- 31Peter Liapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres
1984's Ghoulies, directed by Luca Bercovici, combines horror and comedy in a story about a man who accidentally summons ancient demons using a cursed ritual. Its humorous approach to the ancient curse theme makes Ghoulies a fun and campy entry in the genre.
- 32Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson
Tim Burton's 1999 Gothic horror film, Sleepy Hollow, transports audiences to the eerie town of Sleepy Hollow, where protagonist Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) must unravel the mysteries behind a series of grisly murders and confront an ancient curse. With its atmospheric visuals and chilling storyline, Sleepy Hollow stands as a spellbinding entry in the ancient curse genre.
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- 33Faith Ford, Chase Masterson, Clayton RohnerAfter learning of a disaster at a remote military base in Antarctica, the CIA sends Capt. Sam Cage (Clayton Rohner) and Maj. Callie O'Grady (Chase Masterson) to investigate. They find only two survivors -- Dr. Jennifer Wells (Faith Ford) and Brian Shebanski (Max Perlich), the base's operations officer. Neither has any idea what happened to the rest of the team, but, after Wilson sees a ghost from her past and bodies mysteriously start piling up, they begin to suspect they're not alone.
- 34
Antlers
Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. ThomasThe upcoming horror film Antlers, directed by Scott Cooper and produced by Guillermo del Toro, explores ancient curses in connection with a supernatural creature that terrorizes a small town. With an intriguing premise and a dark atmosphere, Antlers has the potential to make a significant impact on the ancient curse film genre.
More Antlers - 35Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson, Jesse Eisenberg
Wes Craven's 2005 horror film Cursed takes a modern approach to werewolf mythology, exploring the consequences of an ancient curse that plagues a brother and sister after a terrifying attack. Boasting a strong cast and the horror master's touch, Cursed offers a unique take on cursed transformations in contemporary society.
More Cursed- #59 of 143 onThe Best Movies of 2005
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- 36Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving
Joe Johnston's 2010 remake of the classic 1941 film, The Wolfman, delves into the dark and tragic tale of Lawrence Talbot (portrayed by Benicio Del Toro), who is inflicted with an ancient curse that transforms him into a monstrous werewolf. With its gothic atmosphere and strong performances, The Wolfman adds a contemporary touch to the legacy of ancient curse films.
More The Wolfman- #104 of 114 on50+ Movies That Need Sequels
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- 37Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Jordan Gavaris
Don Mancini's 2013 installment in the Child's Play franchise, Curse of Chucky, returns to the series' horror roots and adds a fresh spin on the ancient curse that animates the murderous doll. This film delivers genuine thrills and scares, proving that the Chucky saga still has much to offer within the realm of ancient curse films.
More Curse of Chucky- #329 of 397 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 38Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin
Roman Polanski's 1999 supernatural thriller, The Ninth Gate, follows book dealer Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) as he unravels the mysteries surrounding a cursed tome that is rumored to summon the Devil himself. The atmospheric storytelling and engaging plot make this film a fascinating exploration of the power of ancient curses.
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- 39Odessa A'zion, Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison
Clive Barker's 1987 horror classic Hellraiser introduces viewers to the twisted world of the Cenobites, demonic beings who thrive on pain and suffering unleashed through an ancient puzzle box. With its iconic imagery and deeply unsettling themes, Hellraiser has earned its status as a seminal film in the ancient curse genre.
- 40Hornswoggle, Stephanie Bennett, Andrew DunbarWhile backpacking through Ireland, two couples discover that one of the country's most-famous legends is terrifyingly real.
- 41
Wishmaster
Tammy Lauren, Andrew Divoff, Robert EnglundDirected by Robert Kurtzman in 1997, Wishmaster centers around an ancient, malevolent genie who grants sinister wishes that ultimately lead to the wisher's demise. This horror-fantasy film delves into themes of greed and malevolence with a cursed twist, marking it as a unique and entertaining entry in the ancient curse genre.
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- 42Dan Castellaneta, Adam Baldwin, Morena Baccarin
David Flores' 2007 adventure film, Sands of Oblivion, combines archaeology and ancient curses in a thrilling tale of an unearthed Egyptian artifact that unleashes a malevolent force. This action-packed movie offers a fresh take on ancient curse films, making it an entertaining addition to the genre.
- 43Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto
David Robert Mitchell's 2014 horror film It Follows presents a unique spin on ancient curses, as the protagonist becomes afflicted with a supernatural menace that relentlessly pursues its victims. The film's tension and creative approach to the curse theme make it a standout entry in the world of ancient curse films.
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- 44
Manticore
A. J. Buckley, Heather Donahue, Jeff FaheyTripp Reed's 2005 monster movie Manticore revolves around a group of soldiers who must combat a deadly, ancient creature unleashed by a curse. This creature-feature injects fresh life into the ancient curse genre with its thrilling action and menacing supernatural adversary.
- 45Paul Le Mat, Irene Miracle, Matt Roe
David Schmoeller's 1989 horror film Puppet Master brings ancient curses to life through a set of murderous marionettes animated by a mystical force. This cult classic offers a unique take on the ancient curse trope, combining supernatural danger with an unsettling assortment of deadly puppets.
