015)

The plot: After interviewing each project participant, the film director recreated everything they saw in their dreams. This film follows eight people who have had similar dreams in which a strange man's shadow appears.

The true story: The film investigates the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. The audience can see what happens when someone is almost awake but their mind is still shackled: they understand all that is going on but are unable to control their body, thanks to the aid of eight people.