13 Famous Scary Movie Towns Around the World

If you grew up watching Disney movies as a kid, then Hocus Pocus probably gave you a good scare. Although it’s not as spooky from an adult’s perspective, this movie is still a Halloween classic. Filmed in Salem, Massachusetts—a town known for the Salem Witch Trials—Hocus Pocus taught us that not all witches play nice (and that Sarah Jessica Parker looks stunning in literally any role). The movie now has a sequel, but whether you embrace the new chapter or not, visiting some of the spots where the original movie was filmed will leave you spellbound.

Related: Haunted Salem: A Spooky City Guide to Salem

A refreshingly new take on post-apocalyptic horror, A Quiet Place is a supernatural thriller that proved John Krasinski could successfully shed his Jim Halpert persona. Dutchess County in upstate New York made the perfect backdrop for this blockbuster due to its thick forests and untouched landscapes. On your way upstate, make some time for a spooky burial ground walking tour or a visit to the New York catacombs.

It’s almost impossible to go trick-or-treating without seeing someone dressed up as the notorious knife-slinging slayer from the movie Scream. The original 1996 blockbuster was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, a port city that has become known as Hollywood East. This charming destination offers a variety of activities for visitors (Scream fans included), such as e-bike tours, sunset sails, and city-wide scavenger hunts.

The infamously scary Insidious was made on a shoestring budget but went on to become one of the most profitable films of 2011. Much of the movie takes place inside two houses, both located in Los Angeles, California. Conveniently, LA is also home to Hollywood, the film capital of the world. Film fans planning a visit to Los Angeles won’t want to miss the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a sightseeing tour of celebrity homes, or a hike to the Hollywood sign.

Although VHS tapes may seem like relics in today’s streaming world, this motion picture—featuring a haunted video tape that dooms all who watch it—still entertains modern-day audiences with its jump scares. Though filmed in multiple locations around the US, Washington State’s chilly atmosphere served the movie’s narrative particularly well and major parts of the film were also shot in Seattle, known for its coffee culture and iconic landmarks including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, released in 1974, was filmed in—you guessed it—Texas. Shot with a grainy 16mm camera, and an array of amateur actors pulled from the drama department of the University of Texas, this grotesque movie follows the narrative of a boy and his chainsaw. Filming locations include various places in the Lone Star State, which isn’t short of supernatural activities such as historic ghost tours, haunted bus rides, cemetery strolls, and even haunted pub crawls.

Insider tip: The gas station from the film—Bilbo’s Texas Landmark—has since turned into a restaurant, memorabilia store, and resort called We Slaughter Barbecue in Bastrop.

What happens when you combine the genius of Stanley Kubrick, a book by the infamous Stephen King, and the on-screen talent of Jack Nicholson? You get a cinematic masterpiece full of psychological thrills and terrifying suspense. Released in 1980, much of this movie was filmed inside a studio in Hertfordshire, England—a country which is also associated with the Harry Potter franchise; English serial killer, Jack the Ripper; and Sherlock Holmes.

Insider tip: Stephen King actually based his book on paranormal experiences he had while staying at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado. So, to get a real feel for the film’s true horror, book a room and pay a visit to the nearby Estes Park.

If you’re on the lookout for an incredibly effective Halloween costume, call the girl from Orphan since she was able to conceal her identity from her adoptive family for months, after all. Given that the classic now has a prequel, Orphan: First Kill, it’s the perfect time to rewatch the old favorite and visit its most prominent filming location: Toronto, Canada. Once there, head to Niagara Falls, take a local food tour, or keep things eerie by familiarizing yourself with the ghosts of Toronto’s Distillery District.

If you’ve seen the movie IT, you’re probably going to avoid red balloons this Halloween. Another classic based on a novel by Stephen King, this film capitalizes on an oh-so-common fear: clowns. Most of the movie was filmed in Port Hope, Canada, located in the southern end of Ontario. While there, avoid provoking any killer clowns but do consider stopping by Lake Ontario, indulging in a full-day wine tour, or taking a haunted jail tour in nearby Ottawa.

One of the few scary movies that isn’t based on paranormal happenings, The Strangers takes place inside a secluded vacation home. The exterior of said home (and surrounding homes) were located in Timmonsville, which is roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) outside the city of Florence, South Carolina. Scary movie fans are in luck, too, since this southern state isn’t short on spooky happenings. Not convinced? Try a haunted horse and carriage ride, a nighttime tour inside a church graveyard, or a walk through a dark dungeon and then get back to us.

With a mix of satanic worship, decapitation, and self-immolation, Hereditary is near-unforgettable. Described by director Ari Aster as “a family tragedy that curdles into a nightmare,” the movie was filmed in multiple locations in Utah including Park City and Salt Lake City, the ideal spots for scary movie lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. If you’re considering Utah for your next trip, roam the sandstone domes of Hell’s Revenge with a 4WD; take a backcountry jeep tour; or try your hand at a canyoneering experience.

The house showcased in this flick belonged to the director himself—who was inspired to create the film after hearing strange noises inside his own home—and it’s located on Bavarian Drive in San Diego, California. While he didn’t have prior moviemaking experience, the home video camera used for filming added a nice grainy touch to the final product. If you find yourself in town, and you’re looking to go beyond the paranormal, try your hand at sunset sailing, whale watching, speed boating, or cave snorkeling.

Appropriately coming in at number 13 is none other than Friday the 13th. The success of this 1980 motion picture prompted one of the most iconic scary movie franchises of all time. While the movie’s setting, Camp Crystal Lake, may be a fictional spot in the middle of the woods, it was filmed at a real camp—Camp NoBeBoSco, a Boy Scouts retreat in Hardwick, New Jersey. While you’re in the area, consider heading to a poltergeist-themed escape room or taking a haunted ghost tour to keep things interesting.