Ghost stories are as old as time itself. It seems that from the moment we learned to communicate, stories about the unknown were passed down from generation to generation, often in the form of oral tales told around the campfire.
In cinema, ghost stories date backas far as the late 1800s, and they’ve been a staple in the genre of horror ever since. While films such asThe Sixth Sense,The Shining, andThe Hauntinghave gotten a lot of love over the years, here are 10 underrated horror movies about ghosts that deserve to be recognized.
1408 (2007)
Based on the short story by Stephen King,1408hit theaters on June 22nd, 2007, and has gone largely overlooked in the annals of ghost films. Directed by Mikael Håfström, the film stars John Cusack as a cynical author of the paranormalwho investigates places that are allegedly haunted, only to be disappointed most times. When he receives a mysterious note warning him against investigating room 1408 of The Dolphin Hotel in New York City, his interest is piqued, leading to a bizarre chain of events that are the stuff of nightmares.
With excellent performances from Cusack, and Samuel L. Jackson,1408is one of those films that is more than just a ghost story. It’s a family drama at its core, as Cusack’s backstory includes a deceased child, and an estranged ex-wife. The creep factor in this one is off the charts, though, and in the filmography of Stephen King movies,1408is certainly one of the better offerings that’s not to be missed.
The Changeling (1980)
After his wife and child are killed in a horrific car accident, an esteemed music composer moves into an old mansion that turns out to be haunted by the ghost of a disabled boy. Starring the incomparable George C. Scott,The Changelingis a classic ghost story wrapped in a murder mystery that offers up old-fashioned scares and a gothic atmosphere.
While it does have somewhat of a cult following,The Changelingis one of those films that has gone criminally underrated by mainstream audiences, thanks in part to its slow-burn style of horror. There are nobig jump scareshere, as everything is dished out in small doses; something viewers these days aren’t really used to. When it comes to quintessential ghost movies, though,The Changelingis definitely in the top 10 of all time, and with spooky season right around the corner, you’d do well to check it out.
The Entity (1982)
Released in 1982,The Entitystars Barbara Hershey as a woman who’s repeatedly assaulted by an unseen force, and turns to a psychologist for help. Of course, no one will believe her, but when a team of parapsychologists is called in to assist, they discover the horrific truth behind these troubling events.
The Entityis not for the faint of heart, as it deals in themes of sexual abuse, and past trauma. Though it’s dated in many ways, that doesn’t stop the film from hitting just as hard today as it did back in the early ’80s. Reportedlybased on a true story, it’s a disturbing look at how women are treated by men in positions of power, and while it doesn’t have a happily ever after ending, the closing moments will satisfy viewers enough to make them feel like they didn’t waste their time.
The Innkeepers (2011)
Directed by Ti West, who would later go on to direct the critically acclaimed horror filmsX, andPearl,The Innkeepersis a film that zigs when it should zag, but it’s done so effortlessly that viewers won’t even notice when this movie goes from 0 to 100, trading laughs for big scares.
The film follows two employees of the Yankee Peddler Inn during its last weekend of operation. Hoping to document some of the building’s supernatural activity, they employ their love of ghost hunting in order to draw out the spirits, and what they find makes them wish they would have just left well enough alone. Though it only grossed $1.2 million during its limited theatrical release,The Innkeepersproved that Ti West is a force to be reckoned with within the genre. As the follow-up to his 2009 cult hit,House of the Devil, this film is a tremendous addition to anyone’s top 10 list.
The Frighteners (1996)
Premiering on July 19th, 1996,The Frightenersis an often overlooked ghost film that’s as funny as it is scary. Directed by Peter Jackson ofThe Lord of the Ringsfame, the movie stars Michael J. Fox as a shyster who uses his ability to communicate with the dead to swindle money from unsuspecting victims. When the ghost of a serial killer starts offing the living, Fox begins to investigate the mysterious deaths, leading to an epic confrontation at the end.
