The world of film and movies is full of horrors, thrillers, and ghost stories. Some of the best and most successful movies are adapted from books, and the horror genre is no different. There are many that have taken their stories or basis from written media. While many don't realize it, some of the best movies about ghost stories are taken from books.
Updated Oct 13, 2023: This article has been updated with even more ghost movies that are based on books.
12 Christine (1983)
Master of Horror John Carpenter took on the challenge to bring to life one of Stephen King's many horror stories with Christine in 1983. The screenplay by Bill Phillips takes the most resounding elements of the book to create an original story where a bullied nerd named Arnie Cunningham buys a 1958 Plymouth Fury for $200, becoming infatuated with the car. After restoring it to mint condition, his bully decides it'll be fun to trash his car. Arnie discovers Christine is alive, so he takes her for a ride to kill every person who wrongs him. Although the movie is a cult classic and one of Carpeter's best works, King was displeased with the final result.
11 Candyman (1992)
Clive Barker should be regarded as one of the most imaginative minds in the horror genre. He certainly has a knack for visuals that is unparalleled. The creator of Hellraiser had another of his works adapted into a major motion picture in 1992, with Candyman, an adaptation of a novella named The Forbidden, part of the anthology Books and Blood. The story follows a woman named Helen Lyle, who is researching the myth of the Candyman. The myth about this spirit is related to a story of forbidden love and a racially motivated execution. This film made Tony Todd a staple of the horror genre.
10 It (2017)
Warner Bros. Pictures
If you're wondering why we chose the 2017 remake of It over the original, it's because the 1990 mini-series opted to make Pennywise into an extraterrestrial being, while the 2017 version decided to stick to the source material by making the murderous clown the supernatural entity he was meant to be. The film by Andy Muschietti follows the misadventures of The Loser's Club, a group of friends who find themselves facing off against Pennywise. This murderous clown took the life of Georgi, the young brother of one of the kids. The Loser's Club manages to defeat Pennywise, only for it to return 27 years later and begin its rampage again.
9 The Exorcist (1973)
The ultimate horror blockbuster of 1973 is an adaptation of a novel of the same name written by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin, tells the story of a young girl named Regan who is suddenly possessed by a demonic entity known as Pazuzu. After exhausting all medical options to figure out what is wrong with Regan, his mother finally caves in and calls an exorcist to help free her little girl from the demon's clutches. This film is still considered a landmark of horror and one of the best representations of prestige horror films ever offered in cinemas.
8 The Haunting/The Haunting of Hill House (1999)
The 1999 film The Haunting had a rockstar cast and a great story. Set at a sprawling estate, a doctor holds a study with three participants on the psychological effects of fear. During the stay, the participants are told of the house's history and all the tortured souls who perished there. The study is interrupted when real ghosts begin to intervene. Unfortunately, the film's execution did not meet expectations. The film was loosely based on the 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. The novel has been adapted many times. There are multiple movies, a stage play, and the most recent is a limited series on Netflix.
7 The Shining (1980)
The 1980 Stanley Kubrick film The Shining revolutionized the cinematography world. The story follows a family as they travel to an isolated hotel that has a sinister presence. The father becomes violently possessed while his psychic son is tormented by the spirits that dwell in the hotel. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name. The book was a huge success that gave way for a very successful film. Unfortunately, King actually came out against the film, saying that it was not an accurate depiction of his work. This, however, does not deter fans from saying that the film is one of the best classic horror films.
6 The Legend of Hell House (1973)
The 1973 classic horror film The Legend of Hell House created an entire horror trope that is still followed in current films. The film takes place at the "Mount Everest of haunted houses" as a physicist investigates the afterlife. The group of researchers is confronted with the former owner's evil past as a sadist and murderer. The group must survive the house's evil intentions before they are killed like the prior victims. The movie's screenplay was written by Richard Matheson, the author of the original 1971 novel Hell House. While the film was met with mixed reviews, it is still one of the greats among the many classic films in Matheson's filmography.
5 The Woman in Black (2012)
The Woman in Black is a popular film from 2012 that starred Daniel Radcliffe. Set in 1906, a widowed lawyer travels to a remote village where the ghost of a vengeful woman is terrorizing the locals. The black spirit targets the village's children as penance for her own child being taken from her. The film was based on Susan Hill's 1983 novel of the same name. The book was originally adapted in 1989 for an ITV TV movie that aired on Christmas Eve. The 2012 version was successful enough at the box office for a sequel that came out in 2015.
Here's Some of the Scariest Movies About Ghosts
These scary movies about ghosts contain the best frights and thrills, but also provoke conversations about what exactly a ghost might mean.4 Ghost Story (1981)
Ghost Story is a supernatural horror movie from 1981 that stars the legendary Fred Astaire. The movie shows four aging friends as they gather together as an informal men's club to share horrifying tales. When one of them suspects a woman's ghost is haunting them, they begin to discuss their involvement in the woman's death from some years ago. The movie has a phenomenal cast, with Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. on screen together for the last time. It was based on Peter Straub's Ghost Story, published in 1979, and Roger Ebert even gave a review saying the film was an improvement on the novel's material.
3 Don't Look Now (1973)
Don't Look Now is a thriller film from 1973. The film follows a married couple as they travel to Venice after the death of their daughter. While working to restore a church, the couple meet a clairvoyant woman who claims their daughter is trying to contact them from the beyond. At first, the couple are skeptical until mysterious sightings begin to appear. The film is renowned for its editing style that drove the audience into the emotions and themes of the film. The successful film was adapted from the Daphne du Maurier short story of the same name that was published in 1971.
2 Ringu (1998)
The Japanese supernatural horror film Ringu from 1998 was what revolutionized horror film and brought Japanese horror elements to Western cinema. The movie shows a reporter who races to solve the mystery behind a videotape that kills its viewers in seven days. The film was based on a mystery horror novel of the same name, written by Koji Suzuki in 1991. The film was so popular that multiple sequels were made. Then, in 2002, an American remake was released that sparked an era of Japanese horror remakes.
1 The Amityville Horror (1979)
The 1979 film The Amityville Horror is a terrifying thriller film that was based on allegedly true events. The story shows the Lutz family that buys a home in Amityville, New York. The couple discovers that a mass murder took place in the house, and now there are supernatural forces threatening the family. The film was based on the 1977 book of the same name by Jay Anson. The book was the collection of claims that the Lutz family made about living in a terrifying haunted home. The film was one of the highest-grossing independent films of all time, and in 2005, a remake was released to welcoming reviews.