Written By: Sam Santiago
When the cameras rolled, something else rolled in too...
Film sets are chaotic ecosystems, full of moving parts, volatile effects, and stunts that flirt with danger. Injuries have been part of filmmaking since the medium was born. What follows, however, goes far beyond routine accidents or bad luck. These productions seemed to attract something darker, a chain of disasters, deaths, and unexplained events that many believe crossed into the paranormal. We are talking about cursed films. And a warning before you continue: many of the movies listed below are tied to far more disturbing incidents than the ones we have space to cover here.
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"THE OMEN" (1976)
Directed by Richard Donner
A film centered on the rise of the Antichrist seemed destined for trouble, and "The Omen" delivered it in disturbing fashion. Gregory Peck starred as diplomat Robert Thorn, the unsuspecting father of Damien, the devil incarnate. During production, Peck’s plane was struck by lightning, as was a separate aircraft carrying writer David Seltzer. Another plane chartered for the film crashed on takeoff, killing everyone on board, though none were part of the cast. Animal trainer incidents were also reported when the film’s trained Rottweilers suddenly turned aggressive, attacking handlers during rehearsals. While no principal cast members died during filming, the sheer number of narrowly avoided disasters cemented the film’s reputation as unnervingly unlucky.
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THE EXORCIST (1973)
Directed by William Friedkin
Often cited as the most cursed horror production in history, "The Exorcist" followed actress Linda Blair as possessed child Regan MacNeil. A mysterious fire destroyed the MacNeil house set entirely, except for Regan’s bedroom where the possession scenes were filmed. Ellen Burstyn suffered a permanent spinal injury during a violent stunt, and Blair was injured by malfunctioning effects equipment. Nine people connected to the production died during filming or shortly after, including actor Jack MacGowran, who portrayed Burke Dennings and died of influenza in January 1973 before the film’s release. Director William Friedkin dismissed the events as coincidence, but many cast and crew believed something darker lingered on set.
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"POLTERGEIST" (1982)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
The so-called "Poltergeist" curse remains one of horror’s most infamous legends. Heather O’Rourke, who played Carol Anne Freeling, died in February 1988 at age twelve from complications caused by a misdiagnosed intestinal condition. Dominique Dunne, who portrayed eldest daughter Dana, was murdered in October 1982 by her former boyfriend shortly after the film’s release. Actor Julian Beck, the eerie Reverend Kane, died of stomach cancer in September 1985. Adding fuel to the legend, real human skeletons were reportedly used during the swimming pool scene. What began as a suburban ghost story soon became a tragic chapter in horror history.
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"THE CROW" (1994)
Directed by Alex Proyas
Brandon Lee starred as Eric Draven, a murdered musician resurrected for vengeance. On March 31, 1993, Lee was fatally shot on set when a prop gun malfunctioned, sending a lodged bullet fragment into his abdomen. He was twenty-eight years old. Prior to his death, the production experienced electrical fires, damaged sets, and serious crew injuries, including a worker impaled through the hand by a screwdriver. The film was completed using body doubles and early digital effects, but Lee’s death forever bound the film to real-world tragedy.
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THE TWILIGHT ZONE THE MOVIE (1983)
Directed by John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller
The darkest moment in Hollywood safety history occurred on July 23, 1982. Actor Vic Morrow and child actors Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin Yi Chen were killed when a helicopter crashed during a night shoot involving pyrotechnics. The rotor blades decapitated Morrow and Le and crushed Chen. The incident resulted in criminal charges against director John Landis, though he was later acquitted. The tragedy permanently altered film safety regulations and cast a shadow over the entire anthology.
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"ANNABELLE" (2014)
Directed by John R Leonetti
A spin off of The Conjuring universe, "Annabelle" followed the possessed doll terrorizing a young couple played by Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton. Crew members reported flickering lights, unexplained scratches, and objects falling without cause. A demon themed lighting rig reportedly collapsed onto an actor during filming, though no fatalities occurred. Several crew members claimed the Annabelle doll appeared to move positions overnight. Whether coincidence or suggestion, the atmosphere unsettled even veteran horror professionals.
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"THE NUN II" (2023)
Directed by Michael Chaves
Filmed in abandoned churches and monasteries across Europe, "The Nun II" stars Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene, confronting the demon Valak. Crew members reported hearing whispers, footsteps, and doors slamming in empty corridors. Some claimed to see a tall black robed figure watching from a distance. While no injuries or deaths occurred, director Michael Chaves acknowledged that the locations felt oppressive and unsettling, even during daytime shoots.
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"THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" (2004)
Directed by Mel Gibson
Though not a horror film by genre, the behind the scenes events rival many. Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus Christ, was struck by lightning twice during filming, once while delivering the Sermon on the Mount. He also suffered hypothermia, pneumonia, and a dislocated shoulder during the crucifixion scenes. Assistant director Jan Michelini was also struck by lightning. No deaths occurred on set, but the repeated incidents contributed to the film’s reputation as spiritually dangerous.
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"ROSEMARY’S BABY" (1968)
Directed by Roman Polanski
Mia Farrow starred as Rosemary Woodhouse, a woman manipulated into carrying Satan’s child. Composer Krzysztof Komeda suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage after a fall in December 1968 and died in April 1969 at age thirty seven. Producer William Castle experienced severe kidney failure shortly after the film’s release. Most hauntingly, Polanski’s pregnant wife Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson Family on August 9, 1969. Though unrelated to production, the film’s themes became chillingly prophetic.
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"THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE" (2005)
Directed by Scott Derrickson
Inspired by the true story of Anneliese Michel, the film starred Jennifer Carpenter as Emily Rose. Multiple cast and crew members reported waking nightly at 3:00 AM, traditionally known as the devil’s hour. Electronic equipment repeatedly failed on set. Carpenter stated her radio alarm turned on by itself one night, playing a song with the lyric “You’re all going to die.” No deaths occurred during production, but nearly everyone involved described the experience as deeply disturbing on a spiritual level.
These are just a handful of films with histories far stranger and darker than the average set accident. From mysterious tragedies to unexplained phenomena, the world of cursed cinema is full of stories that defy logic. And who knows—future productions may add entirely new chapters to this eerie legacy. Only time will tell which films will join the ranks of the truly cursed.