The 1970s produced some of the most iconic horror films in cinema history. Yet, beyond the screen, a disturbing trend emerged: many of these films carried with them eerie coincidences, strange accidents, and real-life tragedies. These tales have led fans and researchers alike to label them cursed horror movies. From accidents that defied explanation to mysterious deaths on movie set locations, the 70s truly became a decade where fiction and reality blurred.
In this article, we will dive into 30 cursed movies of the 70s, uncovering the accidents, deaths, and unsettling coincidences that gave them their infamous reputations. Along the way, we will also see how these films shaped the darker side of Hollywood thrillers.
Tragedies Behind the Most Haunted Hollywood Thrillers
1. The Exorcist (1973)
When people think of cursed horror movies, The Exorcist is often the first that comes to mind. Fires broke out on set, forcing a rebuild of parts of the set thought to be “haunted.” Two actors, Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros, died before the film even released, echoing the deaths of their characters. Ellen Burstyn also sustained a serious spinal injury during filming, an accident that left her with chronic pain.
2. The Omen (1976)
Another title that cemented the idea of curses in Hollywood thrillers, The Omen was surrounded by death and disaster. A plane crash intended for the production killed everyone onboard. Gregory Peck’s son died by suicide before filming. Even more chilling, crew members experienced freak lightning strikes while traveling for production, adding to its cursed reputation.
3. Rosemary’s Baby (1968, curse extending into the 70s)
Though released in the late 60s, the shadow of this film haunted Hollywood well into the 70s. Director Roman Polanski’s wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered by the Manson Family in 1969, an event many fans associate with the film’s dark energy. Producer William Castle suffered kidney failure after receiving a death threat tied to the movie.
4. The Amityville Horror (1979)
This haunted house thriller was inspired by true events, and the production itself seemed cursed. James Brolin admitted to waking up at exactly 3:15 a.m. — the same time the real murders occurred — throughout filming. Crew members also reported objects moving and a constant sense of dread.
5. Poltergeist (roots in late 70s production)
Though released in the early 80s, the infamous “Poltergeist curse” began in its late-70s pre-production. Heather O’Rourke and Dominique Dunne, two stars of the franchise, both died tragically young. Rumors swirled that real skeletons were used during filming, giving rise to the unsettling lore around this project.
6. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Filming under extreme heat with real animal carcasses on set led to mental and physical breakdowns. Actor Gunnar Hansen injured himself multiple times wielding a real chainsaw. Cast and crew later admitted the shoot felt haunted, as if the land itself rejected their presence.
7. Suspiria (1977)
Dario Argento’s psychedelic cursed horror classic was plagued by constant equipment malfunctions. Several crew members reported bizarre nightmares during filming, and occult enthusiasts claimed Argento had accidentally invoked “dark energy” through the film’s witchcraft themes.
8. Eraserhead (1977)
David Lynch’s surreal debut took years to complete. Cast and crew spoke of eerie coincidences, including illnesses and personal tragedies during the prolonged shoot. Lead actor Jack Nance later died under violent and mysterious circumstances, fueling its cursed legend.
9. The Wicker Man (1973)
This British folk-horror film faced severe financial ruin after its completion. Original negatives mysteriously disappeared for decades. Shortly after the film’s release, several cast and crew members experienced career setbacks and personal tragedies, deepening its reputation as a cursed horror movie.
10. Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
Klaus Kinski’s volatile personality made the set unsafe. Crew reported being terrified of him, and his violent outbursts created trauma. Some believed the production attracted a dark energy that lingered long after the cameras stopped rolling.
The Dark Legacy of Cursed Horror Cinema
11. Carrie (1976)
Brian De Palma’s Stephen King adaptation suffered numerous accidents. Sissy Spacek insisted on being buried alive for a key scene, leading to crew fears of tragedy. During filming, fires broke out on location, adding to its unsettling legacy.
12. Phantasm (1979)
This cult film had constant equipment failures and strange electrical malfunctions. Actors admitted that the chilling themes bled into their personal lives, leading to paranoia and a sense of being followed.
13. House of Exorcism (1975)
A chaotic re-edit of Mario Bava’s Lisa and the Devil, this film was plagued by accidents, from collapsing sets to unexplained illnesses among crew. The troubled shoot contributed to its cursed reputation.
14. Tourist Trap (1979)
Known for its terrifying mannequins, this film suffered repeated malfunctions with animatronics. Crew claimed the lifelike mannequins seemed to move on their own, creating panic during late-night shoots.
15. Deep Red (1975)
During filming, actors sustained strange injuries, including glass cuts and falls. Argento himself broke bones in an accident. Fans later claimed the film predicted tragic deaths of several Italian horror actors in years that followed.
16. Don’t Look Now (1973)
This psychological thriller carried eerie coincidences. Shortly after release, Donald Sutherland experienced career turmoil, and rumors circulated that real psychic predictions had been tied to the set.
