List

Chicagoland Horror

By Emily Compton-Dzak

Halloween is coming up, and these movies should give locals an extra shiver as they were all filmed in Chicagoland, bringing monsters and nightmares to our own backyards!

  • Candyman

    1992 by Bernard Rose

    Candyman, the story of an urban legend come to life, is famous not only for its creepy story and gore, but also for its location at the Cabrini-Green housing complex in Chicago. I personally remember seeing this when I was way too young, and I'm not sure I'll ever have the courage to sit through it again.

    Get this item

  • Child's Play

    2008 by Tom Holland

    You all remember Chucky, the serial-killer-possessed Good Guy doll, right? Did you know he came alive in none other than the landmark Brewster Apartments building at Diversey and Pine Grove in Chicago? Check out this 1988 classic and you can play spot-the-landmark while you watch.

    Get this item

  • Flatliners

    1990 by Joel Schumacher

    Flatliners chronicles the journey of a group of cocky medical students who are determined to find out what comes after death, then return to tell the tale. You can see said medical students, including the fabulously-haired Kevin Bacon and Keifer Sutherland, gallivanting around the University of Chicago campus.

    Get this item

  • Batman Begins

    2005 by Christopher Nolan

    Okay, this isn't technically a horror movie, but it does transform Chicago into Gotham City and the villain is the Scarecrow. The Scarecrow! He is pretty scary, too, so it totally counts.

    Get this item

  • The Amityville Horror

    2005 by Andrew Douglas

    In my opinion, most people watch the remake of The Amityville Horror solely to see Ryan Reynolds without a shirt, but you can also have fun trying to spot the Chicago suburbs in this classic Long Island tale.

    Get this item

  • A Nightmare on Elm Street

    2010 by Samuel Bayer

    Yes, another remake. I apologize, but they really got around while filming this one. There are scenes in Chicago, Elgin, Barrington, Elk Grove Village, Lake Forest, Orland Park, Arlington Heights, and Cicero. Can you spot them?

    Get this item

  • Contagion

    2011 by Steven Soderbergh

    Another film that isn't technically horror, but this thriller about a deadly and quick-moving disease is definitely terrifying. The fact that some scenes were filmed across the street from my childhood home does have something to do with it making the list, I must admit.

    Get this item

  • Damien : Omen II

    1978 by William Holden

    As with many sequels, Omen II suffers from the sophomore slump. But downtown Chicago features prominently in the next chapter of everybody's favorite junior Antichrist's life as he goes to stay with his uncle! Look for Graceland Cemetery, Willis (Sears) Tower, and City Hall, which masquerades as Thorn Industries.

    Get this item