We’re probably not going to be up against the razor-sharp dreamwalker Freddy Krueger or fighting supernatural evil like Ash Williams in the Evil Dead series. But these horror films will look and feel—sadly—a little familiar to Iowans, either because of the plot or their setting. Enjoy these movies this Friday the 13th.th or any time you’re looking for a good scare.
‘Children of the Corn’
The Stephen King classic turns corn into something nefarious in Children of the Corn. The victims are adults in the fictional town of Gaitlin, Nebraska, where a dangerous cult and evil entity rule. The 1984 film was filmed in Whiting, Hornik and Sioux City, the Des Moines Register reported in 2014.
‘Crazy’
George A. Romero’s 1970s film Mad Men received a remake in 2010, this time set in a fictional Iowa town. The story follows a group of survivors who try to escape their small town when its inhabitants become infected and become bloodthirsty killers. One of the filming locations is Lenox in southwest Iowa, according to Travel Iowa.
“The Villisca Ax Murders”
The Villisca Ax Murders is based on a true Iowa crime that occurred over a century ago in the southwest Iowa town of Villisca. In 1912, eight people were beaten to death in their sleep in their home. The case remains unsolved.
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‘Signs’
M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” isn’t set in Iowa, but the rural farm setting will seem familiar to many. The 2002 film follows a family who encounter mysterious crop circles and other unexplained events. Can you guess who arrived at their farm? The film stars Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix and Abigail Breslin.
‘This’
In 1980, serial killer John Wayne Gacy was convicted of sexually assaulting, torturing and killing 33 boys at his Illinois home, but he has ties to Iowa. This includes living in Waterloo before moving to Illinois and serving time in an Iowa prison in 1968. Gacy also spent time dressed as a clown for fun, making Stephen King’s evil clown Pennywise feel much more grounded in reality than we’d like to believe. Check out the original 1990 miniseries starring Tim Curry or the 2017 remake starring Bill Skarsgård, Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader.
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Best Halloween Movies in Iowa for Kids
Don’t lose sleep after watching these films. It’ll be fun for kids and adults alike, without anyone having to stay up all night with the lights on.
“Hotel Transylvania” at the Flix Brewhouse
Follow Count Dracula as he tries to keep his teenage daughter safe from the man at his hotel who only caters to monsters from the animated hit. Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez lent their voices to Hotel Transylvania, the first of four films.
When: October 14 at 11:00
Location: Flix Brewery, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Suite 1300, Des Moines
“Hocus Pocus” at the Varsity Cinema
Be captivated by the Sanderson sisters, a trio of witches accidentally resurrected by a teenage boy three centuries after their deaths. The 1993 film, directed by Kenny Ortega, became an October classic.
When: October 21
Location: University Cinema, 1207 25th St. in Des Moines
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Ankeny
Tim Burton’s classic tells the story of the great Pumpkin King Jack Skellington, whose boredom in Halloweentown leads to the discovery of the dazzling Christmas Town and his nightmarish attempts to take over Christmas. The screening is part of Ankeny’s Outdoor Cinema Halloween series, with “Ghostbusters” showing on Oct. 14 and “Casper” on Oct. 21.
When: 28 of October
Location: 417 SW Third Street in Ankeny
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and the arts for the Des Moines Register. Contact her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.