Detective Films Set in Old Houses: A Cinematic Journey

Description: While not a traditional detective story, this film involves a widow who moves into a haunted house and forms an unusual friendship with the ghost of a sea captain. The mystery of the captain's death and the house's secrets provide a detective-like intrigue.

Fact: The film was adapted from a novel by R.A. Dick, and the house used in the film, Gull Cottage, was a set built specifically for the movie.

Description: An eccentric millionaire invites five people to spend the night in a haunted house, promising each a large sum if they survive until morning. The film's blend of horror and mystery, with the house itself as a character, makes it a fitting entry.

Fact: The film was remade in 1999 with a more modern twist but retains the same eerie house setting.

Description: This adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale sees Sherlock Holmes investigating the curse of the Baskerville family, set in the eerie, fog-laden moors surrounding their ancestral home. The film's gothic atmosphere and the mystery of the spectral hound make it a perfect fit for this list.

Fact: This was the first film to be shot at the newly opened Bray Studios, and it marked the first time Peter Cushing played Sherlock Holmes.

Description: A classic haunted house tale, this film involves a group of people investigating paranormal activity in Hill House, an old mansion with a dark history. The psychological horror and mystery elements make it a detective story of sorts.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to enhance its eerie atmosphere, and it's considered one of the best ghost stories ever filmed.

Description: A group of researchers investigate the Belasco House, known as the "Mount Everest of haunted houses," to determine if there is life after death. The film's detective-like approach to uncovering the house's secrets and the supernatural phenomena is captivating.

Fact: The film was based on Richard Matheson's novel "Hell House," and it features Roddy McDowall in a memorable performance.

Description: Based on Isabel Allende's novel, this film spans generations in a family's old house, where secrets and spirits intertwine. The detective-like uncovering of family history and the supernatural elements make it a unique addition to this list.

Fact: The film features an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, and Winona Ryder.

Description: Set in a secluded old house in post-World War II Jersey, this film follows a woman who believes her house is haunted. The detective-like unraveling of the truth behind the hauntings provides a gripping narrative.

Fact: The film was shot in Spain, with the house being a real location that was extensively modified to fit the eerie atmosphere of the story.

Description: A young lawyer travels to a remote village to settle the estate of a deceased client, only to encounter the ghost of a woman in black haunting the old Eel Marsh House. The mystery of her identity and her connection to the house's dark past unfolds in a chilling manner.

Fact: The film is based on Susan Hill's novel and was remade from a 1989 TV movie.

Description: A brother and sister move into a cliff-top house in Cornwall, only to discover it's haunted. Their investigation into the ghostly occurrences leads to a chilling mystery involving a tragic love story from the past.

Fact: This film is often credited with being one of the first Hollywood films to take ghosts seriously, rather than using them for comedic effect.

Description: This adaptation of Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" involves a governess who suspects her young charges are being haunted by the spirits of former employees in their grand old house. The film's exploration of psychological horror and mystery is compelling.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to emphasize its eerie atmosphere, and it's often praised for its subtlety in depicting horror.