Cursed Towns and Haunted Highways: 10 Supernatural Horror Films Set in America

America’s vast landscapes, from sleepy small towns to endless highways, set the stage for some of the creepiest supernatural horror films. These stories tap into our fear of the unknown, blending ghostly hauntings, cursed places, and eerie roads to deliver unforgettable scares. Whether it’s a town hiding dark secrets or a highway stalked by otherworldly forces, these films make you think twice about where you’re driving or settling down.

I’ve rounded up ten supernatural horror films set in America that bring cursed towns and haunted highways to life. Each one uses its setting to amplify the terror, pulling you into worlds where the paranormal feels all too real. From isolated villages to desolate roads, these movies show why America’s backroads and forgotten places are perfect for horror.

‘Children of the Corn’ (1984)

In the quiet town of Gatlin, Nebraska, a sinister force has taken over. A young couple, played by Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton, stumbles into this isolated place where children have formed a cult worshipping a demonic entity known as He Who Walks Behind the Rows. The cornfields surrounding the town become a maze of terror, hiding deadly secrets.

Based on Stephen King’s short story, this film uses Gatlin’s emptiness to create a chilling atmosphere. The idea of kids turning against adults adds a disturbing layer, making the town feel like a trap. The supernatural presence in the fields keeps you on edge, proving nowhere is safe.

‘The Amityville Horror’ (1979)

A house in Amityville, New York, becomes a nightmare for the Lutz family. James Brolin and Margot Kidder star as the couple who move into a dream home with a dark past—murders committed by a previous resident. Soon, they face paranormal terrors, from bleeding walls to demonic voices, hinting the house itself is alive with evil.

This film, inspired by real-life claims, set the standard for haunted house stories. The quiet Long Island town makes the supernatural events feel even more jarring. Its slow build and creepy visuals stick with you, showing how a cursed home can tear a family apart.

‘Poltergeist’ (1982)

A suburban family in California faces terror when their home is invaded by malevolent spirits. Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, ‘Poltergeist’ follows the Freeling family as their youngest daughter is abducted by ghosts through a portal in their house. The quiet neighborhood hides a dark secret tied to the land itself.

The film’s mix of family drama and supernatural horror makes it timeless. The idea that a modern, cookie-cutter suburb could be built on a cursed site feels unsettlingly plausible. Its iconic scenes, like the TV portal, keep the scares fresh even decades later.

‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

Three filmmakers venture into the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland, to investigate the legend of the Blair Witch. Using a found-footage style, the movie follows their descent into fear as they’re haunted by unseen forces in the forest. The town’s eerie history and the endless woods amplify the dread.

This low-budget film sparked a horror revolution with its raw, realistic feel. The lack of visible monsters makes the supernatural presence even scarier, letting your imagination run wild. Burkittsville’s quiet charm hides a dark curse that feels all too real.

‘The Fog’ (1980)

In the coastal town of Antonio Bay, California, a ghostly fog rolls in, bringing vengeful spirits from a century-old shipwreck. Directed by John Carpenter, the film stars Adrienne Barbeau and Jamie Lee Curtis as townsfolk fighting to survive the supernatural onslaught. The fog itself becomes a character, hiding deadly secrets.

The isolated seaside setting makes the ghostly threat feel inescapable. Carpenter’s eerie score and slow-building tension create a chilling vibe. The town’s dark past ties the horror to its very foundation, making every misty night terrifying.

‘Silent Hill’ (2006)

Based on the video game, ‘Silent Hill’ follows a mother, played by Radha Mitchell, searching for her daughter in the foggy, abandoned town of Silent Hill, West Virginia. The town is a cursed place, shifting into a nightmarish dimension filled with monstrous creatures and supernatural forces tied to a dark cult.

The film’s haunting visuals and unsettling atmosphere make the town itself a character. Silent Hill’s eerie emptiness and twisted alternate reality create a unique kind of horror. It’s a place you’d never want to visit, where every corner hides a new terror.

‘The Wicker Man’ (2006)

A remake of the 1973 classic, this film stars Nicolas Cage as a sheriff investigating a missing girl on the isolated island of Summersisle, Washington. The island’s strange community, led by a cult with pagan rituals, hides a supernatural secret that threatens his life. The rural setting feels like a trap.

The film leans into psychological horror but keeps a supernatural edge with its eerie rituals. Summersisle’s isolation makes the sheriff’s desperation palpable, as the town’s curse unfolds. Cage’s intense performance adds to the unsettling vibe of this cursed place.

‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (2003)

A group of friends driving through rural Texas stumbles upon a house of horrors in this remake of the 1974 classic. While not purely supernatural, the film hints at a cursed family, the Hewitts, whose depravity feels almost otherworldly. Jessica Biel stars as they fight to escape a nightmarish town.

The desolate Texas backroads and abandoned town create a sense of hopelessness. The film’s gritty visuals and relentless pace make the horror feel raw. The idea that such a place could exist in America’s heartland is what makes it so chilling.

‘It Follows’ (2014)

Set in suburban Detroit, ‘It Follows’ introduces a unique curse passed through physical intimacy. Maika Monroe plays Jay, a teen hunted by a shape-shifting entity that stalks her relentlessly. The film uses quiet neighborhoods and open roads to make the supernatural threat feel inescapable.

The slow, deliberate pace of the entity’s pursuit builds dread in every scene. The film’s modern setting contrasts with the ancient-feeling curse, making it feel like danger could lurk anywhere. Its haunting score and creative premise make it a standout.

‘Jeepers Creepers’ (2001)

On a remote American highway, siblings played by Gina Philips and Justin Long are hunted by a monstrous creature known as the Creeper. This supernatural predator awakens every 23 years to feed, turning a simple road trip into a fight for survival. The open road becomes a death trap.

The film’s mix of urban legend and supernatural horror creates a gripping story. The Creeper’s eerie design and the desolate highway setting amplify the fear. It makes you rethink those long drives through America’s empty stretches.

Which supernatural horror film set in America’s cursed towns or haunted highways creeps you out the most, or did I miss a chilling favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!