Horror Movies Filmed in Utah: From Hereditary to Midsommar

7 Horror Movies Filmed in Utah

Whether you’re planning a scary film marathon or are simply curious about where your favorite horror movies were filmed, here are 7 flicks that were shot in the geographically diverse state of Utah:

1. Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary is a chilling tale that follows the Graham family. After the grandmother passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to discover cryptic and horrifying secrets about their ancestry. As the movie progresses, the Graham family is forced to outrun the demonic fate they unknowingly inherited before it’s too late.

The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and became the production company A24’s highest-grossing film then. Hereditary is often recognized as a classic horror film in the current generation, boasting disturbing visuals and imagery, several jump scares, and a broken family trying to piece themselves together. The horror movie was filmed across Salt Lake City and Summit County, including a home in the middle of the woods and West High School, where the children went to school in the film. Parts of Hereditary were also captured in a cemetery, the Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, and at a Park City, Utah studio.

2. Halloween Franchise

Since its debut in 1978, the Halloween franchise has garnered massive attention from filmmakers and fans alike. The slasher films follow serial killer Michael Myers as he stalks and murders his victims, often targeting the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois. Michael’s relentless pursuit, famed masked face, and eerie silence have made him one of horror’s most iconic villains. The franchise, known for its chilling atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling, has spawned numerous sequels, reboots, and even a few remakes over the decades, captivating generations of horror enthusiasts and cementing its place in pop culture history. Three of the thirteen Halloween movies were filmed in Northern Utah, including Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, and Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1995, 1988, 1989).

You may recognize some of these iconic filming locations in Utah from the Halloween movies:

• Michael Myer’s House: In the fifth movie, 1007 E 1st Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the Myers’ home. For the next installment of Halloween, 1926 Lincoln Street is featured as the killer’s house.
• Penney’s Gas Station: In Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Michael walks into Penney’s Gas Station, which later gets blown up. It is now Penney’s Cafe on Route 36 in Rush Valley, Utah.
• Smith’s Grove Sanitarium: The sixth movie includes Smith’s Grove Sanitarium, partially filmed at 400 E Capitol Park Avenue in Salt Lake City.
• Vincent Drug Store: Midvale, Utah, is another filming location for Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. Vincent Drug Store, located at 7696 North Main Street, is featured in the horror flick.

The Halloween franchise was filmed in the Sugar House and Avenues neighborhoods of Salt Lake City, Orem, Ogden, Layton, Tooele County, and Cottonwood Canyon.

3. Midsommar (2019)

Midsommar is another A24-produced horror movie featuring Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor. It follows a couple who travel to Sweden to visit a rural hometown’s fabled midsummer festival. What starts as an idyllic and peaceful getaway quickly turns into an increasingly violent and strange competition controlled by a pagan cult. After its release, Midsommar won multiple awards, including the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Wide-Release Film. While many critics cited its disturbing and dread-inducing atmosphere, they also praised it for the movie’s art direction, production design, and Florence Pugh’s performance.

While most horror movies were filmed in Hungary and New York City, a few shots were taken in Utah. Part of the film was captured in Sandy, just a few blocks away from the cemetery featured in Hereditary. The opening scenes also featured Salt Lake City’s Exchange Place alley and a suburban home in Draper.

4. Carnival of Souls (1962)

Carnival of Souls tells the story of a woman who mysteriously survives a fatal car crash. After the traumatic accident, she moved to Utah and took a job as a church organist. However, her fresh start is quickly interrupted by sinister occurrences; she begins having supernatural visions of a strange man, and the visions only worsen as time goes on. Eventually, she feels drawn to a deserted carnival on the city’s outskirts, and what’s to follow is even more terrifying.

This black-and-white film is the first horror film shot in Utah and has gained a tremendous cult following over the decades. Filmed throughout Northern Utah, Carnival of Souls features a historical look at the Saltair Amusement Park Pavilion. Herk Harvey, the director and writer of the movie, was inspired by the Pavilion while driving to his hometown in Kansas, and the idea for Carnival of Souls started to take shape in his imagination. Since its release, the eerie film has influenced numerous filmmakers and is known as a classic in the genre of horror.

5. Halloweentown High & Return to Halloweentown (2004, 2006)

The Halloweentown movies are Disney films that follow the Cromwell-Piper family when they enter Halloweentown, a place where supernatural beings can live a “normal” life. The films primarily follow Marnie Piper, a young witch discovering her powers and legacy, guided by her grandmother, Aggie Cromwell. Together, with the rest of their magical family, they confront villains, uncover hidden secrets, and learn valuable lessons about courage, family bonds, and embracing one’s identity. As Marnie grows and faces new challenges, she becomes a key figure in bridging the gap between Halloweentown and the human world, all while navigating her journey of self-discovery and heroism.

Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown were both filmed in Northern Utah. Filming locations for Halloweentown High included Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper, where the carnival scenes were shot. The scary movie also featured Rocky Point Haunted House (permanently closed) and Cottonwood Mall (demolished in 2008) in Holladay. Return to Halloweentown was filmed throughout Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo.

6. The Stand (1994)

A film adaption of Stephen King’s 1978 novel, The Stand is an American TV miniseries about a deadly plague that kills most of the world’s population. The remaining survivors split into two groups, one led by an evil-minded being and the other by a benevolent elder. The Stand follows the two groups as they face each other in a classic battle between good and evil. The TV series won two Emmy awards and garnered massive attention from filmmakers and fans nationwide.

The Stand was filmed in Ogden, Pleasant Grove, Midvale, Salt Lake City, Lehi, Magna, Cedar Fort, and Tooele, Utah. A few shots were captured at Colorado’s Garden of the Gods, New York City, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas.

7. Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Following the release of one of the most profitable and famous horror movies ever made, Exorcist II: The Heretic follows a now-teenage Regan MacNeil as she undergoes therapy to recover from her past possession. Aided by experimental hypnosis, she and a troubled priest, Father Philip Lamont, uncover lingering supernatural influences tied to her exorcism and the mysterious death of Father Merrin. Unlike its predecessor, the sequel delves into psychological and metaphysical themes, but its departure from the original’s tone was met with mixed reactions from audiences and critics.

While some of the filming for Exorcist II took place in New York City and Arizona, a few scenes were filmed in Utah. In this psychological horror movie, you’ll spot Utah’s Glen Canyon and Lake Powell.

Produce a Horror Movie Filmed in Utah With Avalanche Studios

Do you want to create a horror movie that leaves audiences chilled to the bone and panicked as they drive home? Avalanche Studios’ team can help. Our crew of scriptwriters, directors, and filmmakers help creatives bring their stories to life, whether it’s a scary tale or a hopeful drama piece. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, we enjoy utilizing our beautiful surroundings to bring your vision to life. 

We provide comprehensive video production services for filmmakers, ensuring your movie resonates with audiences and appropriately shares the story you’ve ideated. Request a quote from our team to start working on your next scary film with our expertise!