In the midst of a worldwide health crisis, you might find yourself wondering if you need more fear in your life. Well, with Halloween around the corner, the answer is a definitive yes! Fear and October evenings go hand in hand, and jump scares are a staple during this spooky season. With this in mind, we embarked on a quest to uncover some of the eeriest places in Canada—locales creepy enough to serve as backdrops for horror films.
From cult favorites and festival gems to hidden gems, noteworthy remakes, and an upcoming blockbuster, these movies feature chilling scenes filmed in various Canadian locations, from Cape Breton Island to Victoria.
Explore the list, watch the films—we’ve pinpointed some of the most spine-chilling moments (spoiler alert!)—and then compare these hair-raising scenes to their filming locations. If you dare, visit these locations in person. We’ve got you covered on nearby activities to help alleviate the tension.
**My Bloody Valentine (1981)**
An ’80s slasher classic known as “a movie made by the mentally warped for the mentally warped,” My Bloody Valentine revolves around Valentine’s Day festivities disrupted by a gas mask–clad, pickaxe-wielding serial killer.
**Filming Location:** Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island, doubles as Valentine Bluffs, the setting for this iconic horror flick. While the Princess Colliery mine, which was transformed into the movie’s Hanniger Mine, no longer exists, you can still spot shoot locations like the intersection at Clyde Avenue in town.
**Relaxation Spot:** Drive approximately 30 minutes to the Cabot Trail for a scenic route showcasing Cape Breton’s stunning fall foliage.
**Blood Quantum (2019)**
This ultra-gory Canadian zombie film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won accolades at the Canadian Screen Awards. The plot centers on an undead uprising on a Mi’kmaq reserve.
**Filming Location:** Some of Blood Quantum’s most gruesome scenes were shot on the J.C. Van Horne Bridge, connecting Pointe-à-la-Croix, Que., to Campbellton, N.B.
**Relaxation Spot:** Visit Sugarloaf Provincial Park near Campbellton for a rejuvenating one-kilometer hike with breathtaking views.
**The Thing (1982)**
In this acclaimed John Carpenter classic, a research team in Antarctica faces a parasitic alien mimicking its victims.
**Filming Location:** The Thing was filmed in various locations, including northern British Columbia near Stewart, B.C., where Outpost #31, the characters’ base, was situated.
**Relaxation Spot:** Explore the stunning Salmon Glacier, the fifth largest glacier in Canada, near the Outpost #31 area for an awe-inspiring view.
**Pet Sematary (2019)**
In this remake of Stephen King’s novel, a family discovers a pet cemetery with deadly consequences beyond its borders.
**Filming Location:** Hudson, Quebec, stands in for the fictional Ludlow, Maine, with notable spots like St. James Church and Rachel’s childhood home.
**Relaxation Spot:** Take a leisurely stroll along the Ottawa River from Jack Layton Park in Hudson.
**American Psycho (2000)**
Patrick Bateman, a homicidal narcissist, indulges in Wall Street games and murderous rampages in this dark comedy.
**Filming Location:** American Psycho was shot in New York City and Toronto, with a memorable scene at the Omni King Edward Hotel’s Consort Bar.
**Relaxation Spot:** Enjoy afternoon tea at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto.
**Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)**
The latest installment in the Ghostbusters franchise follows a family uncovering their link to the original Ghostbusters in a small town.
**Filming Location:** Ghostbusters: Afterlife was filmed across Alberta, with notable scenes in Fort Macleod.
**Relaxation Spot:** Visit the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump near Fort Macleod for history and scenic views.
**Cult of Chucky (2017)**
A fan favorite in the Child’s Play franchise, Cult of Chucky features the murderous doll wreaking havoc in a psychiatric hospital.
**Filming Location:** Winnipeg’s Millennium Centre appears as a creepy psychiatric hospital in the film.
**Relaxation Spot:** Head to Nonsuch Brewing Co. for a relaxing pint near the Millennium Centre.
**It (2017)**
The movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel follows a group of kids terrorized by the malevolent clown Pennywise.
**Filming Location:** A custom storm drain in Toronto was used for filming the iconic scene with Pennywise and Georgie.
**Relaxation Spot:** Visit Black Cat Espresso Bar in North York for coffee and baked treats after the scare.
**Red Rover (2003)**
Haunted mansions, family curses, and witches feature in Red Rover, as siblings