10 Movies Based on Urban Legends That Will Make You Question Reality
Urban legends have long captivated our imaginations, weaving tales of suspense that leave us questioning the thin veil between fact and fiction. Many of these legends have been fertile ground for filmmakers, inspiring some of the most spine-chilling and memorable movies. From supernatural beings lurking in the shadows to cursed objects that bring about doom, here are ten films that have successfully brought urban legends to life on the big screen.
1. The Fourth Kind (2009)
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.
A psychologist investigates the disappearance of several people in Nome, Alaska, while using hypnosis to uncover repressed memories. As she pieces together the cases, she discovers a pattern of alien abductions and encounters with extraterrestrial beings, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural.
This faux docudrama presents “real footage” that supposedly documents contact of the fourth kind — alien abduction. Aliens have long been a source of immense intrigue among humans, who have been fascinated by countless urban legends documenting UFO sightings, drawings of what alien beings look like, unexplainable radio communications, supposed secret dissections of aliens, and alleged abductions.
In the movie, Dr. Tyler explains what the different “kinds” are according to urban legend: the first kind is the sighting of a UFO, the second kind is physical evidence of an encounter (such as markings), the third kind is contact, and the fourth kind is abduction.
2. The Witch (2015)
Image Credit: Elevation Pictures.
Set in New England during the 17th century, a devoutly religious family faces sinister forces in the wilderness surrounding their isolated farm. As their crops fail and their livestock dies, they become increasingly convinced that an evil witch is at work, leading to a terrifying descent into paranoia and supernatural horror.
The Witch draws inspiration from the folklore surrounding witches, especially during this time period. With Eggers’ eye for detail, he captured the language of the time period with incredible accuracy through extensive research.
Actual accounts from the Salem Witch Trials heavily inspired the storyline. The film effectively utilizes the fear and suspicion associated with witchcraft, bringing to life the chilling urban legend of a witch tormenting a devout family as they face supernatural forces and their descent into madness.
3. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.
In the 18th century, Constable Ichabod Crane was sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of beheadings. As he immerses himself into the legend of the Headless Horseman, a ghostly figure who seeks vengeance, Crane must navigate a web of deceit and uncover the truth behind the murders. Sleepy Hollow takes inspiration from Washington Irving’s classic short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
The urban legend that serves as the basis for the story revolves around the Headless Horseman, a ghostly figure said to haunt the village of Sleepy Hollow. According to the legend, the Headless Horseman was a Hessian soldier who lost his head in battle and now roams the area, seeking a replacement.
In the film, director Tim Burton brings this legend to life through the character of the Headless Horseman, who terrorizes the town and becomes the focus of an investigation by the protagonist, Ichabod Crane.
4. Candyman (1992)
Image Credit: TriStar Pictures.
The legend of Candyman haunts the residents of Cabrini-Green, a housing project in Chicago. When a graduate student starts researching the urban myth for her thesis, she unwittingly summons the vengeful spirit of Candyman, a hook-handed killer who can be summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror.
Candyman was based on a short story called The Forbidden by Clive Barker. While it is not directly based on a specific real-life urban legend, it incorporates elements from various urban legends and folklore to create its mythology.
The film centers around the character of Candyman, a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand who is summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror, a legend that is eerily similar to that of Bloody Mary.
5. Krampus (2015)
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.
Krampus is a folklore figure that originated in Alpine countries. According to legend, it is a horned creature with a demonic appearance who punishes naughty children during Christmas. He is rumored to capture misbehaving children in his sack and take them away, warning children to behave throughout the year.
In this horror-comedy inspired by the urban legend, a dysfunctional family gathers for Christmas and inadvertently summons the wrath of Krampus, a mythical creature who punishes those who have lost their holiday spirit. As the family is trapped in their home, they must fight to survive the nightmarish onslaught from Krampus and his demonic minions.
6. Underworld (2003)
Image Credit: Screen Gems.
A deadly war rages between the two species in a world where vampires and werewolves exist. The film follows Selene, a vampire Death Dealer, as she uncovers a plot involving a human central to the ancient feud, leading her into a world of intrigue, betrayal, and epic battles.
Underworld explores the age-old urban legends of these mythical creatures. It takes inspiration from various mythologies, folklore, and vampire and werewolf legends.
7. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Image Credit: United Artists.
Siblings Trish and Darry encounter a terrifying creature called “The Creeper” while driving home for spring break. Pursued relentlessly by this supernatural being, they must uncover the truth behind its origins and find a way to survive its gruesome feeding frenzy. The film draws inspiration from the urban legend “The Creeper” or “The Song of the Creeper.”
