Most people wouldn’t think it, but the Midwest in the United States can be quite unsettling at times. Whether it’s on a gravel road with no service out in the middle of nowhere, or a small town that isn’t too friendly to newcomers, or overly friendly towns teeming with secrets, it can give off horror movie vibes.
You may be surprised at some of the classic movies that have taken place in the Midwest, so without further ado, here are a few movies that are set in the Midwest.
9Candyman
Chicago, Illinois
Set in the neighborhood of Cabrini-Green, the legend of The Candyman is quite a warning tale for parents to tell their children. But, who would have thought saying his name five times in the mirror would actually summon him and drive you to near insanity?
The story of the Candyman is tragic, after he found love in a forbidden relationship he became the victim of a lynch move, he was covered in honey and stung to death by bees. Tony Todd, who plays The Candyman, earned $23,000 alone from being stung by bees which was necessary for his backstory.
8The Crazies
Ogden Marsh, Iowa
Set in a fictional rural town in Iowa, The Crazies is a somewhat zombie-esque movie but not quite. After somecontaminationoccurs in the local water source, people begin to turn into uncontrollable murderers who will kill on-site.
The movie follows David, the sheriff of Ogden Marsh, and his wife as they figure out where to go for safety and who is potentially infected. It utilizes the ruralness of Iowa and the fear of the people who you are closest to you suddenly turning on you in the most violent of ways.
7Children Of The Corn
Gatlin, Nebraska
Children of the Corn was originally based on one ofStephen King’s short stories which shares the same name as the movie. It’s quite an unsettling story about all the children of Gatlin joining a cult to then sacrifice all of the adults. The children of the cult haunt the area, ready to make their sacrifice.
The filming of The Children of the Corn was also done in a few rural towns of Iowa. It’s considered to be one of the classic horror movies and is a must-see if you live among the cornfields.
6Halloween 1978
Haddonfield, Illinois
Halloweenis another classic horror film, but this one takes a different feel of the Midwest. While the murders and story of Michael Myers is terrifying, the town of Haddonfield takes on the homey and cozy feeling a town in the Midwest during the fall can have.
Despite the coziness of fall that has set over Haddonfield, there is still the very real threat of the masked killer. Laurie, the focus of the movie, is stalked and intimidated by Michael Myers throughout the movie. It was once an independent slasher film that has become an absolute classic.
5The Leprechaun
North Dakota
The Leprechaun is a bit of a wild goose chase of a movie, where it starts with a man stealing gold from a Leprechaun, and then said Leprechaun being locked in a box for many years. After the Leprechaun gets released, the chase begins as he wants his gold back.
The Leprechaun is quite a goofy horror movie and more fittingly, is the film was inspired by both Critters and the Lucky Charms commercial, which had influenced the creators to make the antagonist small, and a leprechaun.
4A Nightmare On Elm Street
Springwood, Ohio
A Nightmare on Elm Street is another must-see classic horror movie if you have not already. The film is set in the fictional town of Springwood, where Freddy Krueger, a vengeful spirit, haunts teenagers' dreams before murdering them.
Freddy Krueger is aclassic slasher, and arguably one of the most frightening, as he was a child murderer when he was alive, and after the parents of his victims killed him, he came back once again to kill more. He survives purely on the fear of people he encounters and is rather terrifying.
3Jennifer’s Body
Devil’s Kettle, Minnesota
Jennifer’s Body is acomedy horrormovie about two teenage girls, Jennifer and Anita who have a tricky friendship, or situationship. After a ritual that had gone wrong turned Jennifer into a demonic succubus who craves human flesh, Anita is left scrambling to save her boyfriend, Chip.
While Jennifer’s Body has its tense moments, it has its lighthearted high school moments and a few goofy stereotypical horror movie moments, like attending the school dance or sacrificing a virgin to Satan.
2It Follows
Detroit, Michigan
It Follows is set in the suburbs of Detroit and it has a very classic horror movie feeling to it. The movie follows Jay, who after having a good time with her boyfriend in the backseat of a car, becomes haunted by an entity that follows their victims at an incessant rate, while taking on the appearance of virtually anyone.
It Follows was inspired by the creator’s anxiety dreams, which is why dream logic, the concept that people can’t always use traditional means to solve their problems, was incorporated into the film.
1Monster House
Mayville, Wisconsin
Everyone knows of a creepy house or building that is haunted or just seems to stand out for unfortunate reasons. Well, DJ lives across from one. Owned by Mr. Nebbercracker, his house, lawn included, is haunted by his deceased wife’s soul, who despises kids. And don’t think that the house just sits still either, it’s willing to put up a chase.
Monster House is a timeless and charming film where DJ, along with his two friends, Chowder and Jenny, have to find a way to stop the house from hurting the unsuspecting kids who are out trick-or-treating.
