This week on our podcast we talked to David Hood aka Cinemonster. David has been hosting an annual challenge to watch 31 horror movies in the month leading up to Halloween. In addition to some recommendations for new horror movies to watch, David gave us an overview of Pittsburgh’s horror movie history.
Meet the Pittsburgher who runs a challenge to watch and review 31 horror films between Sept. 15 and Oct. 31 ➡️ https://t.co/gh7qt51MjB. pic.twitter.com/x3ADz51krQ
— Very Local PGH (@VeryLocalPGH) October 28, 2020
George Romero attended Carnegie Mellon University and worked in film and television. Romero filmed “Night of the Living Dead” outside of Pittsburgh in 1968. Many of the folks who first worked with Romero went on to make film horror movies in Western Pennsylvania.
Night of The Living Dead (1968)
Fun fact: Due to an error, this film was distributed without a copyright notice. The film has been in the public domain since it was released.
WATCH: Amazon Prime
The Crazies (1973)
This George Romero film was shot in Evans City and Zelienople.
WATCH: Amazon Prime, Tubi (free with ads)
Martin (1978)
Martin was filmed in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
WATCH: Martin is not currently streaming. You can purchase a DVD or VHS on Amazon.
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
This is the movie that put Monroeville Mall on the horror movie map.
WATCH: Not currently streaming. The DVD is available on Amazon.
Effects (1979)
Filmed in Ligonier, this film was made by Dusty Nelson, Pasquale Buba, and John Harrison who worked together on Romero’s “Martin.”
WATCH: Not currently streaming. The DVD is available on Amazon.
Midnight (1982)
WATCH: Not currently streaming. The DVD is available on Amazon.
Creepshow (1982)
The screenplay for “Creepshow” was written by Steven King.
WATCH: Amazon Prime
Day of the Dead (1985)
While much of the film was shot in Florida, scenes were filmed in a mine shaft in Wampum (Beaver County).
WATCH: Amazon Prime, Tubi (free with ads)
Monkey Shines
Based on the novel by Michael Stewart, Romero filmed “Monkey Shines” in Pittsburgh around Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
WATCH: Amazon
The Dark Half (1993)
A film version of Steven King’s novel, Romero shot this film at Washington & Jefferson College.
WATCH: Amazon Prime
Flesheater (1988)
This movie didn’t get great reviews but is notable because it was created by Bill Hinzman who starred in the first “Night of the Living Dead.”
WATCH: Not currently streaming. The DVD is available on Amazon.
Two Evil Eyes (1990)
This film, based on works of Edgar Allan Poe, is set in Pittsburgh. Scenes were filmed in Le Mardi Gras, a bar on a side street in Shadyside.
WATCH: Amazon
Night of the Living Dead (1990)
A remake of the original classic, also shot in Western, Pennsylvania.
WATCH: Amazon
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Fun act: The house used in this movie is located in Fayette County and is currently for sale. The cage scene was filmed at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland.
WATCH: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Showtime
Blood Sucking Pharaohs from Pittsburgh (1991)
This film was filmed in Lawrenceville in the late 80s.
WATCH: Stream for free on The Film Detective
Innocent Blood (1992)
WATCH: Amazon
Diabolique (1996)
WATCH: Amazon
Stigmata (1999)
WATCH: Amazon
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Much of this film was shot around Kittanning and Pittsburgh.
WATCH: Amazon Prime
My Bloody Valentine (2009)
Scenes were filmed in Kittanning, Ford City, Oakmont and Natrona Heights.
WATCH: Amazon
Staunton Hill (2009)
WATCH: Amazon
Homecoming (2009)
WATCH: Amazon Prime
River of Darkness (2011)
WATCH: Amazon Prime
Transylvanian Curse [aka Kantemir] (2015)
WATCH: Amazon
More Pittsburgh horror movie resources
VisitPA has put together a Horror Film Trail of some of the spots where these movies were filmed around Western Pennsylvania.
7 Rom-coms filmed in Pittsburgh
If horror isn’t your genre of choice, you might like one of these romantic comedies that were filmed in Pittsburgh.
