Halloween is a-comin’. In the mood for some scary movies? So are we! That’s why we’ve made a list of the Top Ten All-Time Scariest Travel-Themed Movies for you. Don’t worry, we won’t spoil the endings, just give you the gist and the Netflix links. Watch at your own risk; you may never travel again.
The Top Ten All-Time Scariest Travel-Themed Movies
1. The Exorcist — It all goes to Hell (somewhat literally) when Father Merrin is leading an archaeological dig in Iraq and pulls Pazuzu out of the sand. Be careful what you dig up on your trips to ancient cities!
2. Psycho — Gadling does not recommend the showers at the Bates Motel.
3. The Shining — This Kubrick classic starring Jack Nicholson takes place in a hotel which gets snowed in for the winter. All hotel hallways have a similar look to them, and all will feel a little more dangerous when you’ve seen what little Danny sees.
4. The Strangers — The most recent scary flick on our list (2008) stars Liv Tyler and Australian supermodel Gemma Ward. You know that isolated vacation home, or perhaps cabin, that you long to escape to? Watch this first. (Or don’t.)5. Texas Chainsaw Massacre — Oh my gosh, people. Don’t pick up hitchhikers, and don’t enter strange houses in isolated towns where you’re investigating graveyard vandalism and corpse defilement. This is Not Getting Killed 101.
6. The Descent — Spelunking is cool and all, with the stalactites, stalagmites and fascinating species of animals who’ve evolved to live underground, but first, find out what the name of the cave is …
7. The Hills Have Eyes — If someone invites you on a road trip and you don’t want to go, pop this 1977 Wes Craven hit into their mailbox. They may reconsider.
8. Hostel — Ah, backpacking. It’s all fun and games until you visit the wrong hostel. Just remember: if you’re abroad and someone invites you somewhere promising loose women and good times, you are not that good looking. Run for your life.
9. Vacancy — Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson may not be your idea of a good horror film duo, but the concept of this movie will freak you out next time you visit an isolated hotel with no cell reception — oh yeah, and, you probably shouldn’t do that.
10. The Blair Witch Project — Ten years later, we are still laughing about the one sentence review: “Three potty mouths in a thicket.” Still, if investigating local ghost stories or taking extensive hikes is part of your regular vacation fare, make sure you’ve seen this cult favorite.
You’ll note that in all cases, we’ve linked the originals, not the remakes. That wasn’t an accident. Just sayin’.
Happy Halloween!