'The Exorcist' and other horror movies inspired by real-life events

When you watch horror movies, you kind of know what to expect. From supernatural phenomena to murderers, these films are meant to spook us. But what makes them even more terrifying is when they are based on true events. Films such as 'The Exorcist' (1973), 'Annabelle' (2014), and 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005) are actually inspired by real stories.

Are you curious about the true stories that inspired these films? Then click on and get creeped out.

0 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005) -

In this movie, an attorney defends a priest who faces accusations of negligent homicide following an exorcism.

1 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005) -

This story is based on Anneliese Michel, who was 'allegedly' possessed and underwent more than 60 exorcisms. Tragically, Michel passed away from malnutrition. Her parents and priest were later convicted in connection with her death.

2 / 27 Fotos

'Zodiac' (2007) -

This film follows the story of a cartoonist fixated on uncovering the Zodiac killer.

3 / 27 Fotos

'Zodiac' (2007) -

The Zodiac killer terrorized California during the 60s and 70s. At least five murders were committed by him, but he claimed responsibility for 37. Zodiac sent his letters to the press, but his identity was never discovered.

4 / 27 Fotos

'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) -

Since its original debut in 1974, numerous films have been produced, including a 2003 movie featuring a disfigured man with a chainsaw relentlessly pursuing a group of friends.

5 / 27 Fotos

'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) -

The movie drew inspiration from the real-life tale of Ed Gein, a serial killer whose home was discovered to contain several objects crafted from human body parts.

6 / 27 Fotos

'The Strangers' (2008) -

In this film a young couple spends their vacation in an isolated house and is terrorized by a family of three.

7 / 27 Fotos

'The Strangers' (2008) -

The movie was based on Bryan Bertino's personal experiences during his childhood when strangers knocked on his door, only for him to later realize that they were burglars. Additionally, the film was inspired by the Manson family murders.

8 / 27 Fotos

'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991) -

A young FBI agent enlists the aid of a convicted murderer to catch another serial killer who viciously peels the skin off victims.

9 / 27 Fotos

'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991) -

The film is an adaptation of a novel by Thomas Harris. Prior to becoming an author, Harris was a crime reporting journalist. He drew inspiration from some of these events, including an interview with a doctor who was a murder convict on death row.

10 / 27 Fotos

'The Possession' (2012) -

A young girl unknowingly purchases an old box containing a trapped spirit during a yard sale in this movie.

11 / 27 Fotos

'The Possession' (2012) -

The film is inspired by stories about a dybbuk box, a concept rooted in Jewish mythology. This object in the film is real, so to speak. It is based on a box that was sold on eBay in 2003, along with a spooky story about the evils it supposedly caused.

12 / 27 Fotos

'The Haunting in Connecticut' (2009) -

The plot revolves around a family that is confronted with a series of supernatural experiences after moving into a new house.

13 / 27 Fotos

'The Haunting in Connecticut' (2009) -

This film is based on the true story of Allen and Carmen Snedeker, who bought a house that had previously been used as a funeral parlor. Many of the paranormal events described in the film are said to have actually happened.

14 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcist' (1973) -

A girl becomes possessed by an evil spirit in this horror classic. To get help, her mother enlists the assistance of two priests.

15 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcist' (1973) -

The film is an adaptation of a book with the same title, which was in turn influenced by the real exorcism of Roland Doe in 1949.

16 / 27 Fotos

'The Amityville Horror' (2005) -

Both the 1979 and 2005 versions depict the story of a couple who move into a house where a mass murder has occurred and subsequently experience a series of supernatural events.

17 / 27 Fotos

'The Amityville Horror' (2005) -

The storyline takes inspiration from the Lutz family, who relocated to the Amityville house in 1975 and experienced a succession of paranormal events.

18 / 27 Fotos

'The Conjuring' (2013) -

The movie is a portrayal of real events experienced by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

19 / 27 Fotos

'The Conjuring' (2013) -

Certain aspects of the film are based on true events. A lawsuit was filed by the previous owners of the house on which the movie was based. The claim was that the house had been vandalized after the movie was released.

20 / 27 Fotos

'Annabelle' (2014) -

'The Conjuring' (2013) creators released this film after the public became fascinated with the doll from the 2013 film. The story is based on a real paranormal investigation of Ed and Lorraine Warren, who believed that a doll was possessed by an evil spirit.

21 / 27 Fotos

'Ravenous' (1999) -

This is a dark and twisted horror comedy directed by Antonia Bird. The film is based on true events, specifically the infamous Donner Party incident of 1846-47.

22 / 27 Fotos

'Ravenous' (1999) -

This historical event involved a group of stranded pioneers who resorted to cannibalism to survive in the Sierra Nevada mountains. 'Ravenous' takes this gruesome story and adds a supernatural twist to it.

