Feeling lost in the vast world of ghost horror films? Are you looking for films featuring those white beings that have haunted us since childhood? Want to surprise your friends with a cult movie they’ve never seen? 👻
Then welcome to our online store. Monsters, skulls, zombies and of course… ghosts are our specialty! And in this article, we’re going to present you with (as you’ve come to expect) a unique list of the 50 best films with ghosts of all time.
Having already offered you a superb selection of the best zombie films, then Halloween films, here are 50 films for you, whether romantic, comic or sci-fi, featuring one or more ghosts: 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
Movie #50: Casper (1995)
Casper is a bit old-fashioned to watch today, compared, for example, to a film like Jurassic Park… The special effects have seriously aged, making some of the ghostly characters a little less convincing. 🤔
But it’s still a memorable film for kids, as it takes a surprisingly dark and mature approach to death and grief. It’s the perfect film to spend a weekend afternoon on the couch with the kids!
Movie #49: The Lady in Black (2012)
It’s fair to say that producing such a traditional ghost story in 2012 brings a bit of novelty. Daniel Radcliffe, fresh from his role in Harry Potter, plays a Victorian lawyer who travels to the countryside to negotiate the sale of a house that turns out to be haunted by the spirit of the Lady in Black. ⚫️
The film offers some amusing twists and evokes classic British haunted house films of the past, as Radcliffe explores dark, cobwebbed rooms with a flaming candelabra to light his way.
Movie #48: The Entity (1982)
The Entity is an 80s supernatural thriller backed by Martin Scorsese. The famed director called it one of the scariest horror films of all time, and it’s easy to see why…
The idea of being attacked, especially sexually, by an invisible force is the ultimate in helplessness. Based on the true story of Doris Bither, who claims to have been repeatedly attacked by the vindictive spirits of three men, this film is a whirlwind of psycho-sexual energy reminiscent of 70s horror films with a touch of 80s sci-fi. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but its tagline is particularly unsettling: “Based on a true story… that’s not over yet.”
Movie #47: Hypnosis (1999)
Unlike “Sixth Sense”, which relies heavily on atmosphere and tension, Hypnosis is a true popcorn thriller, a supernatural thriller that sees Kevin Bacon descend into frenzied hyperactivity after opening the doors of his perception wide during a failed hypnosis session. 😵
Today, the film seems to be regaining its status as an underrated horror classic. Hypnosis is an effective classic, filled with themes common in ghost movies for as long as there have been ghost movies.
Movie #46: Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
The Grudge, along with Ringu, are the two most striking examples of Japanese horror films. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about this series of tales involving people threatened by the ghosts of a murdered family, but boy, the depiction of the childlike spirit of “Toshio” in particular has become a symbol of the entire genre. 😈
His stories of retribution may seem conventional, but the art direction that created this spooky child has had an undeniable influence on almost every ghost film that has come along since.
Movie #45: Amityville: The Devil’s House (1979)
Its story is pretty basic: a family moves into a new house, but things get complicated when night falls. Secret rooms, invisible hands, disembodied voices and disturbing spirits. 👽
Famous for its blood-soaked walls, this classic is sure to scare you. Amityville the Devil’s House was followed by five other films named after the town “Amityville” in the next three years alone, so it’s safe to say it made a lasting impression!
Movie #44: Mama (2013)
Although Mama’s story isn’t particularly original, the film is packed with spooky scenes featuring ghosts. The first scene, for example, shows a car with its door open, empty but running, the radio broadcasting news. 🧐
There are many classic horror films that explore the weirdness of children, but Andrés Muschietti succeeds in making children almost supernatural and dangerous… The director also gets solid performances from his actors, notably Jessica Chastain. It’s hard not to become attached to her character, Annabel.
Movie #43: The Adventures of Bill and Ted (1991)
There’s no denying the charm, wit, visual style and postmodern joy of this sci-fi/comedy hybrid sequel starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter as brain-dead saviors of humanity. 🧠
The plot is framed by the villainous robots Bill and Ted, who try to sabotage our heroes’ journey to glory, which is pretty ridiculous. The fun lies when the idiots are killed and have to find a way back to life. This leads them to paradise, accompanied by Death, played with surprising sweetness by William Sadler.