17. The Sentinel (1977)
Supernatural glitches plagued the shoot. Crew reported corrupted audio tapes, and unexplained shadows appeared in filmed footage. Actors described intense paranoia during production.
18. Black Christmas (1974)
Cast members described recurring nightmares tied to the movie’s disturbing themes. Director Bob Clark later died tragically in a car crash, adding to its cursed reputation in hindsight.
19. Eaten Alive (1976)
Tobe Hooper’s follow-up to Texas Chain Saw Massacre was marred by accidents with real animals and dangerous stunts. Crew members sustained serious injuries, and Hooper himself faced a breakdown.
20. Martin (1976)
George Romero’s vampire tale carried a disturbing atmosphere that reportedly haunted its cast. John Amplas, the lead, later spoke about vivid dreams and paranoia after wrapping the shoot.
The Legacy of Cursed thrillers of the 70s in Pop Culture
21. The Manitou (1978)
Tony Curtis starred in this bizarre occult film, and crew reported sudden illnesses during shooting. Technical failures plagued the project, and it quickly developed a reputation as cursed.
22. It’s Alive (1974)
This mutant-baby horror suffered from electrical failures and accidents during filming. Some connected the eerie energy of the story with the strange coincidences that followed the crew.
23. Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
One of Hollywood’s most chaotic shoots, plagued by constant accidents. Sets collapsed, Linda Blair narrowly avoided serious injury, and crew illnesses delayed production. Many called it “doomed from the start.”
24. Alucarda (1977)
This Mexican nunsploitation horror film was rumored to have attracted real occultists to the set. Crew later claimed they felt cursed after working on it, facing financial ruin or personal tragedy.
25. Magic (1978)
Anthony Hopkins’ unsettling performance with a ventriloquist dummy reportedly disturbed cast and crew. Several claimed the dummy seemed to move on its own, heightening paranoia.
26. The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Filmed in a remote desert believed by locals to be cursed, accidents were common. Actors suffered heatstroke and injuries, while equipment repeatedly failed.
27. The Last House on the Left (1972)
Wes Craven’s brutal debut left its cast traumatized. Many later admitted to experiencing psychological damage. The raw and disturbing shoot gave it a cursed aura.
28. I Spit on Your Grave (Day of the Woman, 1978)
This controversial revenge film caused deep psychological distress to its lead actress, Camille Keaton. Crew members also admitted that lingering trauma haunted them after the production ended.
29. Rabid (1977)
Cronenberg’s exploration of infection horror coincided with crew illnesses during filming. Cast members later described paranoia and fear that the film had “summoned” disease into their lives.
30. The Brood (1979)
Cronenberg’s divorce-inspired film carried a heavy emotional curse. Actors described tension and depression during filming. Soon after, several crew members experienced personal tragedies, cementing its cursed horror movies legacy.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Cursed Horror Movies in the 70s
The 1970s were a golden era for both horror and Hollywood thrillers, but they were also shadowed by tales of curses, tragedies, and unexplained events. From fires and accidents to mysterious deaths on movie set productions, these films have become legends not only for their impact on audiences but also for the darkness that seemed to follow those who made them.
Even decades later, fans still whisper about the cursed energy behind these classics. Whether coincidence, superstition, or something darker, one thing is certain: the legend of cursed horror movies will forever haunt the legacy of 70s cinema.
FAQs About Horror Movies of the 70s
1. Are cursed horror films real?
While there is no scientific evidence proving films can be cursed, many productions from the 70s experienced eerie coincidences, accidents, and tragedies. These unexplained events fuel the myth of cursed horror flicks, leaving fans to wonder if dark themes attract real darkness.
2. Which cursed 70s movie is considered the most infamous?
The Exorcist (1973) holds the top spot as the most infamous cursed movie. From mysterious fires to actor injuries and deaths linked to the film, it remains the gold standard for cursed horror legends.
3. Did The Omen really have a curse?
Yes, many believe The Omen (1976) was cursed. Gregory Peck’s son died tragically before filming, crew members experienced freak lightning strikes, and a plane crash connected to the production killed passengers. These events cemented its reputation as one of the most cursed Hollywood thrillers ever made.
4. What are mysterious deaths on movie set productions?
The phrase refers to strange or unexplained fatalities that occur during or after filming. Several 70s horror films, like The Exorcist and Poltergeist (developed in the late 70s), became linked to mysterious deaths on movie set crews or cast members, intensifying their cursed reputations.
5. Why are so many 70s films considered cursed?
The 70s marked a new era of darker, more experimental cinema. Many productions pushed boundaries, filmed in unsafe conditions, or explored occult and supernatural themes. When real tragedies coincided with these films, it created the perfect storm for cursed horror movie legends to spread.
6. Are Hollywood thrillers also considered cursed?
Yes, some Hollywood thrillers beyond the horror genre have been labeled cursed. However, horror films of the 70s remain the most notorious because their terrifying themes seemed to mirror the tragedies happening behind the scenes.