Based on True Stories: 5 Terrifying Horror Movies That Will Keep You Awake

There is something much more terrifying about a horror movie when you know it actually happened. While Hollywood likes to add drama, the real-life events behind these films are often scarier than the movies themselves. I’ve gathered 5 of the most famous horror films based on true stories. Read this with the lights on!

1. The Conjuring (2013)

The Movie: Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren help a family experiencing dark spirits in their farmhouse.

The True Story: The Perron family actually lived in that house in Rhode Island and claimed to experience terrifying hauntings for nine years.

My Take: This is a masterpiece of modern horror. Knowing the Warrens were real people makes every jump scare feel much heavier. I was always waiting for the new part of it.

2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

The Movie: A lawyer defends a priest who performed an exorcism that led to a young woman's death.

The True Story: Based on Anneliese Michel, a German girl who underwent 67 exorcism rites in the 1970s. The real audio recordings from her sessions are haunting.

My Take: This isn't just a horror movie; it’s a legal drama that makes you question the line between science and faith.

3. Zodiac (2007)

The Movie: A cartoonist becomes obsessed with finding the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco.

The True Story: The Zodiac Killer was real and sent coded letters to the police. To this day, the case remains one of America’s greatest unsolved mysteries.

My Take: This is a slow-burn thriller. The fact that the killer was never caught is the scariest part of the whole film.

4. The Strangers (2008)

The Movie: A young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three masked assailants.

The True Story: Inspired by the Manson Family murders and a real-life break-in that happened in the director's neighborhood as a child.

My Take: What makes this terrifying is how "random" the violence is. When the killers are asked why they are doing it, they simply answer: "Because you were home."

5. Psycho (1960)

The Movie: A secretary ends up at a secluded motel run by a disturbed man under the control of his mother.

The True Story: The character of Norman Bates was inspired by Ed Gein, a real-life murderer and grave robber in Wisconsin.

My Take: This Alfred Hitchcock classic changed cinema forever. Gein also inspired other famous horror icons like Leatherface and Hannibal Lecter.

Sometimes, reality is far more frightening than fiction. These movies prove that the dark corners of our world hold stories more chilling than any screenwriter could imagine.

Looking for something less scary? Check out my list of [5 Hidden Gems on Netflix]!

Which of these "true" stories do you find the most frightening? Tell us in the comments!