35 Horror Movie Locations That Will Still Scare You Today

All across the country, you’ll find film locations that may still scare you years after the release of some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Sports bars, barbecue joints, comic book stores and theme parks all played roles in some seriously scary movies, even scary movie spoofs. When you’re ready for a truly horror-fying road trip, here’s where to go.

Hocus Pocus may have more comedic elements than the average supernatural film, but this movie franchise (as of mid-2023, a third film in the series was said to be in development) has its share of scares, murders, curses and spells. Of course, the movie is about a trio of witches. The movie takes place in Salem, Massachusetts. While much of the flick is shot on a soundstage in Burbank, California, there are scenes that were filmed in Salem and Marblehead, Massachusetts. One location, in particular, is Ropes Mansion, a Colonial Revival home that was featured in the trick-or-treating scene.

The Lost Boys is a 1987 supernatural thriller that starred a host of young notables, including Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman and Jami Gertz. The movie is set in the fictitious beach town of Santa Carla, California (actually, Santa Cruz). The vampire-theme film was shot at such popular spots as the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Pogonip Open Space. One of the movie’s early scenes features Atlantis Fantasyworld, a comics store in Santa Cruz. The original shop was lost to an earthquake in 1989, but the re-built shop features plenty of movie merch, including mugs, posters and magnets.

There were a dozen movies in the Friday the 13th franchise, which features hockey mask-clad Jason, one of the most notorious horror movie slashers. The first film is set at Camp Crystal Lake, a fictional summer camp in New Jersey. At the start of the movie, camp counselor Annie stops in Crystal Lake Diner to ask for directions. The diner still stands today, but its real name is Blairstown Diner, and it’s located in Blairstown, New Jersey. Movie fans continue to flock to this small-town diner that’s open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.