This is the first in a series of articles where we’ll be covering the Top Films About Ghosts and Hauntings. This subgenre also includes Films About Haunted Houses, Films About the Paranormal, Films About The Supernatural, Films About Evil Spirits and Films About Séances. Also, because themes of the Supernatural and Paranormal can cover a broad range of Horror subgenres, we’ve tried to isolate films that specifically deal with Ghosts (and resulting Hauntings) for this list.
This first article will cover the Top Films about Ghosts and Hauntings You Haven’t Seen from the 1970’s and you can check out additional articles by decade below. We are also going to include a Best Of subgenre article as a grand finale. There are so many great Ghost films over the last 60 years that we felt it best to break down some of the subgenre’s forgotten and lesser-known gems by decade before we give you the Best Of list which will likely feature many films you’ve already heard of or have seen.
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 1970’s
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 1980’s
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2000 – 2004
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2005 – 2009
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2010 – 2014
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2015 – 2019
- Best Recent Films About Ghosts & Hauntings
- Best Films About Ghosts & Hauntings
Though we generally only cover films from 1970 – Present, we felt a need to mention a few specific Films About Ghosts & Hauntings from the 1960’s. Some of these films are classics and should be seen by every fan of the subgenre: The Innocents (1961), The Haunting (1963), The Whip and the Body (1963), Castle of Blood (1964) and Kuroneko (1968).
Most subgenre films prior to 1970’s often featured Gothic settings and can also be found in our Gothic Horror Films list. The Gothic setting carried over into the next decade as a prominent theme of 1970’s Ghost films. Though the decade wasn’t one of the best overall for the subgenre, it did expand on the Haunted House theme and featured some Haunted Aviation Thrillers. One additional theme that was prominent in this decade was the ‘ghost possessing an individual’ that would become a dominant theme of the subgenre and also spawn a separate Horror subgenre – Films About Exorcisms & Possessions.
Though Gothic Horror-themed films had run their course by the start of the 1970’s, there were still some prominent subgenre films in the decade that featured elements of Gothic Horror. The Asphyx (1972), And Now the Screaming Starts (1973) and The Legend of Hell House (1973) featured traditional Gothic settings while Burnt Offerings (1976), Full Circle (1978) and The Evictors (1979) featured elements of Neo Gothic and Southern Gothic Horror.
The Haunted House theme of the subgenre would primarily get a kickstart from two classic films of the decade – The Legend of Hell House (1973) and The Amityville Horror (1979). The Amityville Horror was the most significant subgenre film of the decade that produced numerous sequels, knockoffs and a remake over the following four decades. Other prominent Haunted House films of the 1970’s included Something Evil (1972), And Now the Screaming Starts (1973), Dark Places (1973), Burnt Offerings (1976), Full Circle (1978) and The Evil (1978). Two of the more unique subgenre films of the decade also included a Haunted Car in The Car (1977) and a Haunted Bed in Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977).
Though both films aren’t in the upper tier of the subgenre, The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973) and The Ghost of Flight 401 (1978) were Aviation Thrillers with themes of Ghosts and Hauntings. The films are primarily known for the ensemble casts of actors that were already famous 1970’s TV stars or up-and-coming actors. The Horror at 37,000 Feet had a cast of Chuck Connors, Buddy Ebsen, William Shatner and Paul Winfield. The Ghost of Flight 401 featured Ernest Borgnine, Kim Basinger, Gary Lockwood and Howard Hesseman. Actor Russel Johnson (The Professor of Gilligan’s Island) would have the dubious distinction of appearing in both films.
Finally, the hardest time we have had listing films in this subgenre is with trying to separate themes of possession from this subgenre and the Exorcism and Possessions Film subgenre. Though some films are included in both subgenres, if the themes of the film primarily feature Hauntings vs. a Possession, it will be included here. Examples of films this decade where the primary narrative featured a Haunting or ghost trying to take possession of an individual included Something Evil (1972), The Stone Tape (1972), Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) and Schock (1977).