23 / 27 Fotos

'The Hills Have Eyes' (2006) -

In both 'The Hills Have Eyes' (2006) and 'Wrong Turn' (2003), people are hunted down and eaten by a group of cannibals in a remote location.

24 / 27 Fotos

'Wrong Turn' (2003) -

These films are based on the story of a 16th century Scottish clan that ate hundreds of people. Sawney Bean, the leader of the clan, was eventually executed.

25 / 27 Fotos

'Eaten Alive' (1976) -

The movie tells the true tale of Joe Ball, a 1930s serial killer who brutally killed over 20 women. Reports suggest that he fed the victims to his pet crocodiles.

26 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcist' and other horror movies inspired by real-life events -

Are you curious about the true stories that inspired these films? Then click on and get creeped out.

0 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005) -

In this movie, an attorney defends a priest who faces accusations of negligent homicide following an exorcism.

NL Beeld

1 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005) -

NL Beeld

2 / 27 Fotos

'Zodiac' (2007) -

This film follows the story of a cartoonist fixated on uncovering the Zodiac killer.

NL Beeld

3 / 27 Fotos

'Zodiac' (2007) -

NL Beeld

4 / 27 Fotos

'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) -

Since its original debut in 1974, numerous films have been produced, including a 2003 movie featuring a disfigured man with a chainsaw relentlessly pursuing a group of friends.

NL Beeld

5 / 27 Fotos

'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) -

The movie drew inspiration from the real-life tale of Ed Gein, a serial killer whose home was discovered to contain several objects crafted from human body parts.

6 / 27 Fotos

'The Strangers' (2008) -

In this film a young couple spends their vacation in an isolated house and is terrorized by a family of three.

NL Beeld

7 / 27 Fotos

'The Strangers' (2008) -

NL Beeld

8 / 27 Fotos

'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991) -

A young FBI agent enlists the aid of a convicted murderer to catch another serial killer who viciously peels the skin off victims.

NL Beeld

9 / 27 Fotos

'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991) -

NL Beeld

10 / 27 Fotos

'The Possession' (2012) -

A young girl unknowingly purchases an old box containing a trapped spirit during a yard sale in this movie.

NL Beeld

11 / 27 Fotos

'The Possession' (2012) -

NL Beeld

12 / 27 Fotos

'The Haunting in Connecticut' (2009) -

The plot revolves around a family that is confronted with a series of supernatural experiences after moving into a new house.

NL Beeld

13 / 27 Fotos

'The Haunting in Connecticut' (2009) -

NL Beeld

14 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcist' (1973) -

A girl becomes possessed by an evil spirit in this horror classic. To get help, her mother enlists the assistance of two priests.

NL Beeld

15 / 27 Fotos

'The Exorcist' (1973) -

The film is an adaptation of a book with the same title, which was in turn influenced by the real exorcism of Roland Doe in 1949.

Getty Images

16 / 27 Fotos

'The Amityville Horror' (2005) -

Both the 1979 and 2005 versions depict the story of a couple who move into a house where a mass murder has occurred and subsequently experience a series of supernatural events.

NL Beeld

17 / 27 Fotos

'The Amityville Horror' (2005) -

The storyline takes inspiration from the Lutz family, who relocated to the Amityville house in 1975 and experienced a succession of paranormal events.

NL Beeld

18 / 27 Fotos

'The Conjuring' (2013) -

The movie is a portrayal of real events experienced by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

NL Beeld

19 / 27 Fotos

'The Conjuring' (2013) -

NL Beeld

20 / 27 Fotos

'Annabelle' (2014) -

NL Beeld

21 / 27 Fotos

'Ravenous' (1999) -

This is a dark and twisted horror comedy directed by Antonia Bird. The film is based on true events, specifically the infamous Donner Party incident of 1846-47.

Getty Images

22 / 27 Fotos

'Ravenous' (1999) -

Getty Images

23 / 27 Fotos

'The Hills Have Eyes' (2006) -

In both 'The Hills Have Eyes' (2006) and 'Wrong Turn' (2003), people are hunted down and eaten by a group of cannibals in a remote location.

NL Beeld

24 / 27 Fotos

'Wrong Turn' (2003) -

These films are based on the story of a 16th century Scottish clan that ate hundreds of people. Sawney Bean, the leader of the clan, was eventually executed.

NL Beeld

25 / 27 Fotos

'Eaten Alive' (1976) -

The movie tells the true tale of Joe Ball, a 1930s serial killer who brutally killed over 20 women. Reports suggest that he fed the victims to his pet crocodiles.

Getty Images

26 / 27 Fotos