Barely breaking even at the box office, the film faced heavy competition fromIndependence Day, which was released just two weeks prior, and the Atlanta Summer Olympics, which began the same dayThe Frightenerswas released. Over time, it’s developed a cult-following, but whether it’s because of the addition of comedy to the film, not enough people place this one in high regard. It’s a shame, asThe Frightenersis a criminally underrated movie that deserves its flowers.
Related:Michael J. Fox Watched Back to the Future After 30 Years, Here’s What He Thought
Stir of Echoes (1999)
Based on the novel by Richard Matheson,Stir of Echoesstars Kevin Bacon in what is one of thebest performances of his career, as he plays a telephone worker out to solve the mystery behind a young girl who went missing.
Released at a time when supernatural films were all the rage,Stir of Echoeswent largely overlooked in favor of movies such asThe Sixth Sense,The Blair Witch Project, andThe Mummy. Grossing just $21 million dollars at the box office, the film had a hard time finding its audience, but has since found a small following of fans who recognize it for its brilliant use of camerawork, and atmosphere that will send a shiver down anyone’s spine.
Ghost Story (1981)
Perhaps one of the most overlooked films in the genre isGhost Story, the 1981 offering from director John Irvin that starred such heavyweights as Fred Astaire, John Houseman, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Melvyn Douglas. The movie tells the story of the Chowder Society, a group of old men who gather once a week to tell ghost stories that center around their involvement in a woman’s death years prior.
Based on the novel by the late Peter Straub,Ghost Storywas the third highest-grossing horror film of the year, but unfortunately, it hasn’t held up over time because of its slow-burn storytelling, which audiences these days tend to dislike. It’s chocked full of atmospheric thrills and chills, and while there are no big jump scares to be had, it’s an excellent piece of cinema that proves you don’t need a lot of gore to make a good horror movie.
The Orphanage (2007)
Released in 2007, the Spanish filmThe Orphanageis one of those movies you have to see to believe how good it is. Forget the critics, Rotten Tomatoes scores, or what your friends tell you, this is one you have to see for yourself, as it tells the story of a woman who re-opens the old orphanage she came from, only to have her adopted son go missing shortly thereafter.
It’s a simple ghost story that’s wrapped in tragedy and heartbreak, but one that’s told so delightfully creepy, and doesn’t rush the suspense. The performances are top-notch, the cinematography is breathtaking, and it trades cheap jump scares for lasting scares that will send you to the edge of your seat. Not to mention, it has a ghost child wearing a spooky sack mask. What’s not to love about that?
What Lies Beneath (2000)
Harrison Ford in a horror movie with Michelle Pfeiffer? It’s an unlikely pairing, but forWhat Lies Beneath, it works, and works well, as the two star in what is undoubtedly one of the most overlooked ghost stories in cinema history.
The pair portray a married couple that’s had their ups and downs as of late, but when their daughter leaves for college, it puts even more strain on their fractured relationship. When Pfeiffer’s character, Claire, begins to unravel the mystery behind Ford’s infidelity a year prior, ghosts of the past come back to haunt them. Is Claire really seeing what she’s seeing, though, or is she just losing her mind? It’s a tremendous film that deals in themes of betrayal, love, and trust, and if you’re looking for a movie that will make your hair stand on end,What Lies Beneathis the one for you.
Related:Harrison Ford’s 11 Highest-Grossing Movies of All-Time, Ranked
Session 9 (2001)
Perhaps no other film in the genre is as overlooked asSession 9, directed by Brad Anderson. The people who have seen it will recommend it to death, but if you’re a casual viewer, then chances are it’s one you’ve missed.
Telling the story of a cleanup crew that’s sent in to work on an abandoned mental asylum, this film ramps up the tension the longer it goes, and when one of the workers discovers a box of old audio tapes detailing a patient’s struggle with dissociative identity disorder,Session 9turns into something that will stay with you long after you’ve finished watching it. It’s apsychologically disturbing filmthat’s light on gore, but big on intellectual scares that make it a must-watch for fans of horror.
