Too close to home? 4 horror movies with Michigan connections

There’s always a Michigan connection.

There’s a long list of TV shows, movies and books with Michigan ties. Many of the most famous writers had some connection to the Great Lakes state. Heck, Ernest Hemingway’s family had a cottage Up North.

Recommended Videos



Related: 8 of the most haunted places in Michigan

Since it's October, we decided to take a look at some horror movies with Michigan connections.

The Evil Dead - 1981

The 1981 cult classic horror film, written and directed by Royal Oak native Sam Raimi, is based around the story of four Michigan State University students taking a trip together.

The movie was originally supposed to be set in Michigan, but eventually moved to rural Tennessee.

The film premiered at the Redford Theatre, because the movie's lead actor, Bruce Campbell, used to see movies there as a kid. Campbell is also from Royal Oak and attended Western Michigan University.

The sequel, "Evil Dead 2," shot some of the film in the Detroit-area.

Where to watch it: The Evil Dead is available on Amazon Prime and HBO Max.

Scream 4 - 2011

The fourth installment of the "Scream" series, directed by Wes Craven, was released in 2011 and was filmed in Michigan.

The film, starring David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Emma Roberts, Alison Brie and Courteney Cox), centered around the 15th anniversary of the original massacre.

Filming for the movie took place in Plymouth, Livonia, Ann Arbor and Dearborn. The former 16th District Court in Livonia was used as the town's police station.

If you're familiar with Downtown Plymouth -- the film features several wide shots showing the main square near the Penn Theater.

Where to watch it: “Scream 4” is available on Paramount+

It Follows - 2014

This lower-budget horror flick made waves with an unknown cast and original storyline.

"It Follows" had a $2 million budget and made more than $20 million at the box office. The movie was directed by David Robert Mitchell, a Clawson native.

The film follows the story of a group of students being pursued by a supernatural creature after a sexual encounter.

It was shot around the Detroit-area, including scenes at the Packard Plant, the old Northville Psychiatric Hospital, the Redford Theatre and Clawson High School.

Where to watch it: “It Follows” is available on Netflix and Google Play for rental.

Don't Breathe - 2016

This 2016 horror flick starring Jane Levy is set in Detroit, although it was shot in Hungary. With Sam Raimi on the producer list, there was sure to be some type of Michigan connection.

The film follows three Detroit friends who get trapped inside a blind man's house after breaking in.

There were some views of Detroit filmed for the movie, but none of the scenes were shot in the city.

The film was well-received and made more than $150 million at the box office.

Where to watch it: It’s available right now on Amazon Prime and Peacock.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.