10 Eerie Behind-The-Scenes Details Of Iconic Movies That Will Give You Chills

Who said making movies is easy (and safe)?

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• February 13, 2023

Our world is full of events that are beyond explanation. From mysterious disappearances and UFO sightings to unknown creatures and mysterious phenomena, there is no shortage of evidence that the unknown exists in our world.

Then there are the unexplained disappearances of people and animals that have never been solved. These cases leave behind a trail of confusion and questions, with no concrete answers as to what happened.

We love movies about unexplained events because they leave us on the edge of our seats, wanting to know what will happen next. They take us on a journey of discovery and challenge us to think outside the box in order to solve the mystery.

Unexplained events can range from supernatural phenomena to strange occurrences that defy scientific explanations. These movies often feature characters that use their intuition and intelligence to unravel the mystery.

We are captivated by the possibility of finding the answer and discovering what exactly is going on. Curling up with a warm pumpkin latte and a good movie is the perfect way to enjoy the chill of autumn. But if you're feeling brave, why not indulge in some spooky Halloween horror movies?

You may be surprised to learn, however, that the stories behind the scenes of some of your favorite films can be far more frightening than anything on the screen. From accidents that almost cost actors their lives to sets cursed by bad luck, you'll be amazed to hear the bizarre facts behind some of the most iconic movies.

Do you have the courage to uncover the secrets of these sets?

1. Mysterious Marks On A Window On The Set Of Annabelle

The horror film Annabelle had an unexpected issue arise during production. John R. Leonetti, the director, told The Hollywood Reporter that the set window had mysterious marks that nobody had put there. However, the strange markings were found to match those written into the script perfectly.

“We went into the apartment where we were shooting, and in the transient window above the living room window. It was a full moon, and there were three fingers drawn through the dust along the window, and our demon has three fingers and three talons,” he recalled.

2. The Simpsons Predicted 9/11

To round out this list, it is important to note that The Simpsons have been known to anticipate future events accurately. In 1997, the show ran an episode featuring a brochure that had two towers in the background, forming the appearance of an eleven - a chilling premonition of the 9/11 tragedy.

Whether this was a coincidence or not is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly an eerie reminder of the show's power.

3. Jennifer Carpenter’s Radio Would Turn On By Itself

The Exorcism of Emily Rose is another movie that deals with strange events that occurred after an exorcism was captured on film. Jennifer Carpenter's radio reportedly turned on all by itself while they were shooting. Additionally, Laura Linney's TV set is said to have done the same thing.

4. Vera Farmiga Had Mysterious Marks On Her Body After The Conjuring

Vera Farmiga's performance as the psychic Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring was remarkable and so realistic that it caused her difficulty off the set. In an interview, Farmiga revealed she had three distinct scratches on her thigh that looked as if they had been made with long nails or thin fingertips.

"It was these three, very distinct, what looks like claw marks," Farmiga said.

5. The Set Of The Exorcist Was Haunted

One of the most iconic horror stories of all time, The Exorcist, was known not only for its frightening storyline but also its eerie tales from behind the scenes. Rumor has it that the set was highly cursed, and the cast and crew experienced a great deal of difficulty both during and after the production of the film.

The story of Regan and her mother's home from the movie becoming engulfed in flames is well-known, but not all were destroyed in the fire. Regan's bedroom, which was supposed to portray her possession, was left completely unscathed.

The director suggested that the fire might have been caused by pigeons flying into a lightbox. However, the crew still opted to bring a priest to bless the set as a precaution.

6. Three Crew Members Of The Omen Were Almost Struck By Lightning

When discussing classic Hollywood horror films, The Omen certainly has some eerie facts behind the scenes. Shockingly, three members of the crew were almost hit by lightning during production.

Gregory Peck's plane was struck during his flight to begin shooting, and executive producer, Mace Neufeld's plane, was hit by lightning only a few weeks later. Even producer Harvey Bernhard narrowly escaped being struck by lightning when filming in Rome.

All of these uncanny occurrences would make one question if some malicious forces were at play.

7. Shark Used The Death Of Their Employee As A Promotion

Speaking of underwater accidents, Shark was originally named Caine. The name-changing decision came after a shark killed a stunt person during the shooting of the movie.

The shark broke through the protective netting and attacked the poor guy. The photos of his death were later used for marketing the film.

8. The Water Tank Scene In Now You See Me

The water tank scene in Now You See Me almost killed the actor Isla Fisher, as her release chain got stuck while she was wearing her costume. Fisher was frantically trying to escape, while everyone on the set thought she was just executing her role to perfection.

It was a close call for the actress, but thankfully she made it out in one piece.

“I was actually drowning,” she shared on Chelsea Lately. “Everyone thought I was acting fabulously … no one realized I was actually struggling.”

9. The Omen’s Special Effects Artist Also Had A Car Crash That Mirrored A Death In The Film

John Richardson, a special effects artist, has become another victim of the "cursed" movie, The Omen. He was responsible for the make-up in the film's decapitation scene.

On Friday the 13th, a horrific car accident occurred involving Richardson and his assistant - a crash that Richardson amazingly survived.

10. The Strangling Scene In Poltergeist Was Real

The actor in the iconic clown scene in Poltergeist recalls how frightened he was, stating, "I was in a tight, confined space beneath the bed, and it was almost like being in a car accident. It happened so fast that I don't remember it, but if Steven hadn't pulled me away, who knows what might have happened?" In reality, he was being strangled for real.

Well, this was scary. However, there may be a logical explanation.

Making a movie about unexplained eerie events can certainly be an unnerving experience. As we become more engrossed in the film, we become more susceptible to events around us.

Our minds become more alert, and our senses heightened, allowing us to pick up on even the slightest of noises or movements in our environment.

Damjan