Movie #42: House of the Damned (1973)
Every generation has its haunted house movie that reflects the cinematic mentality of the time, and for the 1970s, it’s The Legend of Hell House (original version).
A doctor assembles a team of psychics to confront the evil of a haunted house, and the house doesn’t disappoint. It practically declares war on them from the start, but the plot is complicated by the fact that all the researchers are simultaneously plotting against each other. The Legend of Hell House benefits from a solid script, lush cinematography and pleasing colors for the period.
Movie #41: Room 1408 (2007)
Room 1408 is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. It’s a devious and intense ghost story, featuring one of the few John Cusack performances worth seeing in the last 15 years. Cusack plays a paranormal investigator and skeptical writer who doesn’t believe a word he writes, until he enters Room 1408… 🗝
It’s a descent into hell for the main character. The evil hotel room plays on him with the specters of the room’s previous victims, tormenting him with demons from his own past. All this culminates in a surprisingly moving conclusion that offers a semblance of hope for peace in the afterlife. Entertaining and slightly frightening, Room 1408 is a film well above the average of major horror productions.
Movie #40: Session 9 (2001)
You’ll certainly have no trouble finding fervent supporters of Session 9. It’s often mentioned, alongside films such as Lake Mungo, as a psychological/supernatural indie film that manages to accomplish a lot on a shoestring budget.
Its plot revolves around an asbestos removal crew cleaning out an abandoned insane asylum. This isn’t your typical haunted house, full of ghostly apparitions and scares. Instead, it’s an unsettling psychological thriller, constantly asking the audience to question the nature of reality and a character’s reliability. Is everyone going crazy? Which characters are really alive or dead?
Movie #39: Ouija: The Origins (2016)
While the first Ouija was an unoriginal film, its sequel directed by Mike Flanagan, a horror fan and prolific filmmaker in the genre, adopts the horror aesthetic of the 60s.
The director offers us a horror film for adults that skilfully blends the modern sensibilities of the genre with the tried-and-tested stylistic approaches of its origins. Ghosts, fear and much more, this is a film not to be missed!
Movie #38: 2 Sisters (2003)
2 Sisters is a complex and somewhat confusing Korean horror film. It skilfully blends complicated family relationships with supernatural elements. This classic of Korean horror cinema is particularly popular with fans of the genre. It combines a plot of psychological torture with classic ghostly elements reminiscent of Hollywood classics.
The film follows two sisters as the eldest is released from a mental institution and returns to the troubled family who placed her there. From there, the film raises many questions: what are the real motivations of the sisters’ cruel stepmother? What is tormenting the youngest sister? Is the father an accomplice to murder? What really happened to the sisters’ biological mother when she was ill in their now haunted house? This is undoubtedly a film that deserves to be seen several times, as the development of its plot is complex and subtle.
Movie #37: The Adventure of Mrs. Muir (1947)
The Phantom and Mrs. Muir is a 1940s classic about a young widower who moves with his daughter to a house by the sea, where she meets the grumpy ghost of the previous owner, a ship’s captain. An unlikely romance slowly develops between the two, and our protagonist uses the captain’s life experiences to write a bestseller.
The film is straightforward, full of the misunderstandings and false starts typical of romances of the period, but Harrison is charming as Captain Gregg. It’s a great ghost movie to watch on a date, especially if you like historical cinema.
Movie #36: Ghosts vs. Ghosts (1996)
The Frighteners (original title) is an odd mix of fantasy, horror and comedy that should appeal to fans of that kind of mix. It’s a story of supernatural revenge, featuring frenetic characters like Jake Busey and an extremely nervous Jeffrey Combs as an FBI agent pushed to the limit.
Movie #35: Candyman (1992)
Candyman is both a gorgeous gothic romance and a scathing critique of government neglect and urban decay in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods. Sometimes dark, sometimes seductive, sometimes simply repulsive.