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- 46Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard RoxburghIn Van Helsing, legendary monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is dispatched to Transylvania. His mission? To end the reign of the sinister Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh). Aided by the courageous Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), whose family has been battling supernatural creatures for generations, Van Helsing ventures into a world filled with dark surprises. The film, a thrilling blend of horror and adventure, traverses through classic monster lore, featuring appearances from iconic characters like Frankenstein's Monster (Shuler Hensley) and the Wolf Man (Will Kemp). This action-packed journey takes viewers from eerie castles to forbidden forests, all in the name of vanquishing evil.More Van Helsing
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- 47Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara
Mark Palansky's 2006 romantic comedy Penelope breathes new life into the ancient curse genre with its whimsical tale of a young woman (played by Christina Ricci) cursed with a pig's snout for a nose. The film's enchanting blend of romance, comedy, and supernatural elements makes it a delightful addition to the world of ancient curse films.
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- 48Boyd Holbrook, Kelly Reilly, Alistair Petrie
Joel Bender's 2010 horror flick The Cursed explores the story of a family who struggles with the terrifying consequences of an ancient curse unleashed upon their home. With its chilling narrative and suspenseful atmosphere, The Cursed adds a modern spin on the haunted house trope within the realm of ancient curse films.
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- 49Aurora Perrineau, Jaden Piner, Jill Marie Jones
In Brian McNulty's 2004 horror film The Curse of Bridge Hollow, an ancient curse torments the residents of a small town, leaving a trail of unexplained deaths in its wake. This chilling tale stands as a worthy entry into the ancient curse genre, capturing audiences with its eerie atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling.
- 50Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid
Though not yet officially announced, rumors surrounding a potential sequel to 2018's The Nun suggest that audiences may be treated to another thrilling exploration of ancient curses within The Conjuring universe. The prospect of a sequel offers exciting possibilities for further delving into the dark and twisted mythology surrounding the titular supernatural entity.
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- 51A. J. Cook, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Sarah Carter
Chris Angel's 2001 film Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell further explores the sinister workings of the malevolent genie Djinn, whose cursed wishes continue to wreak havoc on the lives of unsuspecting victims. With its imaginative narrative and continuing legacy, this sequel adds depth to the world of ancient curse films.
- 52Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, Ryan Simpkins
Leigh Janiak returned to the helm of the Fear Street series in 2021 with Fear Street Part Two: 1978, offering viewers a gripping exploration of the origins of the ancient curse that plagues the town of Shadyside. With its intriguing premise and the skillful blending of slasher and supernatural elements, this sequel ensures that the Fear Street trilogy remains a landmark in the ancient curse genre.
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- 53Kiana Madeira, Ashley Zukerman, Gillian Jacobs
Concluding the Fear Street trilogy, Fear Street Part Three: 1666 (2021), directed by Leigh Janiak, takes audiences back in time to uncover the true nature and origins of the Shadyside curse. With its chilling atmosphere and engaging narrative, this film serves as a fitting finale to the saga, cementing the Fear Street trilogy's impact on the world of ancient curse films.
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- 54Harold Pinter, John Laurie, Jacqueline PearceThe Reptile is a 1966 horror film made by Hammer Film Productions. It was directed by John Gilling, and starred Noel Willman, Jacqueline Pearce, Ray Barrett, Jennifer Daniel, and Michael Ripper.
- 55Tony Cox, Barbara Alyn Woods, Arturo Gil
- 56André Morell, Roger Delgado, Michael RipperThe Mummy's Shroud is a 1967 British DeLuxe colour horror film made by Hammer Film Productions which was directed by John Gilling. It stars André Morell and David Buck as explorers who uncover the tomb of an ancient Egyptian mummy. It also starred John Phillips, Maggie Kimberly, Elizabeth Sellars and Michael Ripper as Longbarrow. Stuntman Eddie Powell played the Mummy, brought back to life to wreak revenge on his enemies. The uncredited narrator in the prologue, sometimes incorrectly assumed to be Peter Cushing, is British actor Tim Turner. It was the third of Hammer's four Mummy films, a cycle which began with The Mummy, continued with The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb, and ended with Blood from the Mummy's Tomb. It was the last to feature a bandaged mummy - the final film contained no such character. It was the final Hammer production to be made at Bray Studios, the company's home until 1967, when its productions moved to Elstree Studios and occasionally Pinewood.
- 57Christopher Lee, Peter Sallis, Roy KinnearTaste the Blood of Dracula is a British horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions and released in 1970. It stars Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, and was directed by Peter Sasdy based upon a script by Anthony Hinds. The film was released as a double bill alongside fellow Hammer production Crescendo.
- 58Ving Rhames, Ava Gaudet, Kristopher ShepardDetective John Carruthers (Ving Rhames) tracks down an ancient killer.
- 59George Peck, Ahmed Rateb, Brenda Siemer ScheiderDawn of the Mummy is a 1981 low-budget horror film directed by Frank Agrama, who also served as writer and producer on the film.
- 60Tobin Bell, Max Sandvoss, Germaine De LeonBuried Alive is a 2007 horror film starring Terence Jay, Leah Rachel, and Tobin Bell, about a group of college students stalked by a vengeful spirit during a New Mexico road trip. It was a straight-to-DVD release distributed by Dimension Extreme. This film was a Blockbuster Exclusive.
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