Living in Los Angeles must be a mixed bag. On one hand, it's a hotspot for the glitz and glamour of some of the most famous movies and TV shows. On the other hand, it's also a hotspot for some of the creepiest locations used in horror films, which surely does wonders for the sleep schedules of anyone living nearby.
Well, to help deal with that inevitable sleeplessness, here's a little primer on some of the most recognizable places from the horror genre, all located conveniently around the city of angels.
Halloween
First up is Michael Myers' house from 1978's Halloween. Located at 1000 Mission St. in South Pasadena, this legendary abode looks much less imposing in person. That probably has something to do with how the film was shot in such a way to make it seem a bit bigger than it actually is. Though it may or may not also be affected by the lack of a murderous psychopath. It's also been fixed up since its original appearance. Eager fans would be advised to adopt a "look but don't touch" policy.
Nightmare on Elm Street
Up next is a rather prolific high school known from 1984's Nightmare on Elm Street and many others. Head to 3939 Tracy St. in Los Angeles to find John Marshall High School, famously repurposed as Springwood High School in the famous slasher flick. But this recognizable campus has a bit of a history beyond that. Appearing in films from 1978's Grease all the way to the 2007 Nickelodeon show iCarly, this building is a more seasoned veteran than possibly Robert Englund himself.
Poltergeist
Back to another more specialized location, this house at 4267 Roxbury St. in L.A.'s Simi Valley suburb had its claim to fame with the 1982 horror classic Poltergeist. Luckily, the house is still around, contrary to what the film might suggest, so it's another excellent stop in any horror fan's pilgrimage. Don't worry, onlookers from the outside should have nothing to fear from malicious spirits, though maybe a few steps back wouldn't be a terrible idea.
Thriller
Finally, this last one sets itself apart from the rest in its own way. Anyone venturing to 1345 Carroll Ave. in L.A. will find this particularly striking little Victorian house used in the iconic music video for Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Jackson's girlfriend attempts to take shelter in this very building following the video's famous and ridiculously cool zombie dance, making it a perfect sightseeing location for horror and music fans alike.
Naturally, a city like Los Angeles is home to a multitude of similar locations that couldn't all fit in one list. Anyone still interested can head over to Variety for some more horror goodness. Hey, looks like sleep isn't in the cards tonight anyway, so why not roll with it?
Source: Variety