Live on the fright side this Halloween with these Colorado horror movies.
Halloween is upon us—and much like everything else this year, COVID has thrown a slight wrench into the festivities. In-person parties and costume contests may be canceled, but that doesn't mean you can't get your creep on. There's plenty of spooky fun things you can get into this year, and watching scary movies is at the top of the list. Naturally, we had to share our favorite horror movies with Colorado ties—both the downright terrifying ones and the ones that are just terrifyingly bad. So pop some popcorn, whip up a witches brew cocktail, and prepare to be scared.
The Shining (1980)
Rated R
Of course, The Shining has to be at the top of our list. The cult classic is probably the most well-known horror movie with a Colorado setting. Steven King actually drew inspiration for the story from the famously haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park—though the movie was filmed almost entirely in England. Even if you've already seen it a dozen times, it's always worth rewatching.
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Rated R
Did you know there's a sequel to The Shining? It came out just last year and, while not quite as popular as its predecessor, delivers the same terrifying chills. In this film, little Danny is all grown up, dealing with some (understandable) issues, and has to use his psychic abilities to save a young girl who also has "the shining." If you plan on watching the original film, why not make it a marathon?
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
Rated R
This list wouldn't be complete without a good ol' slasher film in the mix. I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer is the third installment in its series, although the cast is completely new in this movie. It takes place in the fictional Broken Ridge, Colorado, where a group of teens plays a prank that goes terribly wrong, and they vow to keep it a secret. Of course, someone knows what they did ...
Day of the Dead (2008)
Rated R
Who doesn't love a zombie movie? Day of the Dead was released in 2008 as a remake of George A. Romero's 1985 film—the third installment of his famous Night of the Living Dead series. The 2008 remake takes place in Leadville, Colorado, where the outbreak of a mysterious virus starts turning folks into, you guessed it, super violent zombies.
The Boy (2015)
Not Rated
This movie is really, really dark, and follows Ted, a young boy who begins acting out violently after his mother abandons him and his despondent father is consumed by alcoholism. Already showing the signs of a budding sociopath, Ted's interest in death continues to grow after befriending a mysterious drifter who checks into their rural Colorado hotel.
Phantoms (1998)
Rated R
Set in the fictional town of Snowfield, Colorado, Phantoms has a few big names on the cast list‚including Ben Affleck, Peter O'Toole, and Rose McGowan—but it received a lackluster reception. It may be a flop, but the 1998 Dean Koontz flick is one of those movies you love to hate. Filled to the brim with supernatural horror movie tropes, it's perfect for a laid-back Halloween night.
Bonus Movie: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Rated R
This one's considered a bonus because it's not technically a horror movie. Even so, this true-crime drama is disturbing enough, as the title indicates, to make the list. It's of course a look into the life and trials of Ted Bundy, one of the most (if not the most) notorious serial killers in American history. It's also a piece of Colorado history, as Bundy committed several murders here and escaped from Colorado jails twice before moving onto Florida where he was eventually caught again.
There were several honorable mentions that didn't make our list, mostly because they've been on a lot of others. Cannibal! The Musical, Strangeland, and The Hateful Eight are some other fantastic horror flicks with Colorado ties that you should definitely check out.
In fact, there are countless other Colorado films you may or may not have heard of. IMDb's list of movies filmed in Colorado is over 4,000 titles long and features huge blockbusters such as Independence Day and Dumb and Dumber. We even made a film location road trip through the state, if you're looking to hit the road sometime soon.
What do you think about our list of Colorado horror movies? Do you have a go-to scary flick for this time of year? Let us know in the comments!
