Movies That Were Cursed During Production (with Strange Accidents)

Hollywood history is filled with stories of productions plagued by inexplicable accidents and tragedies that suggest a supernatural influence. Some films became notorious for the series of misfortunes that befell their casts and crews during and after filming. These incidents range from freak weather events to terminal illnesses and fatal accidents on set. Filmmakers and fans alike often speculate whether these occurrences are mere coincidences or the result of a genuine curse.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Buddy Ebsen suffered a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum powder makeup used for the Tin Man character. Margaret Hamilton received second degree burns on her face and third degree burns on her hand when a trap door malfunctioned during a pyrotechnics scene. Several actors playing Winged Monkeys were injured when the piano wires suspending them snapped unexpectedly. The set became a hazardous environment that left many of the lead performers with lasting physical trauma.

‘Rebel Without a Cause’ (1955)

The production of this classic film is often associated with the untimely deaths of its three lead actors. James Dean died in a high speed car crash shortly before the movie was released to the public. Natalie Wood drowned under mysterious circumstances years later while Sal Mineo was tragically murdered in an alleyway. These events led many to believe the film carried a dark legacy for those involved in its creation.

‘The Conqueror’ (1956)

The filming location in Utah was situated downwind from a site used for atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. Within twenty five years of production over ninety members of the cast and crew developed various forms of cancer. Leading man John Wayne and director Dick Powell were among those who eventually succumbed to the illness. The high rate of sickness among the crew remains one of the most chilling statistics in cinematic history.

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)

The production was marked by a series of strange events including the composer Krzysztof Komeda falling into a fatal coma shortly after filming. Producer William Castle received threatening letters and suffered a painful kidney stone attack that left him delirious in the hospital. The most famous tragedy associated with the film was the brutal murder of director Roman Polanski’s wife Sharon Tate by the Manson Family. Many people believe the dark subject matter of the film invited real world malevolence.

‘The Exorcist’ (1973)

A mysterious fire destroyed almost the entire set of the MacNeil home except for the bedroom where the exorcism took place. Several people connected to the production died during the filming including actors Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros. Ellen Burstyn suffered a permanent spinal injury when a harness malfunctioned during a scene where she was thrown across the room. The production was so troubled that the director requested a priest to perform an actual exorcism on the set.

‘The Omen’ (1976)

The production of this supernatural horror film was plagued by lightning strikes and near fatal accidents. A plane carrying scriptwriter David Seltzer was struck by lightning and the same thing happened to actor Gregory Peck’s plane weeks later. Producer Harvey Bernhard narrowly escaped being hit by lightning while filming in Rome. A private plane hired by the production crashed shortly after takeoff and killed everyone on board including the pilot’s family.

‘Superman’ (1978)

The Superman curse is a well known Hollywood legend that suggests a hex follows anyone who plays the titular hero. George Reeves died from a gunshot wound that was officially ruled a suicide though many fans disputed the finding. Christopher Reeve became paralyzed from the neck down following a tragic horse riding accident years after his tenure as the Man of Steel ended. Other actors in the franchise including Margot Kidder also faced significant personal struggles and health issues.

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

The production faced constant delays due to extreme weather and health crises in the Philippine jungle. A massive typhoon destroyed several expensive sets and forced the crew to stop filming for several weeks. Lead actor Martin Sheen suffered a near fatal heart attack at the age of thirty six and had to crawl for help. Marlon Brando arrived on set significantly overweight and refused to learn his lines which added to the immense stress of the shoot.

‘Stalker’ (1979)

The film was shot near a chemical plant in Estonia that leaked toxic waste into the surrounding water and soil. Director Andrei Tarkovsky and his wife both died from a rare form of lung cancer years after the production concluded. Lead actor Anatoly Solonitsyn also died from the same type of cancer which many believe was caused by the environmental hazards on set. The crew noticed a strange white foam on the river during filming that was later identified as poisonous chemical runoff.

