15 Times Ghost Stories Surrounded a Movie Set

The world of horror movies is built on chilling stories, but sometimes the real scares happen behind the scenes. From unexplained noises to ghostly sightings, some movie sets have become as haunting as the films themselves.

I’ve dug into the creepy tales surrounding movie productions, focusing on moments that left casts and crews shaken. Here are 15 films where ghost stories swirled around the set, each with its own unsettling vibe.

The Nun (2018)

Director Corin Hardy had a chilling moment while filming ‘The Nun’ in a Romanian castle. He stepped into a dark room to let a camera pass and saw two men sitting quietly, assuming they were crew members. After the take, he turned to speak to them, but they had vanished. The room had only one exit, leaving Hardy rattled by the impossible disappearance.

This creepy encounter wasn’t the only oddity. The castle’s eerie atmosphere amplified the tension, with crew members reporting strange sounds echoing through the halls. ‘The Nun’ already explored demonic forces, but these real-life scares made the set feel like a portal to the supernatural.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

While shooting ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose,’ actress Jennifer Carpenter faced bizarre disturbances at home. Her radio would turn on by itself at night, blasting songs like Pearl Jam’s ‘Alive’ at full volume. The incidents happened multiple times, leaving her spooked.

The set itself wasn’t free of weirdness either. Crew members noted unexplained equipment malfunctions, and the heavy subject matter—based on a real exorcism case—created a tense vibe. Carpenter later said the radio incidents stopped once filming wrapped, but they left a lasting chill.

The Possession (2012)

The set of ‘The Possession’ was plagued by eerie events tied to its cursed Dybbuk box prop. Lights exploded without warning, and cold drafts swept through sealed sets. The creepiest moment came after filming, when a storage facility holding the movie’s props burned down mysteriously.

Investigators couldn’t pinpoint the fire’s cause, and the Dybbuk box replica was destroyed in the blaze. The cast refused to replace it, fearing it was cursed. The film’s story of a haunted object seemed to bleed into reality, leaving everyone uneasy.

The Innkeepers (2011)

Filmed at the reportedly haunted Yankee Pedlar Inn in Connecticut, ‘The Innkeepers’ set was a hotbed of strange activity. The crew stayed at the inn during production, and many reported doors slamming shut and lights flickering inexplicably. Director Ti West was so intrigued that he later made the film inspired by these events.

Actress Sara Paxton felt an oppressive presence in her room, struggling to sleep throughout the shoot. The inn’s ghostly reputation, combined with these incidents, made the low-budget horror film’s production feel like a real ghost hunt.

Psycho (1960)

The iconic ‘Psycho’ carries a grim tale from years after its release. Myra Davis, a stand-in for Janet Leigh during the shower scene, was murdered in 1988. Some speculate her killer was obsessed with that famous scene, though no direct link was proven.

On set, the intense atmosphere of Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller left the crew on edge. Actors reported feeling watched during quiet moments, and the Bates Motel set felt unnervingly lifelike. The film’s legacy of terror seemed to cast a shadow long after the cameras stopped rolling.

The Crow (1994)

‘The Crow’ is infamous for the tragic on-set death of star Brandon Lee, but eerie stories also haunted the production. Crew members heard unexplained footsteps and whispers in the studio at night. Some believed the set was cursed, given the film’s dark themes of death and revenge.

Adding to the unease, a carpenter was electroc personally during set construction, and a storm destroyed part of the set. The grim vibe of ‘The Crow’ seemed to attract a supernatural presence that lingered over the production.

The Omen (1976)

The set of ‘The Omen’ was riddled with creepy occurrences. During post-production, editor Tom Priestley saw ghostly figures in the footage that weren’t there during filming. The crew also faced bizarre accidents, like a plane crash involving the producer’s family.

Lead actor Gregory Peck was shaken when lightning struck his plane during travel. The film’s story of the Antichrist felt all too real, and the crew’s constant sense of dread made ‘The Omen’ a production few could forget.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

While filming ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’ strange events unnerved the cast. Actress Mia Farrow reported vivid hallucinations during intense scenes, feeling as if unseen eyes were watching her. The set’s oppressive atmosphere, paired with the occult storyline, fueled paranoia among the crew.

A prop cross in a church scene across from the set reportedly moved on its own, startling those nearby. The film’s exploration of satanic forces seemed to stir something unsettling, leaving everyone on edge throughout the shoot.

The Conjuring (2013)

‘The Conjuring,’ based on the real-life Perron family haunting, had its own share of spooky moments. Actress Vera Farmiga, playing Lorraine Warren, found three claw-like scratches on her laptop screen after researching her role. She refused to bring the script home, fearing it carried bad energy.

On set, the Perron family visited, and a strange wind swirled around them while nearby trees stayed still. Later, a hotel fire forced the crew to evacuate, adding to the sense that the film’s dark themes had awakened something real.

The Amityville Horror (1979)

The original ‘Amityville Horror’ set was steeped in eerie vibes, tied to its basis in the real DeFeo murders. Star James Brolin, initially skeptical, was spooked when his pants fell off a hanger while reading the script, a moment that convinced him to take the role.

During filming, crew members reported hearing disembodied voices and seeing shadows move in the house. The 2005 remake also had oddities, like a dead body washing ashore near the set, amplifying the story’s haunted reputation.

The Exorcist (1973)

‘The Exorcist’ is notorious for its troubled production. A massive fire destroyed most of the set, sparing only Regan’s bedroom, which felt oddly symbolic. The blaze, possibly caused by a pigeon hitting a light box, delayed filming for weeks and shook the cast.

Actors Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros died shortly after their scenes were shot, and multiple crew injuries added to the chaos. A priest was called to bless the set, as the demonic storyline seemed to invite real terror.

Poltergeist (1982)

The original ‘Poltergeist’ set was marked by creepy events, starting with the use of real human skeletons in the muddy pool scene, a cost-saving choice that unsettled actress JoBeth Williams. She only learned the truth after filming, adding to the set’s dark lore.

Crew members reported hearing whispers and feeling cold spots in the house set. The film’s story of spirits invading a suburban home seemed to blur with reality, leaving a lingering sense of unease that fueled talk of a curse.

Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

The ‘Poltergeist’ series is often called cursed, and the second film’s set had its share of eerie moments. Producer Will Sampson, a Native American shaman, felt an evil presence and performed an exorcism on the set before filming began. Sadly, he died shortly after production.

Crew members reported props moving on their own and strange shadows in the corners. The film’s focus on vengeful spirits seemed to echo in these unsettling incidents, making the set feel alive with unseen forces.

Poltergeist III (1988)

‘Poltergeist III’ continued the franchise’s haunted reputation. Filmed on the same soundstage as ‘Happy Days,’ where young actress Heather O’Rourke had worked, the crew heard childlike laughter and footsteps in the rafters. Many believed it was O’Rourke’s spirit, as she had passed away before the film’s release.

The set also faced technical issues, like lights flickering during key scenes. The cast felt an eerie presence, tying the film’s ghostly themes to the real-life chills they experienced.

Ghost (1990)

Though not a horror film, ‘Ghost’ had its own spooky tales. Filmed on the same Stage 19 where Heather O’Rourke shot ‘Happy Days,’ the crew heard footsteps and a child’s laughter in the rafters. Many believed it was O’Rourke’s spirit, given her love for climbing there.

The set’s atmosphere grew heavy, with equipment failing unexpectedly. The film’s story of a spirit lingering after death felt eerily close to the unexplained phenomena the cast and crew encountered.

Which ghostly tale from these movie sets gave you the chills, or did I miss a spooky story? Share your thoughts in the comments!