Tony Todd, in the lead role, possesses a hypnotic quality that delicately oscillates between the strange and the terrifying, while Virginia Madsen, in the title role, really let herself be hypnotized by her director on set to properly convey the feeling of falling under Candyman’s spell.
Movie #34: Fog (1980)
If you’re a horror fan, it’s hard not to appreciate the basic concept of fog with its clouds of white vapor bringing swift death. The sequel to John Carpenter’s “Halloween” benefits from a slightly higher budget, which translates into more successful special effects. The Fog (original title) is a superior film in terms of casting, reuniting Carpenter with Jamie Lee Curtis, albeit in a less prominent role.
The story takes place in a Californian coastal town celebrating its 100th anniversary, as dark secrets from the 19th century begin to resurface. It turns out that the town’s “founding fathers” committed some very serious crimes against humanity, and a group of restless revenants are now on the hunt for well-deserved revenge. Adrienne Barbeau, Carpenter’s wife at the time, is caught in the middle of this madness.
Movie #33: Ghost (1990)
Ghost, released in 1990 and starring Patrick Swayze, also features elements of romance, comedy, mystery and some pretty stunning special effects for a film that’s now 30 years old. There’s a lightness of spirit to this film, a kind of pleasant detachment.
Grab your favorite beverage by your side and watch this now cult classic. You’ll find a rather unlikely and utterly elusive ghost. The main character goes round in circles only to realize that… go and find out the ending for yourself!
Film #32: The Haunted House (1959)
Every William Castle film has its own country charm, but House on Haunted Hill (original title) is a true masterpiece. It simply has it all: a big, spooky house, a mystery and a deeply hilarious walking skeleton.
For us, it’s the quintessential 1950s horror film, even though it was released at the end of that decade. It’s totally out of step with today’s standards, but it features fun, over-the-top performances, witty dialogue and a healthy dose of fear. It’s the kind of movie you can watch over and over again and never tire of.
Movie #31: The Innkeepers (2011)
The Innkeepers shares some of the DNA of House of the Devil (by the same director). However, it’s rawer and more realistic, following the mostly mundane adventures of two friends (Sara Paxton and Pat Healy) working in a dilapidated old hotel and conducting nocturnal paranormal research in their workplace.
Things eventually get out of hand at night, and the film turns into a fairly standard ghost story. Some might find it slow or too focused on trivial details, while others enjoy those suspenseful scenes.
Movie #30: Under the Shadow (2016)
Under the Shadow is a horror film of a different kind that palpably conveys the claustrophobia of Iran during its tumultuous post-revolutionary period. Anvari, himself from a family that eventually fled the Ayatollah’s regime, directed Under the Shadow as a statement of rebellion and a tribute to his own mother.
The main character confronts her own demons while protecting her child from an equally demonic ghost.
Movie #29: House (1977)
How to describe House? Anyone who’s seen this madcap Japanese blend of horror, comedy and fantasy knows it’s no easy task. House has often been described as being “like Jaws, but with a house”. But this comparison is not entirely accurate. Where Spielberg’s film is a classic adventure, Obayashi’s is a terrifying, delirious journey.
Horror films are often full of scary creatures, slow-motion scenes and supernatural situations. If you know of another film in which a woman is devoured by a living, evil piano, feel free to share it in the comments.
Movie #28: Conjuring (2013)
James Wan is undoubtedly a talented horror film director. The Conjuring is considered one of his finest feature films. This haunted house story, while following a familiar pattern, stands out for its spooky atmosphere and polished aesthetics. The film manages to captivate viewers with scary moments and a plot based on classic ghost stories. It also stands out for its intensity and impressive visual effects, making it a superior horrific experience.
Movie #27: Oculus (2013)
Oculus presents a surprisingly original concept in which a haunted mirror plays a central role. Director Mike Flanagan delivers an elegant and chilling horror film that exceeds expectations. By skilfully blending two overlapping stories, the film creates an unsettling atmosphere that blurs the boundaries of reality. Oculus stands out for its unconventional approach and offers a terrifying and captivating experience.