‘Roar’ (1981)

The production of this film involved over one hundred untrained lions and tigers that frequently attacked the cast and crew. Cinematographer Jan de Bont required over one hundred stitches after a lion partially scalped him during a shot. Lead actress Melanie Griffith suffered a facial injury that required extensive reconstructive surgery. Over seventy documented attacks occurred during the eleven years it took to complete the project.

‘Poltergeist’ (1982)

This horror classic is famous for the deaths of four cast members in the six years following the original film. Young actress Heather O’Rourke died at age twelve from cardiac arrest and septic shock caused by a bowel obstruction. Dominique Dunne was murdered by an abusive ex boyfriend shortly after the movie premiered in theaters. Julian Beck and Will Sampson also passed away from illnesses shortly after completing their work on the sequels.

‘Twilight Zone: The Movie’ (1983)

A horrific helicopter accident on set resulted in the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two child performers. The helicopter lost control during a pyrotechnics explosion and crashed into the actors who were standing in a shallow river. This tragedy led to significant changes in labor laws regarding child actors and safety regulations on film sets. The director and several crew members faced criminal charges for involuntary manslaughter though they were ultimately acquitted.

‘The Crow’ (1994)

Brandon Lee was killed during a filming accident when a prop gun fired a fragment of a real bullet. The production had already faced numerous issues including a crew member being severely burned by power lines and a carpenter driving a screwdriver through his hand. A disgruntled employee reportedly drove a car into the back of the studio set during a fit of rage. The film was eventually finished using a stunt double and digital effects to honor the memory of the lead actor.

‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)

Assistant director Jan Michelini was struck by lightning twice during the filming of this biblical epic. Lead actor Jim Caviezel was also hit by lightning while filming the Sermon on the Mount scene and survived the ordeal. Caviezel suffered from pneumonia and a dislocated shoulder during the grueling production in Italy. The production was marked by these strange weather phenomena that many interpreted as a spiritual sign.

‘The Innkeepers’ (2011)

The crew stayed at the actual haunted Yankee Pedlar Inn where the story is set during the filming process. Director Ti West reported that doors would open and close on their own and lights would flicker without any electrical explanation. Several crew members experienced vivid dreams about the ghosts that were said to haunt the building. The lead actress felt a strange presence in her room that made it difficult for her to sleep during the shoot.

‘The Possession’ (2012)

A storage facility containing all of the props for the movie burned to the ground under mysterious circumstances. Investigators could find no evidence of arson or electrical failure to explain the sudden fire that destroyed the inventory. Lead actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan reported that light bulbs would frequently explode on set when the prop Dybbuk box was present. The cast felt a persistent sense of unease and cold spots throughout the filming process.

‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

The real life Perron family visited the set and reported a strange wind that seemed to follow them without moving the nearby trees. Director James Wan noted that his dog would bark at invisible figures in his office late at night. Actress Vera Farmiga discovered three mysterious claw marks on her computer screen after researching her role as Lorraine Warren. A fire at the hotel where the cast was staying forced an evacuation during the middle of the production.

‘Annabelle’ (2014)

A large glass light fixture fell and struck an actor playing a janitor in a hallway where the demon character kills a janitor in the script. Director John Leonetti saw three finger marks in the dust on the windows which mirrored the three fingered demon in the film. The production crew reported several pieces of equipment moving on their own when no one was near them. These strange coincidences made the cast extremely nervous about handling the cursed doll prop.

‘The Nun’ (2018)

Director Corin Hardy claimed to have encountered real ghosts while filming in a dark corridor of a Romanian fortress. He saw two men sitting in the shadows and assumed they were members of the sound department until they vanished completely. The production was filmed in actual ancient locations that added a sense of dread to the environment. Crew members reported hearing unexplained whispers and footsteps in the empty stone halls of the castle.

‘The Matrix Reloaded’ (2003)

The production of the sequels was marred by personal tragedies including the death of singer Aaliyah in a plane crash. Actress Gloria Foster who played the Oracle also passed away during the filming process due to complications from diabetes. Keanu Reeves suffered a broken ankle in a motorcycle accident while Carrie Anne Moss injured her leg during a stunt. These incidents contributed to a difficult filming schedule for the ambitious science fiction project.

Please share your thoughts on these infamous film productions in the comments.