According to the legend, an ominous figure called the Creeper hunts down and consumes human beings, particularly those isolated or alone. The movie incorporates elements of the legend, such as the creature’s insatiable appetite and ability to regenerate and rejuvenate its body. However, the film takes artistic liberties and adds its own mythology and backstory to the urban legend.
8. The Babadook (2014)
Image Credit: Umbrella Entertainment.
A sinister children’s book character torments a single mother, and her young son called “The Babadook.” As their lives are consumed by the creature’s presence and escalating terror, the mother must confront her inner demons to protect her child from the nightmarish entity.
While this film is not directly based on any specific urban legend and is really a metaphor for mental illness, it does share striking similarities to other urban legends like “The Boogeyman,” “The Hat Man,” and “Slender Man,” which are shadowy figures that lurk around their prey, stalk, and traumatize their victims.
9. The Ring (2002)
Image Credit: DreamWorks Pictures.
After watching a cursed videotape, anyone who views it is fated to die in seven days. Investigative journalist Rachel Keller embarks on a race against time to uncover the truth behind the tape and the evil spirit that seeks to claim the lives of those who have watched it. This movie is based on a Japanese horror film called Ringu, based on Koji Suzuki’s novel.
The story draws inspiration from a modern urban legend known as “Sadako’s Curse” or “The Ring Virus.” According to the legend, a cursed videotape exists, and anyone who watches it receives a phone call immediately afterward, with a voice saying they have seven days left to live.
The cursed viewer will then experience a series of eerie and supernatural occurrences before meeting a tragic end at the hands of a vengeful spirit named Sadako.
10. The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Image Credit: Lakeshore Entertainment.
The Mothman Prophecies is based on actual events and the urban legend of the Mothman, a mysterious creature believed to have been sighted in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, during the 60s. It is described as having large wings and glowing red eyes whose sightings were accompanied by feelings of intense fear and impending doom.
A journalist investigates a series of strange occurrences in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. As he gets pulled in, he becomes obsessed with the mysterious sightings of a winged creature and the prophetic warnings it delivers, leading him down a path of uncertainty and fear.
10 Terrifying UFO Sightings From Around the World That Still Haunt Witnesses
Image Credit: fergregory/Depositphotos.com.
The fascination around UFO sightings is universal, but more terror replaces admiration of the unknown for many firsthand witnesses. While some of these sightings can be explained as man-made objects such as secret military weaponry, some UFOs pose mysteries that are hard to demystify. These UFO sightings from around the world continue to haunt witnesses today.
10 Terrifying UFO Sightings From Around the World That Still Haunt Witnesses
12 Best Movies About Alien Encounters and Invasions
Image Credit: Open Road Films.
Stories of conquest, friendship, protection, and evolutionary indifference to humanity exist in these films about aliens on Earth. That breadth of tones and themes makes it difficult to pick the best of this sci-fi subgenre. But with some digging (and personal consideration), I’ve done my best to create a definitive list of the ten best movies about aliens visiting Earth ever made.
12 Best Movies About Alien Encounters and Invasions
From Whispers to the Web: 12 Urban Legends That Refuse To Fade
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
We all love an urban myth; I do, anyway. Let’s be honest, though. Urban myths are for gullible kids — they are usually untrue. Nevertheless, they make great weapons for controlling your children’s behavior.
Someone is asking citizens of the world wide web to share their favorite urban legends from childhood. Refreshingly, the world is taking notice and sharing some myths from their home nations.
From Whispers to the Web: 12 Urban Legends That Refuse To Fade
If Aliens Invaded Earth: 12 Cinematic Aliens People Pray They’d Never Be
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.
If aliens ever decided to invade Earth, it’s safe to say that people would be more than a little concerned. Hollywood has long been fascinated with the idea of extraterrestrial life and has created many alien creatures ranging from the friendly to the downright scary. According to a film forum, these are the 10 most feared cinematic alien species.
If Aliens Invaded Earth: 12 Cinematic Aliens People Pray They’d Never Be
12 Greatest Alien Movies That Are About More Than Little Green Men
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Hollywood productions about aliens from outer space aren’t strictly limited to stories of little green men traveling to Earth in spaceships. Many cover other themes, such as interplanetary communication and the nature of life on other planets. When an online community dedicated to the subject of extraterrestrials was asked to name the best films about aliens, the responses were out of this world.
12 Greatest Alien Movies That Are About More Than Little Green Men
Where indicated, some images courtesy of Depositphotos.com.
Source: Reddit.