Movie #26: Ringu (1998)
Ringu is an iconic Japanese horror film focusing on the deadly terror caused by a cursed VHS tape. Director Hideo Nakata uses striking images, spooky sound design and immersive cinematography to create an atmosphere of fear and paranoia. Ringu made its mark on the West with its unique approach to the “J-horror” genre, and remains a benchmark in the field.
Movie #25: Grave Encounters (2011)
Grave Encounters is a horror film that presents itself as a parody of TV ghost-hunting shows. The story follows a TV crew specializing in paranormal phenomena as they come face to face with an authentically evil location. The film goes beyond expectations, offering chilling moments and a well-constructed plot that surprises the viewer.
Movie #24: Le Carnaval des Âmes (1962)
The Carnival of Souls is a low-budget psychological horror film that follows the story of a woman haunted by strange visions and apparitions. Directed by Herk Harvey, the film offers a striking visual aesthetic and a disturbing exploration of reality. Carnival of Souls is considered a classic of the genre and influenced many later horror films.
Movie #23: The Canal (2014)
The Canal is an Irish independent horror film distinguished by its serious and competent direction. Directed by Ivan Kavanagh, the film offers a psychologically intense experience with a remarkable visual aesthetic. Although the story can become a little predictable towards the end, The Canal creates a terrifying atmosphere and maintains constant tension throughout.
Movie #22: Crimson Peak (2015)
Crimson Peak, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is a film that deftly blends Victorian-era romance with elements of fantasy and horror. The film features demonic ghosts in a visually sumptuous setting. Crimson Peak is a visual masterpiece that offers a unique cinematic experience, blending suspense, romance and terror.
Movie #21: A Christmas Carol (1984)
“A Christmas Carol” is a well-known ghost story, and numerous film versions have been made over the years. Among these adaptations, George C. Scott’s version stands out for its convincing portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge. The film offers a festive atmosphere while exploring themes of redemption and personal transformation.
Film #20: The Mysterious Cliff (1944)
The Uninvited, also known as The Mysterious Cliff, is a horror film that marked a turning point in the ghost film genre. Released in 1944, it dared to present ghosts as real, which was an innovative approach at the time. The Uninvited tells a gripping, emotional story of mystery and family drama, offering an unforgettable cinematic experience.
The action takes place in a seaside mansion that has witnessed violence in the past and threatens to repeat it, as the descendants of the original victims (and perpetrators) return to face the sins of their ancestors.
Movie #19: The Others (2001)
The Others is a majestic ghost thriller, classic in structure, sumptuous in appearance and somewhat familiar in plot. Nicole Kidman delivers a remarkable performance in this film, which borrows elements from gothic horror literature to create a captivating cinematic experience. The Others skillfully blends mystery, suspense and dread, and is sure to send shivers down your spine.
Movie #18: Lac Mungo (2008)
Lac Mungo is a film that breaks away from the conventions of typical ghost stories. It focuses on family, emotions and the quest for understanding after death. This family drama explores the aftermath of tragedy and the search for answers about the life of the deceased daughter. With powerful performances and a realistic approach, Lac Mungo is a film that skillfully blends the supernatural and the dramatic, offering a captivating cinematic experience.
Film #17: Field of Dreams (1989)
Field of Dreams, adapted from Kinsella’s novel Shoeless Joe, is much more than just a film about sports. It’s a story that explores belief in the magic of sport, the links between generations and the quest for personal achievement. With universal themes and a spellbinding atmosphere, Jusqu’au bout du Rêve offers a unique cinematic experience that blends sport and the spiritual dimension.
Movie #16: A Ghost Story (2017)
A Ghost Story is a bold film that stands out for its unique approach to paranormal activity. In this film, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara play a couple confronted with the sudden death of a man. The film explores temporality, nostalgia and human existence in a contemplative and poetic way. With long takes and a silent atmosphere, A Ghost Story offers a singular and emotional cinematic experience.
