Horror Movies Based On Books

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a 1960 horror-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows Marion Crane, a young woman who steals money from her employer in order to start a new life with her boyfriend, Sam. On the run, she stops at the isolated Bates Motel, owned by the mysterious Norman Bates. Marion soon finds out that Norman is a psychopath with dangerous tendencies. Norman's mother, a former mental patient, is still very much alive and will do anything to protect her son. As Marion's stay at the motel becomes more sinister, things take a deadly turn. The film is renowned for its shock value and suspense, and is now considered a classic of the horror genre.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a classic horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel by Stephen King. It follows the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a writer who takes a job as the caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado during its off-season. He moves in with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd) who possesses a mysterious psychic power known as "the shining." While at the hotel, Jack slowly descends into madness as he is possessed by a supernatural force, while Danny is terrorized by a malevolent presence lurking in the hotel's dark hallways. The Shining is a masterpiece of psychological horror and suspense that has gone on to influence many other horror films.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley, the film stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss and tells the story of a huge man-eating great white shark that attacks the fictional seaside resort of Amity Island, prompting police chief Martin Brody to hunt it with the help of a marine biologist and a professional shark hunter. Suspenseful music and thrilling action sequences make Jaws an iconic and beloved classic of the horror genre. The film was a major success, becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time upon release, and eventually inspiring a franchise of sequels, video games, and theme park rides.

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It tells the story of a young girl, Regan MacNeil, who is possessed by a powerful demon. To save her from the demon's clutches, two priests—Father Damien Karras and Father Lankester Merrin—attempt an exorcism. Through a terrifying ordeal, the priests battle the demon for the life and soul of the young girl. The Exorcist won two Academy Awards and has become one of the most iconic and influential horror films of all time.

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a classic horror film directed by Roman Polanski and based on a novel by Ira Levin. The film follows Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, a young couple who move into a new apartment in New York City and become involved in a strange and sinister plot involving their neighbors, an elderly couple who possess mysterious powers. Rosemary soon discovers that the elderly couple are part of a cult that is determined to use her unborn child as a sacrifice to Satan in exchange for eternal youth and power. Terrified and desperate to protect her unborn baby, Rosemary must find a way to save her child from the cult's diabolical plan. The film is a psychological thriller that masterfully combines horror, suspense, and dark comedy.

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson and based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Set in 1982 Sweden, the film follows the story of a 12-year-old boy, Oskar, who is relentlessly bullied by his peers. He finds solace in his new neighbor, Eli, a mysterious girl who only comes out at night. Eli is actually a vampire, but Oskar remains oblivious to this fact for a time. As their friendship grows, Oskar discovers Eli’s true identity and helps her fight off her enemies. They eventually form a powerful bond, one that helps each of them cope with their struggles. Ultimately, Oskar’s unconditional love helps Eli confront her inner demons and find peace in her existence.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a psychological horror film directed by Rob Reiner and starring James Caan and Kathy Bates. The film follows novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by Annie Wilkes, an obsessed fan of his work. Annie takes Paul back to her home and keeps him captive, demanding he write a new novel for her following her own ideas. As Paul attempts to escape Annie's clutches, she becomes increasingly violent and desperate to make him stay, leading to a terrifying climax.

From Jack Clayton, starring Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave
Rated Not Rated

The Innocents is a 1961 British psychological horror film directed by Jack Clayton and adapted from Henry James' 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw. The film stars Deborah Kerr as a governess who is hired by a man to look after his two young children in an old country estate. However, she soon discovers that their previous governess was mysteriously murdered, and the two children are being possessed by the ghosts of her predecessor and her lover. The governess is driven to the brink of madness as she desperately attempts to protect the children from the supernatural forces that have taken them over.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette
Rated PG-13

The Birds is a 1963 horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows Melanie Daniels, a young woman from San Francisco, who travels to the coastal California town of Bodega Bay to meet a potential love interest, Mitch Brenner. Upon her arrival, however, Melanie finds herself at the center of a series of increasingly strange and violent bird attacks. As the attacks become more and more frequent, the small town's inhabitants must band together to survive against the unrelenting onslaught of birds. In the end, Melanie and Mitch are able to escape the birds, but the future of Bodega Bay remains uncertain.

From Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta
Rated R

From Robert Wise, starring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn
Rated G

From Francis Lawrence, starring Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Rated PG-13

From David Cronenberg, starring Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom
Rated R

From Frank Darabont, starring Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher
Rated R

From David Koepp, starring Kevin Bacon, Zachary David Cope, Kathryn Erbe, Illeana Douglas
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, John Houseman
Rated R

From Mikael Håfström, starring John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack, Tony Shalhoub
Rated PG-13

From John Carpenter, starring Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky
Rated R

From Bernard Rose, starring Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley, Tony Todd, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

From John Hough, starring Roddy McDowall, Gayle Hunnicutt, Pamela Franklin, Clive Revill
Rated PG

From Joe Dante, starring Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone
Rated R

From Mary Lambert, starring Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby, Fred Gwynne, Brad Greenquist
Rated R

From David Koepp, starring Johnny Depp, Maria Bello, John Turturro, Timothy Hutton
Rated PG-13

From James Watkins, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciarán Hinds, Emma Shorey
Rated PG-13

From Daniel Attias, starring Gary Busey, Everett McGill, Corey Haim, Megan Follows
Rated R