Horror Films About Hippies: A Dark Journey into the Counterculture

Description: This British horror classic involves a police sergeant investigating the disappearance of a young girl on a remote Scottish island, only to find himself ensnared in a pagan cult's sinister rituals. The film's portrayal of a hippie commune with pagan undertones makes it a perfect fit for this list.

Fact: The film was initially a commercial failure but has since become a cult classic. It was remade in 2006 with Nicolas Cage.

Description: After losing her daughter, Julia moves to London to start anew, but her new home is haunted by the spirit of a young girl. The film's themes of loss and supernatural connection echo the spiritual exploration often associated with hippie culture.

Fact: The film was released in the U.S. under the title "The Haunting of Julia."

Description: While not directly about hippies, this film features a family holiday gone wrong when the children become infected with a mysterious illness, turning them into killers. The setting in a remote, nature-surrounded house evokes the isolation often associated with hippie communes.

Fact: The film was shot in the UK and uses the eerie atmosphere of the countryside to enhance its horror elements.

Description: Although set in the 17th century, this film's exploration of witch hunts and the hysteria surrounding them mirrors the communal paranoia that can be found in some hippie horror narratives.

Fact: Vincent Price stars as the infamous Matthew Hopkins, and the film was directed by Michael Reeves, who died tragically young.

Description: An anthology film where each segment involves a different tenant of a mysterious house. One story, "Sweets to the Sweet," features a father dealing with his daughter's witchcraft, which can be seen as a metaphor for the darker side of the counterculture.

Fact: The film was produced by Amicus Productions, known for their horror anthologies.

Description: Set in 17th-century England, this film explores a rural community's descent into madness after unearthing a demonic presence. The film's themes of communal hysteria and folk horror resonate with the darker aspects of the hippie movement.

Fact: The movie was part of the British folk horror movement, which often dealt with themes of paganism and rural isolation.

Description: This film involves a satanic cult in a small town, with members including hippies, seeking to reclaim a book of names for a ritual. The film's depiction of a cult with hippie elements makes it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: It features a young John Travolta in one of his early roles, and the film's climax involves a literal rain of acid.

Description: This film features a model moving into a Brooklyn brownstone, only to discover it's a gateway to Hell. The film's use of a communal living space and the supernatural elements tie into the hippie horror theme.

Fact: The film boasts an impressive cast including Christopher Walken, Burgess Meredith, and Ava Gardner.

Description: This film tells the story of a man who claims to have learned a deadly shout from an Aboriginal shaman. The film's exploration of the supernatural and its impact on a small community reflects the hippie fascination with alternative cultures and mysticism.

Fact: It won the Grand Prix at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival.

Description: An American couple inherits a British estate, only to find themselves embroiled in a sinister plot involving witchcraft and a coven. The film's setting and themes of communal living and occult practices fit well with the hippie horror theme.

Fact: The film was directed by Richard Marquand, who later directed "Return of the Jedi."