Film #15: We Are Still Here (2015)
We Are Still Here is a terrifying horror film that marked 2015. It plunges viewers into an atmosphere of terror from the very first moments. The director skilfully masters the tension and plays with the audience’s expectations throughout. The New England winter adds an extra layer of desperation to this haunted house, creating a frightening and captivating cinematic experience.
Movie #14: Coco (2017)
Coco, an animated film from Pixar Studios, is a vibrant, beautiful and delightful work. It offers a captivating cinematic experience for children and adults alike. Through its story and exceptional visual quality, Coco explores the world of the dead in a unique and enchanting way, skilfully blending the theme of horror with elements of imagination and adventure.
This is the captivating story of Miguel, a young man determined to realize his dreams despite the obstacles. But he’ll have to contend with mischievous little ghosts looking to make things difficult for him!
Movie #13: The Beyond (1981)
L’Au-Delà (The Beyond in the original version) is a masterful work by Lucio Fulci that transcends the zombie genre. Although zombies are present, the real heart of this film is the ghostly horror that haunts the story.
The plot takes place in an old ruined hotel that houses a door to hell in its cellar. When this door opens, all hell breaks loose and invades the building. The Beyond deftly blends the aesthetics of a haunted house with demonic possession, creating a terrifying atmosphere where the undead and ghostly apparitions rub shoulders.
Movie #12: Personal Shopper (2017)
Personal Shopper is an enigmatic tale that offers an invisible presence in contact with the main character, linked to his deceased twin brother. This stalking by an invisible assailant makes this one of the best ghost films. Nothing in the story unfolds in a predictable way, which makes the sudden appearances of suggestive and potentially dangerous text messages even more menacing…
The film evolves from a ghost story into a breathless thriller. However, it is this genre transition that allows Assayas to tackle serious themes of grief and disillusionment with subtlety. Personal Shopper is a film to see if you’re looking for something unusual.
Movie #11: The Orphanage (2007)
The Orphanage, directed by J.A. Bayona, is a film that draws heavily on Guillermo Del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone, but it also adopts a more majestic Gothic horror style, far removed from the dusty realism of Del Toro’s Spanish Civil War ghost story.
The story takes place in a ruined mansion by the sea, filled with ghosts. A woman moves into the orphanage where she grew up with her husband and their young son, and finds herself drawn into the secrets of the house and the former orphans who lived there. The film explores themes of deep emotion and the impossible desire to protect loved ones in the face of inevitability. The Orphanage is a powerful and captivating work.
Movie #10: Beetlejuice (1988)
After a well-deserved vacation, Barbara and Adam Maitland discover unwanted guests in their home. Even though they may be dead and their home sold to an unsuspecting couple, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin aren’t willing to accept the situation. Their attempt to hire an exorcist to get rid of the ghosts only makes matters worse. 📿
As the situation deteriorates, the hired exorcist spirals out of control and plunges us into Tim Burton’s delirious universe, where a story gone wrong comes to life. Beetlejuice is an entertaining ghost story, suitable for the whole family despite its wackiness.
Movie #9: Sixth Sense (1999)
With outstanding performances from Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment, as well as an authentically chilling atmosphere, Sixth Sense was a phenomenon when it was released in 1999. The film is genuinely frightening, especially the scene where Cole is locked in a box with a malevolent ghost…
For better or worse, Shyamalan has made a horror film that remains as captivating today, although he has failed to replicate the same success with his later films.
Movie #8: L’Échine Du Diable (2001)
L’Échine du Diable (The Devil’s Backbone in its original version) is unquestionably its director’s most terrifying film. Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, and told from the point of view of a young child, The Devil’s Backbone is an exploration of childhood terrors through escape into a fantasy world and the confrontation of these fears with the darkness of reality.
Santi, the young ghost who haunts this Spanish orphanage, is a mystery, a character whose desires elude us. As tension slowly builds and an unexploded bomb from the war becomes a vivid reminder of the surrounding violence, The Devil’s Backbone deftly combines the spooky elements of an orphanage film mentioned earlier.
