Top 10 Horror Movies Based on Urban Legends

Bloody Mary, who? The only person we’re scared of summoning in a mirror is Candyman. But, oddly enough, that wasn’t actually a part of the original legend. Candyman’s first appearance dates all the way back to 1985, where he starred in a spine-tingling short story by horror legend Clive Barker. The film adaptation retained his hook-hand and love of bees, but added a few other folktales to the mix, too. Now, Candyman is the victim of a hate crime, and once summoned through a mirror, must kill to keep his vengeful legacy alive. Since his movie spawned multiple sequels across decades, we’d say he succeeded.

Part moth, part man, and part horror legend, the so-called “Mothman” is more than mere folkmere. No, at this point, he’s practically a piece of history itself. The first reported sighting happened in West Virginia in 1966, and he’s been giving locals nightmares ever since. We’re talking about scores of sightings, a mysterious bridge collapse, and even an investigative book. Then, in 2002, the legend was immortalized in film with “The Mothman Prophecies.” The flick interpreted the legend with a more supernatural edge, but otherwise faithfully adapted all that we know about Mothman. Which, admittedly, isn’t very much. That doesn’t make it any less terrifying, though.

In 2009, an innocuous photoshop contest led to the creation of one of the most notorious creepypastas of its generation. Its name was Slender Man. The photos sparked a bonafide online phenomenon, complete with all sorts of lore discussion and fan participation. Some might say, too much. A few real-world tragedies turned Slender Man from a creepy fable into a genuine cautionary tale. But, that bad press didn’t stop the making of 2018 feature film. No, they brought the character to life, for better or for worse. On release, the movie was rightfully called out for endorsing a kind of horror that had become all-too-real. And the toxic reviews couldn’t have helped.

The tales of Bigfoot have entertained campfire gatherings for decades. Is he real? Is it all a hoax? The discussion created enough fanfare to make “Willow Creek,” one of the most effective found-footage horror films of the 2010s. And there were a lot of them. Taking its name from one of the self-proclaimed “Bigfoot Capitals of the World,” the movie follows a couple trying to get a glimpse of the famed beast. Outside of a few sprinkles of lore, the narrative remains a refreshingly straightforward thrill ride from start to end. Suffice it to say, whether you’re a Bigfoot believer or not, this will keep you off camping for a while.

If you want to learn about urban legends, this is the movie for you. The vanishing hitchhiker? The haunted highway? The not-so-friendly stranger? Take your pick, “The Hitcher” is an amalgamation of them all. While the nexus of the idea came from a ‘70s rock song, the theatrical release wears plenty of other influences on its sleeve. Particularly the idea that no good deed goes unpunished. From the moment the unsuspecting Jim lets Ryder into his car, anyone who’s ever heard a scary story will know how this movie is going to end. Spoiler alert: it’s with a lot of blood, bodies, and mayhem. No wonder hitchhikers get such a bad rap.

At its core, this classic horror film is about love, betrayal, and vengeance. Coincidentally, those same ideas show up in Yotsuya Kaidan, one of the most influential Japanese ghost stories ever told. The tale has reportedly inspired over thirty different films, including, you guessed it, “Ju-On: The Grudge.” The feature is far from a straight remake, though. Instead, it takes the general message of the legend and presents it through a modern lens. Combine that with a brilliant, nonlinear structure, and “The Grudge” easily stands on its own two feet. And yet, there’s still no denying that Yotsuya Kaidan scared audiences so that “The Grudge” could terrify them.

Inspiration can come from the strangest of places. Just ask Wes Craven. The seminal horror director was developing a twisted version of “Hansel and Gretel” when he discovered the story of Sawney Bean, a rumored cult leader from 16th century Scotland. Bean and his cannibalistic clan were persecuted in exceedingly bloody fashion, and Craven found their fate too ironic to pass up. So, he sprinkled in some bread crumbs from “Hansel and Gretel,” and voila, “The Hills Have Eyes” was born. The folklore mashup has all the gory goodness of Craven’s past work, with just enough sophistication to bring in new fans, too. Nowadays, you could say this one puts the “cult” in “cult classic.”

With a name like that, you can probably guess how this slasher film gets its body count. Sometimes there’s a killer in the backseat, sometimes a date ends with a hanging, and sometimes the maniac slashes ankles from under a car. No matter what, you can bet that “Urban Legend” brings it to life with utter, bloody abandon. Let’s just say that this killer doesn’t shirk on quantity, that’s for sure. In fact, the bodies pile up so fast, it’s probably quicker to name all the tall tales they don’t borrow from. Funnily enough, though, the film’s so-so reception in theaters ensured that “Urban Legend” became one itself.

Michael Myers uses a knife. Jason Voorhees uses a machete. This guy, though? He uses a hook. But, you probably don’t need to hear that from us. The hook-handed killer is one of the most prolific urban legends ever told, and that’s what made it perfect for “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” While the overall mystery was inspired by Lois Duncan’s novel of the same name, the slasher elements came directly from accounts of “The Hook.” Or, so it seems. Instead of resting on its laurels, the film toys with audience expectations to deliver some jaw-dropping plot twists. As it turns out, a curve-handed killer makes for a pretty memorable slasher film.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Teeth” (2007)
This Movie Fully Commits to the Idea of a Girl With Chompers in an Unexpected Place

“Boogeyman” (2005)
Childhood Nightmares, Much?

“Alligator” (1980)
Here, an Alligator Does Actually Live in the Sewer, & He Isn’t Too Happy About It

“Trick ‘r Treat” (2007)
A Feature-Length Reminder to Always, Always Check Your Candy Before Eating It

“Christine” (1983)
This Is Pretty Much the Quintessential Haunted Car Story Ever Told

Ah, the babysitter and the killer upstairs. It’s a tale as old as time, and for good reason. The story is simple, spooky, and features one hell of a twist ending. The original “When a Stranger Calls” stretched the ingenious premise into a nailbiter of an opening sequence. Especially for those who don’t know how it ends. But, this isn’t the only horror movie that’s done the story justice. As a matter of fact, you can thank this folktale for a whole subgenre of legendary slashers. “Black Christmas,” anyone? Clearly, it’s always a good idea to get on a call with this killer. At least, assuming he isn’t already in the house.

Which urban legend do you want to see turned into a movie? Let us know in the comments below!