Top 10 Louisiana Horror Movies: Bayou Haunts and Voodoo Thrills

Louisiana, with its rich history, eerie swamps, and supernatural folklore, has inspired many memorable horror films. Let's take a look at some of the best horror movies Louisiana has to offer...

Top 10 Louisiana Horror Movies

Before we get to the Top 10 Louisiana Horror Movies, let's take a look at a few Honorable Mentions.

Swamp Women (1956)

Night Trap (1993)

The Feast of the Assumption: The Otero Family Murders (2003)

Cold Moon (2016)

The Bayou (2004)

Below are the "Top 10 Louisiana Horror Movies" to get fired up and streaming this Halloween season!

1. The Skeleton Key (2005)

Plot: Set in the eerie bayous of Louisiana, this psychological horror film follows a hospice nurse who gets caught up in the world of Hoodoo while caring for a patient in a crumbling mansion.

Why it's great: It captures the mystique and history of New Orleans and the surrounding swampy areas, tapping into local Hoodoo traditions and Southern Gothic ambiance.

2. Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

Plot: The sequel to the original Candyman, this movie takes place in New Orleans, where the legend of the Candyman terrorizes the city during Mardi Gras.

Why it's great: With New Orleans as its backdrop, this installment blends urban legend horror with the city’s ghostly lore and lively traditions.

3. Eve’s Bayou (1997)

Plot: This Southern Gothic drama mixes psychological and supernatural elements, set in 1960s Louisiana. It tells the story of a young girl who witnesses disturbing family secrets and seeks help from a local witch.

Why it's great: Though not a conventional horror film, Eve’s Bayou blends haunting atmospheres with deep and emotional family tension while exploring voodoo themes and Creole culture.

4. The Beyond (1981)

Plot: An Italian horror classic by Lucio Fulci, this film is set in a cursed hotel in rural Louisiana that happens to be one of the seven gateways to hell.

Why it's great: Known for its surreal and gory visuals, The Beyond stands out for its strange and nightmarish atmosphere, with the Louisiana setting adding to its supernatural aura.

5. Hatchet (2006)

Plot: This slasher film is set in the Louisiana swamps, where a group of tourists gets trapped in the domain of the deformed and vengeful Victor Crowley, a local legend.

Why it's great: Hatchet has become a cult classic for fans of over-the-top gore and monster horror, with the Louisiana swamp setting playing a major role in the atmosphere and scares.

6. Venom (2005)

Plot: Set in the Louisiana bayou, this film follows a group of teenagers who are hunted by a man possessed by evil voodoo spirits.

Why it's great: Venom draws heavily on voodoo lore and uses the bayou setting to create a tense and creepy atmosphere.

7. The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Plot: A more family-friendly option, based on the Disney theme park attraction, where a real estate agent and his family become trapped in a haunted mansion in Louisiana.

Why it's great: While more of a comedy-horror, the setting in a grand, decaying Southern mansion and its connection to New Orleans culture makes it a fun, spooky watch.

8. Angel Heart (1987)

Plot: A supernatural movie set in 1950s New Orleans, where a private detective uncovers occult secrets while investigating a missing person case.

Why it's great: This film blends detective noir with dark, satanic horror, set against the backdrop of the French Quarter and voodoo mysticism, adding a chilling psychological edge.

9. The Resurrected (1991)

Plot: A lesser-known horror gem, this adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward follows a modern-day necromancer in Louisiana who is experimenting with raising the dead.

Why it's great: With its atmospheric portrayal of rural Louisiana, this movie combines supernatural terror with classic horror storytelling.

10. Southern Gothic (2007)

Plot: In a small Louisiana town, a former preacher must battle a group of vampires who terrorize the local population.

Why it's great: A dark, gritty take on vampire lore with a Southern Gothic twist, featuring a heavy focus on Louisiana’s small-town vibe.