One of my favorite genres of Horror, whether movies or books, is the haunted house. There is just something wonderful about a creepy home that has spirits of those gone before walking the halls and scaring the crap out of people. I decided to share some of the cinematic homes I would not stay in for a hour let along live in.
Who would want to live in 112 Ocean Avenue? The house from "The Amityville Horror" is truly one of the creepiest homes in movie history. From ichor oozing out of the walls to driving the inhabitants homicidal what more would you want from a haunted house? It also is the subject of a controversial book, The Amityville Horror - A True Story by Jay Anson.
The Allardyce House is truly a carnivorous structure feeding off and restoring itself from the lives of it's dwellers. Violence, blood, and death brings this dilapidated mansion back to life. "Burnt Offerings" is a wonderful movie and a still unread book by Robert Marasco.
The Belasco House, the centerpiece of "The Legend of Hell House" based off of a Richard Matheson book, it is the Mount Everest of haunted houses. Whether it's one spirit or many, this house is truly a repository for evil and terror.
Hill House, the massive home built by Hugh Crane, is the beginning and the ending of Eleanor Vance's life. Loud pounding on the walls, messages written on the walls, and rooms that close in on themselves will be enough to convince you this house is truly evil. This version of the house, the 1963 "The Haunting", is far superior to the remake and more closely resembles the house in the book The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
The dwelling from "The House on Haunted Hill" from 1959 is truly a place of murder and mayhem. With secret rooms and vats of acid in the cellar you may never come out if you go in.
The Nebbercracker house has a mind and life of it's own in "Monster House". When the spirit of a circus freak decides to take vengeance no one is safe from it's wrath.
Who would want a visit from Norman Bates in the shower? That alone is enough to keep me far away from the Bates House, the Bates Motel, the county, and the state.
Rose Red, the decrepit old mansion in Seattle, is definitely one crazy house. What else would you call a house that continues to change and grow all by itself? This is one of Stephen King's best works.
The Overlook Hotel, in "The Shining", is one hotel you will check in and never check out. From crazy twin girls to a ballroom full of people this hotel is one that is truly haunted and will drive you to kill.
First of all who would want to live in an old orphanage, especially one you lived in as a child? The spooky residence in "The Orphanage", is truly one of the creepiest I've seen in a long time. Anytime you movie into a home that is haunted by children, run the other way.
19 comments:
You picked some great houses there. First one I thought of when I read the title was Amityville Horror.
I wouldn't want to live in the house from Coraline. Scary!
Great post! Yeah, these are the houses I would want to avoid as well. Did I read right that you haven't read Burnt Offerings? You really must read it...it's a great book!
The entire town of Gatlin Nebraska from Children of the Corn.
Hi, Ryan! Unlike you, these are actually my dream houses! Hehe. I have yet to see a ghost and I think that living in one of these houses would allow me to finally see one!
Ryan this is excellent and hits a 10 on the creepy scale!
Looking at these houses brought back the memories! I wouldn't want to live their either but I love to tour old homes.... maybe in daylight... with a group of 50 :)
I've seen just about all of these movies. The Orphanage was really spooky ! Great post!
Oooh, I'm already creeped out, just looking at the pix!
Actually, I don't even like huge houses, with lots of hallways and annexes...just because of the potential spook factor.
Oh, The Overlook Hotel would be my number one to stay away from. Eek. And the book was scarier than the film - Those animal bushes outside the hotel that would move when you weren't looking. Scary stuff.
I think I'd also have to make a mental note to avoid living within a twelve-street radius of Regan MacNeil. Don't want to go to any of her mother's parties, don't want to be walking past those concrete steps that everyone seems to fall down, and don't want to be anywhere near her house!
Frankly, I wouldn't want to live in the White House. Too many tourists.
I really want to see The Orphanage! Really cool and spooky post, Ryan! Fun! Happy Halloween to you!
Awesome post! What a fun list. Unusual houses have always been an interest of mine. The Winchester House is on my "must see" list.
Hey Ryan. This is a great list of houses not to live in. I was waiting to see the Bates house and the Hotel from the Shining. I do have to agree not to live in a house that is haunted by children and was once an orphanage, *shiver*.
I thought maybe just maybe you would have Monster House on here too. I do agree with these ones most definitely but didn't know if you where going to throw a cartoon house in here or not.
Great list.
Great list! Wouldn't mind visiting any on the list, but only during the daylight. And with Sheila's 50-person tour!
I thought of the Winchester Mystery House as well. Another cool place to visit.
Hey Ryan, (I am sorry to do this to you because I know you just got caught up.) But I have another award for you.
This is so cool! This list is great! I would love to actually visit these spooky houses but never, ever(!!) sleep in one of them. That wouldnt end too well. But they are all very cool looking.
-Arielle
Arielle, I was thinking it would be neat to visit some of these as well. But ONLY in daylight! Not at night.
Fantastic post, Ryan!
Cool list, Ryan!
I think I might just add Collinwood to the list (ok, Dark Shadows was primarily a TV series, but they did make several movies, too). I don't think I would like to live in either the main house, or the "Old House". I have seen the actual house used for the outside shots of the main mansion, in Newport, and it was a real thrill for me, even though all I could do was take pictures of it from the street in front.
I think that both Hill House and Rose Red were inspired by the Winchester Mystery House, which several people have mentioned. I have toured it, and it is definitely worth it! If anyone gets the chance, reserved most of the day for it. There are several tours, and I spent almost four hours, I think.
Dulcinea
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