Movie #7: Ghostbusters (1984)
As evidenced by the many films of the ’80s and the animated series that followed, Ghostbusters held a great fascination for children. The film follows a team of parapsychologists as they solve ghost problems in New York. Of course, some of the special effects may seem dated, but this sometimes adds to its retro charm. 🙃
And even though the villains come from beyond, they’re also very kid-friendly. With Slimer, a toy who turns prankster, and the giant Stay-Puft marshmallow man. Pass this classic comedy on to the next generation, too, to take culture to another level!
Movie #6: The Devil’s Child (1980)
George C. Scott plays a melancholy composer grieving for his recently deceased wife and daughter in Peter Medak’s haunted house/supernatural thriller. Dubbed one of the scariest films of all time by Martin Scorsese, The Changeling (original version) tackles terror with intensity. Medak masterfully plays the rise of fear in the face of the unknown. 😩
After moving into a new home, a century-old mansion also inhabited by the tormented spirit of a young boy, John Russell digs to uncover the story of an institutional cover-up and power wielded monstrously in the name of financial profit.
Film #5: The Devil’s House (1963)
Director Robert Wise hoped to experience paranormal phenomena while filming this adaptation of a Shirley Jackson novel. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Nevertheless, he offered viewers an imaginatively frightening and highly stylized experience. John Markway, a professor of anthropology, investigates reports of psychic phenomena in the terrifying New England house known as Hill House. 🏚️
His entourage includes two very different women with psychic powers: Eleanor and Theodora, as well as skeptic and Hill House heir Luke Sanderson. Wise creates an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere with a directorial style that leaves plenty of room for speculation about how much of what we see is paranormal, as well as the characters’ distorted perceptions…
Movie #4: Poltergeist (1982)
Steven Spielberg’s first big hit as a producer was released at the same time as ET. The Freelings are an unassuming, “typical” middle-class family living in a peaceful suburb that becomes less peaceful when their home is caught in the grip of supernatural disturbances. The pet canary dies. Strange weather phenomena occur. Carol Ann, the youngest child, stands in front of the TV in one of the most iconic scenes in horror movie history, illuminated by a mysterious beam of green light as the room begins to shake. 🧐
As Carol Ann is constantly drawn to the TV, where she starts talking to “TV people”, and ends up being sucked into a dimensional vortex in the closet, father Steve consults parapsychologist Dr. Lesh. Lesh realizes that things are getting out of hand and calls in an exorcist…
Movie #3: Kwaidan (1964)
In Kwaidan, a selfish, poor man abandons his wife to marry another woman, only to realize he’s made a grave mistake. This plunges him into a Gothic nightmare of decay and regret. The film features a blind musician-monk confronted by a family of ghosts. 💮
From these exciting ghost stories that enchant wakes, the director creates a myth for the haunted past of his country, Japan.
Movie #2: The Innocents (1961)
There are few Gothic horror films more iconic than this one. Dressed in a flowing nightgown, wandering the corridors of a Victorian country house at midnight, flaming candelabra in hand, sweeping through cobwebs in search of the source of a mysterious sound, the title character isn’t off to a good time. 🕯️
The young governess cares for two orphaned children whose wealthy uncle has no room in his heart for family members. From the very first moments, the ghostly presence of the past is palpable, and the scene is filmed in such a way as to send shivers down one’s spine…
Movie #1: Shining (1980)
Another adaptation of a Stephen King novel! The main character is a creep from the first moments we meet him at his job interview. And it only gets worse after that, with the implied threat of violence against Danny and Wendy hanging over every scene like a sword of Damocles. ⚔️ 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
His madness is brilliantly evoked through some of the most iconic visual and sound montages in cinema history. Few horror films have used sound as unsettlingly as The Shining. This film, like The Exorcist, gets into your bones, infecting every perspective you have on the horror genre for the rest of your life. It’s a monumental film to see without waiting another minute!
