Top 10 Horror Movies Set in Abandoned Asylums

Abandoned asylums, with their decayed halls and haunted pasts, are the ultimate playground for horror filmmakers. These forgotten places, steeped in stories of suffering and mystery, create an eerie backdrop that turns every shadow into a threat, pulling you into tales of fear and the unknown.

I’ve hunted through horror’s darkest corners to bring you the top 10 movies set entirely in abandoned asylums. From ghostly chills to psychological dread, these films will make you rethink stepping into any crumbling institution.

10. ‘Grave Encounters’ (2011)

A reality TV crew locks themselves in the deserted Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital to film a ghost-hunting show, only to face real paranormal horrors. The night becomes a desperate struggle to escape the asylum’s wrath.

Sean Rogerson’s raw panic fuels this found-footage gem. The decaying hospital, with its endless corridors, amps up the terror in every shaky frame.

9. ‘Death Tunnel’ (2005)

Five college women are locked in the abandoned Waverly Hills Sanatorium for a prank, only to encounter vengeful spirits tied to the asylum’s grim history. Their night unravels into a fight for survival.

The low-budget film leans on its creepy real-life location, Waverly Hills, to deliver chills. Its ghostly encounters and dark backstory make it a spooky hidden gem.

8. ‘Asylum of the Damned’ (2014)

A doctor takes a job at a shuttered asylum to study its dark past, only to awaken malevolent forces tied to horrific experiments. The abandoned facility becomes a trap for his sanity and life.

Stephen Rea’s understated performance anchors this chilling tale. The asylum’s rotting interiors and supernatural dread create a relentless sense of doom.

7. ‘The Chair’ (2016)

A death row inmate uncovers a cursed electric chair in an abandoned asylum tied to his prison, unleashing supernatural horrors. His investigation into the chair’s origins turns into a nightmarish ordeal.

Roddy Piper’s gritty intensity carries this lesser-known horror. The deserted asylum’s eerie vibe and cursed object make it a haunting standout.

6. ‘Boo’ (2005)

A group of friends sneaks into an abandoned asylum on Halloween night, hoping for thrills. Instead, they’re hunted by the vengeful ghost of a patient from the hospital’s brutal past.

The film’s low-key cast, led by Trish Coren, delivers solid scares. The crumbling asylum’s dark history and ghostly presence keep the tension high.

5. ‘Session 9’ (2001)

A hazmat team is hired to clean the abandoned Danvers State Hospital, where they find disturbing patient tapes. The asylum’s dark energy seeps into their minds, unraveling their sanity.

Peter Mullan and David Caruso lead this psychological chiller. The real-life, decayed Danvers setting adds a suffocating weight to the slow-burn terror.

4. ‘Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum’ (2018)

A Korean horror crew films a live broadcast in the abandoned Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, rumored to be cursed. As they explore, malevolent forces trap them in a night of unrelenting horror.

Wi Ha-joon and Park Ji-hyun’s terrified performances drive this found-footage hit. The asylum’s stark, haunted halls make every moment a heart-pounding scare.

3. ‘House on Haunted Hill’ (1999)

A millionaire invites strangers to spend a night in a deserted asylum for a cash prize, but the building’s violent past unleashes ghosts and chaos. Survival becomes a bloody, desperate game.

Geoffrey Rush’s campy flair and Famke Janssen’s edge shine in this remake. The asylum’s gothic decay and gory shocks deliver a wild, thrilling ride.

2. ‘The Ridges’ (2011)

Four friends break into the abandoned Athens Lunatic Asylum to film a documentary, only to face paranormal forces tied to the institution’s grim experiments. Their curiosity turns into a fight to escape alive.

The micro-budget film uses its real Ohio asylum setting to chilling effect. Its raw, intimate horror makes the deserted halls feel suffocatingly alive.

1. ‘Hell House LLC’ (2015)

A haunted house crew sets up a Halloween attraction in the abandoned Abaddon Hotel, a former asylum with a dark past. As they prepare, supernatural forces awaken, turning their project into a deadly trap.

The found-footage style and unknown cast, led by Gore Abrams, create a chillingly real vibe. The asylum’s decayed rooms and relentless scares make it a modern horror classic.

Which abandoned asylum horror flick kept you up at night, or did I miss a bone-chilling gem? Share your spooky picks in the comments!