Abandoned hotels, with their silent halls and forgotten grandeur, provide the perfect backdrop for tales of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. This curated selection of films delves into the eerie atmosphere of such settings, offering viewers a chilling journey through time and space where the past refuses to stay buried. Whether you're a fan of ghost stories, psychological thrillers, or atmospheric horror, these films will captivate and unsettle you with their haunting narratives and unforgettable settings.
The Haunting (1963)
Description: While not set in a hotel, the film's setting, Hill House, shares the same eerie, abandoned feel. It's about a group of people investigating paranormal activity in an old mansion.
Fact: The film was based on Shirley Jackson's novel "The Haunting of Hill House," and its psychological horror approach was groundbreaking for its time.
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The Shining (1980)
Description: This iconic film by Stanley Kubrick is set in the isolated Overlook Hotel, where writer Jack Torrance descends into madness. The hotel's history and ghostly presence make it a quintessential entry in this collection.
Fact: The film was shot at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, but the interior scenes were filmed at Elstree Studios in England. Stephen King, the author of the novel, was not initially pleased with Kubrick's adaptation.
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The Others (2001)
Description: Although set in a house, the film's atmosphere of isolation and the supernatural closely mirrors the theme of an abandoned hotel. It's about a woman who lives with her photosensitive children in a secluded mansion.
Fact: The film was shot in Spain, and the mansion used was a real location, adding to the authenticity of the setting.
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Session 9 (2001)
Description: Set in an abandoned asylum, this film captures the same sense of isolation and dread as an abandoned hotel, with a crew discovering dark secrets within its walls.
Fact: The film was shot in the Danvers State Hospital, which was known for its haunting history.
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The Skeleton Key (2005)
Description: While not exclusively about an abandoned hotel, the film features a caretaker of an old mansion in Louisiana with a dark past, which shares thematic elements with abandoned hotels.
Fact: The film was shot in New Orleans, and the mansion used in the movie was actually a set built for the film.
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1408 (2007)
Description: Based on Stephen King's short story, this film focuses on a skeptical writer who spends a night in the notorious Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel, known for its deadly history.
Fact: The film's director, Mikael Håfström, was chosen by King himself after King saw Håfström's previous work.
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The Innkeepers (2011)
Description: Two employees of the Yankee Pedlar Inn, a supposedly haunted hotel, decide to investigate its paranormal activities during its final days before closing. The film captures the eerie atmosphere of an abandoned hotel perfectly.
Fact: The film was shot in the actual Yankee Pedlar Inn, which is said to be haunted in real life. Director Ti West also appears in the film as a guest.
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The Woman in Black (2012)
Description: While not set in a hotel, the film's setting, Eel Marsh House, is isolated and filled with ghostly presences, akin to an abandoned hotel's atmosphere.
Fact: The film is based on Susan Hill's novel and was adapted for the stage before being made into a movie.
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The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: Although not set in a hotel, the film's setting in a morgue with supernatural elements provides a similar eerie, confined atmosphere.
Fact: The film was shot in the UK, and the morgue set was built specifically for the film, enhancing its claustrophobic feel.
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The Orphanage (2007)
Description: This Spanish film involves a woman who returns to the orphanage where she grew up, now abandoned, to reopen it. The film's setting and supernatural elements make it a fitting addition.
Fact: The film was produced by Guillermo del Toro, who also helped with the script.
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