New Jersey
Watching scary movies on Halloween? These films have New Jersey connections
Margate resident transforms home into a Halloween haunted mansion to promote joy, unity
Margate resident Ari Goldberger transformed his home into an haunted mansion for Halloween to promote joy and unity.
As Halloween comes creeping around the corner, a scary movie night may be in order to set the monstrous mood.
And if you look closely, you may spot some familiar frights in your favorite flicks. The Garden State has hosted many different horror films since the 1978 inception of the NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission, according to nj.gov.
Have you seen them? Read on for some tantalizing titles and a sneak peek into their IMDb info.
‘The Amityville Horror’ (1979)
Ready to start a new chapter of their lives, newlyweds in “The Amityville Horror” move their young family into what they believe to be a charming home.
A paranormal presence, however, soon causes them their worst nightmares.
The movie, starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, is based on the 1977 book by Jay Ansen, which tells the story of the real-life Lutz family’s paranormal experiences in a home where a murder previously occurred.
While this tale is set in Long Island, many shots were filmed in New Jersey, including the film’s iconic poster-worthy house located in Toms River.
Other locations include Georgian Court University and Point Pleasant, according to IMDb.
‘Friday the 13th’ (1980)
Summer camp is all fun and games until a killer is involved in “Friday the 13th.”
Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King and Jeannine Taylor star in this teen slasher with a familiar, hockey-mask-wearing antagonist at Camp Crystal Lake.
Better yet, New Jersey’s Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco was the stage for this movie.
‘The Prowler’ (1981)
An unknown killer is terrorizing a college graduation dance in the 1981 horror thriller “The Prowler” from the director of “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” Joseph Zito.
“The Prowler” may be set in a California town, but much of the filming took place in South Jersey’s very own Cape May.
Locals will notice that the graduation dance hall is actually the Inn of Cape May, with other properties in the town disguising themselves as the college dormitory and Major Chatham’s house.
If you look closely enough, you may spot that the bridge and gazebo in the film are really the Seaville United Methodist Church.
‘Creepshow’ (1982)
This classic may feature five gruesome vignettes from a kids’ comic book, but don’t let “Creepshow” fool you; it’s still rated R.
Written by Stephen King, this film stars Hal Holbrook, Leslie Nielson and Adrienne Barbeau.
And keep an eye out for a familiar beach — “Something to Tide You Over” was filmed in Ocean County.
‘Cat’s Eye’ (1985)
Another Stephen King anthology, “Cat’s Eye” follows a feline perspective as the titular cat dodges various unsettling situations to go protect a little girl.
Some may recognize a young Drew Barrymore in this PG-13 flick, which was partly filmed in Atlantic City.
‘Desecration’ (1999)
“Desecration” is a bewilderingly biblical psychological horror that follows 16-year-old Bobby into the depths of hell after he accidentally causes the death of a nun.
With gruesome costuming and an unsettling plot line, this unrated horror film was shot in Bedminster.
‘Sleepaway Camp IV: The Survivor’ (2002)
In “Sleepaway Camp IV: The Survivor,” this fourth installment of a slasher series, Carrie Chambers’s Allison Kramer returns to camp in an attempt to remember and unravel the massacre that occurred there years ago.
But the killing doesn’t stay buried in the past.
Comprised of archived and updated footage, this early 2000s flick includes sets in the Garden State.
South Jersey mom converts home into haunted house for autistic son
Lisa DeMario converted her home into a haunted house to benefit her 10-year-old autistic son, Jason. The haunted house, located at 400 Elder St. in Northfield, NJ, will be open to the public from 1-5:30 p.m. during Saturdays in October. The price of admission is $3.
’13th Child: The Legend of the Jersey Devil’ (2002)
Obviously, “13th Child: The Legend of the Jersey Devil” from directors Thomas Ashley and Steven Stockage is an ode to the creepy creature said to be lurking in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
When people are being gruesomely murdered, a district attorney’s assistant must investigate to find out if there’s a human culprit or something much more sinister.
Not only does this movie explore the legend of a New Jersey icon, it’s filmed in the state as well. Watch closely and you may notice that this mystery thriller was shot at the Batsto State Historic Site in Hammonton.