Our complete list of Films About The Paranormal, Hauntings & Ghosts features over 526+ films from 1961 – 2023. This collection features almost every film involving a ghost, evil spirit, ghost possessing a person, haunted houses, hauntings and broader themes of the paranormal and supernatural. If you don’t see a film in our collection, it is likely in other collections such as Films About Gothic Horror, Films About Exorcisms & Possession and Films About The Devil, Demons & Hell. Also, as we’re always updating our collections and will be releasing additional articles of great Films About Ghosts & Hauntings, subscribe to our newsletter for our latest updates as we post them.
Classic Films About Ghosts & Hauntings from the 1970’s: The Legend of Hell House (1973), Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973), The Inugamis (1976) & The Amityville Horror (1979).
Films About Ghosts & Hauntings from the 1970’s that didn’t make our list: The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973), Dark Places (1973), Burnt Offerings (1976), The Comeback (1978), Empire of Passion (1978), Dominique (1979) & The Evictors (1979).
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Here is our list of the Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen from the 1970’s:
#10
Something Evil
Plot: A young couple moves into a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania. What they don’t know is that there is an unseen presence in the house, and that it wants to take possession of the wife.
KBZ’s Take: Primarily known as Steven Spielberg’s follow-up TV movie to Duel (1971). While it’s not as good as The Duel, you can see some of Spielberg’s classic directorial skills in the film. Also, the film isn’t scary by today’s standards though it does have the early 70’s creepy factor that seemed to inhabit most films from the early part of the decade.
It’s only worth checking out by completists of the subgenre and fans of Spielberg’s earlier work. Note: the film is very hard to find and doesn’t seem to be available on DVD or streaming so we’ve included a YouTube link of the film below.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/6woI5E0n2oM
Plot: A research team from an electronics company move into an old Victorian house to start work on finding a new recording medium. When team member Jill Greeley witnesses a ghost, team director Peter Brock decides not only to analyze the apparition, which he believes is a psychic impression trapped in a stone wall (dubbed a stone tape), but to exorcise it too – with terrifying results…
KBZ’s Take: If you’re looking for a special effects-laden horror film, you probably should skip The Stone Tape. It’s a low budget production that relies much more on the dynamic between science and the paranormal and some subtle creepiness.
However, it is one of the more unique ‘ghost stories’ over the last five decades that fans of the subgenre will enjoy.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/41N8c9R
#8
The Asphyx
Plot: Hugo is a brilliant turn-of-the-century scientist, loved and respected by his family and friends, admired by his colleagues. But he is a man quickly becoming obsessed with a curious and frightening question… what is the mysterious apparition found in the photographs of his dying subjects?
KBZ’s Take: A British film that was relatively unknown in the early 70’s and has become even more obscure fifty years later, The Asphyx is also one of the most original films of the entire subgenre. It’s an intelligent horror film that doesn’t rely on shock or jump scare tactics.
It is a slow film that takes patience to sit through, but you’ll be rewarded with an ending that has some ghostly sound effects you won’t soon forget.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3pEnn7J
#7
Shock
Plot: A couple is terrorized in their new house haunted by the vengeful ghost of the woman s former husband who possesses her young son.
KBZ’s Take: From father and son Italian Horror directors Mario Bava and Lamberto Bava, Shock isn’t one of their most memorable films but still worth checking out. It’s more on the suspenseful side and features less of the trademark Splatter & Gore Horror they are known for.
With that said, it does feature one segment you’ll never forget from the film – a haunted boxcutter. It sounds cheesy, but the method in which this boxcutter appears is one of the more memorable scenes from the film.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://tubitv.com/movies/533868/shock
#6
The Car
Plot: The film is set in the fictional Utah community of Santa Ynez, which is being terrorized by a mysterious black coupe that appears out of nowhere and begins running people down. After the car kills off the town’s Sheriff, it becomes the job of Captain Wade Parent to stop the murderous driver.
KBZ’s Take: This film is probably most memorable as part of the Golden Age of Video YouTube video that went viral almost 20 years ago. The video features various clips of films set to techno music and scenes from The Car make an appearance halfway through.