‘The Village’ (2004)
“The Village” centers on a small countryside town with an ominous wood sitting just on its border and instructions never to enter for fear of the monsters that live within it. So what happens when life in the village suddenly goes awry?
While this Shyamalan movie takes place in Pennsylvania, parts of the film were shot in Salem County’s Pedricktown, specifically a stunt scene when the character Ivy is almost run over by a truck as well as a gas station scene.
Watch closely and see if you can spot a cameo from Shyamalan.
‘Satan’s Playground’ (2006)
Again, set in the Jersey Pine Barrens, “Satan’s Playground” follows a family vacation gone awry when the Jersey Devil shows up.
This movie was shot in Whitesbog.
‘I Am Legend’ (2007)
What would you do if you were the last person in New York City… with (zombie-ish) monsters?
Will Smith stars in “I Am Legend,” a dystopian zombie horror with some scenes shot in West Amwell and Mount Airy.
‘iMurders’ (2008)
In the unrated mystery horror”iMurders,” a group of online friends are killed one after another.
Follow along as the plot thickens, and keep an eye out for scenes shot in the Garden State.
‘Torture Chamber’ (2013)
What could be a better Halloween watch than the classic demonic possession?
In “Torture Chamber,” a possessed boy has escaped an asylum, and he’s has murderous tendencies that the clergy must stop.
IMDb lists this movie with production locations in Maplewood.
‘Jersey Shore Massacre’ (2014)
Yes, like that Jersey Shore.
Filmed in Newton, Sparta and Woodbridge, “Jersey Shore Massacre” bears an uncanny resemblance to the antics of everyone’s favorite Jersey-Italians, the cast of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” reality show.
After a vacation to Seaside Heights goes awry, this crew finds themselves relocated to the Pine Barrens for a terrifying night.
And yes, there is cheetah print, hair poofs and plenty of fist pumping.
‘The Unborn’ (2020)
Two security guards face an eerie night in “The Unborn,” a horror film set in an old factory.
The plot grows more complicated as a secret love unfolds and an unborn child becomes caught in the sinister mix.
‘Army of the Dead’ (2021)
“Army of the Dead” may take place in Las Vegas, but it’s got some filming credits at the Showboat in Atlantic City.
In this twist on the classic post-apocalyptic zombie thriller, one ambitious team takes a life-risking run into the quarantined city for a multimillion-dollar payout.
‘Smile’ (2022)
Contrary to the title, “Smile” is not a happy Halloween film.
Shot in multiple Garden State locations such as North Arlington, Jersey City and Elizabeth, this movie follows a psychiatrist’s haunting run-in with a sinister curse.
‘Goodnight Mommy’ (2022)
In “Goodnight Mommy,” twins Elias and Lukas arrive at their estranged mother’s house hoping to reconnect, but they soon start to feel that something is wrong.
Full of unpredictable twists, Naomi Watts stars alongside Carmen and Nicholas Crovetti in this dramatic psychological thriller, filmed partially in Bedminster.
‘Insidious: The Red Door’ (2023)
“Insidious: The Red Door” is the fifth and final installment of a frightening franchise that follows the Lambert family once again as they must return to “The Further.”
And, you guessed it, the film shot in Morristown.
‘Knock at the Cabin’ (2023)
Would you sacrifice a family member to save the world from an impending apocalypse? “Knock at the Cabin” from M. Night Shyamalan dives into a family’s worst nightmare with psychological thrills, and the location may feel familiar.
Parts of the film were shot in Burlington County’s Tabernacle Township, according to multiple sources, and Southampton’s Evergreen Dairy Bar even took on a role as “Angie’s Roadside Diner” for the thriller.
‘The Zombie Wedding’ (2023)
“The Zombie Wedding” is a recent flick that has South Jersey written all over it. No, actually — Vineland’s Weekly World News Studios fronted this film with tons of the city’s scenery.
The film centers around the first-ever wedding between a living and zombie couple, and all of the comedic nonsense that takes place as the nuptials unfold, including coverage from WWN reporters.
Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.