As for the film, yes it has a cheesy premise and was savaged by the critics at the time, but it’s an enjoyable ‘bad’ film. It has some very entertaining kills and one memorable sequence where the car sets its sights on a marching band. It’s a fun film to watch after you’ve gotten your full share of Gothic Horror ghost scares from the decade.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Ikc4Iw
Plot A family moves into a new home in an isolated area, and soon realizes that someone–or something–doesn’t want them there.
KBZ’s Take: If you grew up in the 1970’s, there was no shortage of Horror-based TV movies. Because these films were on broadcast TV, they couldn’t show violent and bloody scenes you would find in their theatrical counterparts. As a result, the films had to rely much more on suspense and creepiness, which quite a few of these films excelled in.
The Strange and Deadly Occurrence is one of the more memorable TV movies of this period that features your standard story of a family moving into a new home – that might be haunted. While it wasn’t very scary at the time (and less so by today’s standards), it does feature some good mystery elements and the ‘wailing ghost’ sound that became the catalyst of nightmares for numerous 70’s kids.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/2r86TMjrO40
Plot: In the late 18th century, two newlyweds move into the stately mansion of husband Charles Fengriffen. The bride, Catherine, falls victim to a curse placed by a wronged servant on the Fengriffen family and all its descendants.
KBZ’s Take: One of the better Gothic Horror Films featuring a ghost, the film is memorable for the severed hand that makes appearances throughout the film. It’s a surprisingly good effect for a film of that time.
While the film has Horror great Peter Cushing and Herbert Lom in a lead role, the film has trouble with its narrative. The film comes off as very disjointed between different sequences that can be hard to follow if you’re not paying attention.
With that said, the sequences are still very good and the background story of Sir Henry Fengriffen (Lom) is one of the decade’s better stories on how a house became haunted.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3pQtAhb
#3
Full Circle
Plot: After the death of her daughter, Julia Lofting, a wealthy housewife, moves to London to re-start her life. All seems well until she is haunted by the sadness of losing her own child and the ghosts of other children.
KBZ’s Take: Full Circle (aka The Haunting of Julia) was one of the first adaptations of Horror Novelist Peter Straub. Straub had another film adapted from his novels that we’ll cover in our next article – Ghost Story (1981).
The film is one of the better films of the decade that intertwines Psychological Horror with a ghost story. And the psychological aspects of the film are often scarier than the supernatural themes and scenes. The film does take patience to get through as it takes its time developing the psychological effects on Julia (Mia Farrow) in her new home and environment. But all we can say about the film (without ruining it) is that your patience will be rewarded at the end of the film with a very memorable sequence.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/7_ZczCuyTUM
Plot: A young couple inherits an old mansion inhabited by small demon-like creatures who are determined to make the wife one of their own.
KBZ’s Take: This is another Horror TV Movie of the Week that relied on atmosphere and suspense to deliver its very creepy tale. The film was remade by Guillermo del Tor in 2011, but the remake couldn’t match the general uneasiness that is the foundation of the original film.
While current film viewers might find the film very dated and slow (which it is), it’s still a film that holds a special place in the hearts and nightmares of 70’s kids.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WbxjSq
Plot: A team consisting of a physicist, his wife, a young female psychic and the only survivor of the previous visit are sent to the notorious Hell House to prove/disprove survival after death. Previous visitors have either been killed or gone mad, and it is up to the team to survive a full week in isolation and solve the mystery of the Hell House.
KBZ’s Take: We have this film also listed as a classic film of the subgenre and wanted to highlight it here as it’s been a bit forgotten over time. The film is also based on a novel by one of our favorite authors, Richard Matheson, so you can likely assume that most film adaptations of Matheson’s works will appear on our lists.
Using similar themes of Science vs. the Supernatural found in The Stone Tape (1972), The Legend of Hell House grips you from the opening segment as the team gets together and arrives at the house. This is accompanied by a dark and drum-filled soundtrack which sets the tone for the rest of the film.
The film’s strength is its cast – especially Pamela Franklin as the medium Florence Tanner. Her role becomes more prominent as the film progresses as the initial subject of the house’s ‘hauntings’. The film is very reliant on the acting of the ensemble characters to make the film work – and that they do and why this film is our top selection here. It’s essential viewing for both fans and completists of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3o4nZTZ
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